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Roxy Music Fail to Inspire at London's Lovebox

London's Victoria Park has been both a blessing and a curse when it comes to live music. A beautiful location set amongst trees and open spaces, the prohibitively low volume levels imposed on the main stage have proved to be the undoing of many a band over the years. Roxy Music's headline slot at Lovebox on Saturday -- the band's first London gig in five years -- was also hampered courtesy of a set that flew in the face of what a Saturday night should be all about; fun.

While the soundmen struggled to make some sense of the audio levels, Roxy Music's set failed to ignite despite presenting gems such as 'Re-make/Re-modell' and 'Ladytron.' As the sound of the crowd drowned out Roxy Music's efforts, 'Song for Europe' and 'In Every Dream Home a Heartache' simply became so much background noise with a sizeable amount of the audience voting with their feet and heading for the exit signs.

Yet Lovebox proved to be a treasure chest in other places. Over at the Gaymer's stage, Yeasayer's blend of psychedelia, Afro-rhythms and 21st Century pop effortlessly won over a crowd eager to party. '2080' struck home early while 'Madder Red,' 'Ambling Alp' and a celebratory 'O.N.E.' displayed why 2010 will have this magnificent band's fingerprints all over it.

Also stepping up to the plate to claim a major victory were Wild Beasts. With a set weighted in favour of their last album, 2009's 'Two Dancers,' the band took ownership of the main stage with a confidence that was infectious. and by the time 'All the King's Men' dropped, any doubts that may have lingered soon gave way to surrender and appreciation.

Elsewhere, These New Puritans' post-punk was given a boost in the shape of a brass duo and a two-pronged drum attack that propelled 'We Want War' to new heights.

Depending on which side one fought during the post-punk years largely determined the enjoyment of Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes' appearance during Mark Ronson's set on the main stage, and the unconvinced made with great haste to the Rizla arena for Grandmaster Flash's adventures on the wheels of steel.

Beat-driven, urgent and creating the ultimate party atmosphere, this was everything that a Saturday night should be about and an event that knocked the memory of Roxy Music's turgid return into a cocked hat.

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June-Durham

Well I love love love Roxy...but after seeing them on Jonathon Ross on Friday oh dear...time to hang up the mics boys...ooops sorry men....please leave the memouries of this fabulous band good... not saddened by 'has beens' please....not the kind of music to be played by old men... this music was retro and rebelious leave it alone for what it stood for...now please xx

July 20 2010 at 4:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Keith

SO.. sound level controls/limiting strikes again!! Live bands cannot play below a certain level.. only pre recorded acts can.. I dont think kids realise much of the bassy stuff they like IS pre recorded.. Jordan admits hers is recorded..but any decent band.. I know musos who now refuse to play in any venue with sound limiters.. less work, but they ARE a waste of time. When the crowd/surrounding noise is louder than that from the stage.. theres something wrong.. blame the authorities. Most set ups are `wrong` anyway.

July 19 2010 at 8:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
stevie glam

DONT LIKE CHEAPSKATE COMPANYS THAT PUT ADDS ON BLOG SITES ARE THEY AS CHEAP WITH THERE CUSTOMERS (I THINK MAYBE SO)

July 19 2010 at 6:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to stevie glam's comment
tarcs

hey kid do as I do and report the cheapskates that's what the...!...is for :)

July 19 2010 at 7:33 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Paul Wilson

Hi

I went to Lovebox specifically to see Roxy Music being a long term fan (Saw them first in 1972).
The sound was appalling. As the commenter says they played all their ‘classics’ but the sound was flat and very low. We were quite near the front but I could still hear the bass beat from the Rizla stage. The same applied for Mark Ronson’s set.
I saw the Who in Hyde Park a few years ago and the sound was superb.
What’s the point of having an outside festival if you can’t hear the music.

July 19 2010 at 6:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply