Robyn Hitchcock Breaks His Festival Exile

Posted on Jun 19th 2009 2:00PM by Benjy Eisen
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Robyn Hitchcock is one of the forebear of modern-day indie rock but he's not exactly a festival guy. In fact, his appearance at Bonnaroo last week (where he was backed by the Venus 3, featuring members of R.E.M.), was just the second festival he's ever been to. Or so he claims.

"This is the first festival I've really been to since seeing Jimi Hendrix at the Isle of Wright in 1970," he tells Spinner. With his typical self-deprecating sense of humor -- we think that's what it is, anyway -- he recalls that after the massive Isle of Wright festival, as a performer he "decided to take a different tact and wherever there were going to be lots of people I'd be naught," says Hitchcock. "And, 40 years later, I'm beginning to reconsider my game. Should I do more public appearances where there are people? A lot of my colleagues in show business have answered with a vigorous nod -- 'Yes, Robin, play in front of an audience.'"

So Robin Hitchcock and the Venus 3 did indeed take the stage, to massive applause and in front of thousands, last weekend at Bonnaroo -- a festival that in many ways is as significant today as Isle of Wright was in 1970.

"Hendrix was better than he thought he was because neither Hendrix nor the rest of us realized that he'd be dead in three weeks," says Hitchcock, remembering his experience at that fabled fest. "He was like an animal trying to tear itself out of a cage ... and it was great. I'm sure he'll be back soon."

We're not so sure about that, Robyn. But we do hope that you'll be back soon -- in other words, don't make us wait 40 more years to see you at Coachella.