Glastonbury: Metallica and London Grammar

Posted on July 1, 2014 by John S

What a weekend of TV it was, with the World Cup and Glastonbury festival vying for attention. Not to mention Wimbledon, though I tend to steer clear of that these days. Have to find some time for writing!

I’ve never been to Glastonbury for the festival, though I know the area well, having spent quite a few New Years in place nearby, with lots of walks up to the Tor and treks around the local countryside. It is THE festival, at least in the UK, and the variety of music and experiences always looks astounding. This year was no exception: from the country nostalgia of Dolly Parton, to the thunderous riffing of new band Royal Blood. From the pop/dance/ classical mash ups of Clean Bandit, to the strutting, pounding electro-rock of Kasabian, there was so much to enjoy. And with the BBC live-streaming most of the top bands on the iPlayer, you could choose what to watch at home like never before.

So what was all the fuss over Metallica all about? First metal band ever to headline Glastonbury. Lots of prominent people suggesting they weren’t right for Glasto’s mild-mannered folk. Now it’s true that the default options for the Pyramid Stage headliners are white indie guitar rock and rock nostalgia, but Beyonce and Jay Z have both done their bit in recent years, and the essence of the festival is that there is room for anything and everything. Except metal, it seems. Royal Blood and Drenge, banging out riffs straight from the school of hard rock, OK. But add a bit of humour, or big hair, or lyrics about warriors and wizards, or hard loving’ women, or piercing solos from Gibson flying Vs, and you are off the menu. Reading or Sonisphere or Donington is for you.

How strange.

So of course I had to watch Metallica live, out of solidarity, as much as anything else. I even turned over from Colombia v Uruguay for the privilege. And yes they rocked. In a crunching, power-driving way that just doesn’t exist in any other genre. They seemed to triumph, though I’m not sure the crowd reaction was as spontaneous as it will be at Sonisphere, or as it would be in the Maracana, Rio de Janeiro. They played a set of old favourites – hits would be the wrong word – which could not be faulted. They omitted “The Day That Never Comes”, but did delight us with their cover of Thin Lizzy’s “Whisky In The Jar”. That one reminded me that my favourite Metallica album remains the double CD of covers, “Garage Inc”. Strange perhaps, but I love the variety, the awesome takes on familiar songs, and the demonstration of their roots, which lie in punk and 70s rock as well as metal. I sometimes find straight-out Metallica a bit hard to take after a few songs, so relentless is the riffing. There was a little bit of that at Glasto: melodies were in snatches, maybe in an opening guitar solo, before the piledriver kicked in again.

But Metallica did the job. The greatest metal band (I’m not defining Led Zep as metal here) brought their sound to Glastonbury and showed they have a place in the family. Next year, Black Sabbath? That would hit the 70s nostalgia button too…

In complete contrast – the wonder of Glastonbury – the other performance I watched all the way through was the closer on the John Peel stage on Sunday night, London Grammar. Their album, “If You Wait”, was one of my favourites from 2013, the song “Strong” the absolute highlight in a collection of hauntingly beautiful ballads, embellished by an element of electronica, but often with just a simple piano. Above all the amazing voice of Hannah Reid. All of those things captivated the crowd at Glastonbury and made the concert a real celebration. It felt spiritual. I watched it on the computer in a fading light. As darkness fell, it felt ever more soulful, ethereal. It was incredibly uplifting, moving. And that was just on the telly! Hannah was dressed in jeans and trainers, as befits Glastonbury, but there was nothing casual about her singing. It sounded like the most important show of her life.

So, if I had to say which performance had the most impact on me, I’d have to say London Grammar. But which had the most impact on Glastonbury: it would have to be Metallica.

Doors opened?

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Sportsthoughts (110) – World Cup reflections, day 15

Posted on June 27, 2014 by John S

Actually, it’s day 16, but there’s no football. No football! What is happening? It’s OK, it starts again tomorrow. Just a day’s break after the conclusion of the group stages. So a good time to reflect.

Except the whole thing has been hijacked by the Luis Suarez affair. His third biting incident. The Uruguayans are claiming it’s some kind of English and Italian conspiracy. Only problem is, the cameras show quite clearly, he bit Chiellini.  You are not allowed to bite people in football matches! I do feel a bit sorry for Suarez, because he clearly has a problem. He is a fantastic footballer, as we saw in the Premier League this season. He won the footballer of the year awards both from his fellow professionals and the journos – even though he was suspended for six games at the beginning of the season… for biting.

I suspect his future now lies in Spain rather than England. He clearly has a paranoia about the English media, which came out after the two goals he scored for Uruguay against England. They effectively knocked us out of the World Cup. A revenge, whose pleasure he couldn’t hide.

So he has been banned for 9 competitive international games and 4 months of football. That means that if he stays at Liverpool, he misses the first nine games of the season. A big blow. Chiellini has come out today to say he thinks the ban is excessive, but he had no hesitation in displaying the alleged bite marks after the game. The ban feels about right to me, given the previous.

But moving away from Suarez, what about the other world superstars? How have they done in this World Cup? Well, Messi and Neymar have been pretty good, scoring vital goals for their teams – Argentina and Brazil – which have helped the teams top their groups despite some pretty average performances. It means that the final could be Brazil v Argentina, if they both progress. That would be immense. They haven’t been the best teams yet, but I suspect that both will get their acts together and progress at least to the semi finals.

That leaves Ronaldo. Clearly unfit, but still the big hope for Portugal. In the games I saw, he looked forlorn, but still produced moments of magic that gave his team a chance, notably the superb cross that produced a Portugal equaliser against the USA in the fifth minute of added-on time. A shame he couldn’t dazzle. But he was a star in a pretty mediocre team that only scraped into the finals through the play offs. It told in the end.

From the European perspective, this World Cup has been a bit of a disaster. Spain, Portugal, Italy and, er…England, all eliminated before the knock-out phase. So, it’s being played in South America – and South (and Central) American teams are doing well. No surprise really. Colombia, led by the excellent James Rodriguez, look very exciting. They have Uruguay in the last 16. It could be close, but Uruguay, sans Suarez, may struggle. Chile have looked impressive, but they have Brazil in the 16. They’ve had a few good results against Brazil in recent years, so we can’t rule out the most seismic of shocks. Costa Rica topped England’s group (which I predicted completely the wrong way round) and now have Greece, who only got through via an outrageous penalty decision against Ivory Coast.  The Central Americans can win that one. Mexico face Holland. I’m bound to fancy the Dutch for that one.

What of the remaining European challenge? Well, there are four serious candidates: Belgium, France, Holland and Germany.

Belgium got nine points in a relatively weak group. They showed resilience by winning games late on, after subs had come on. But it feels to me that they are on the edge. They may beat the USA, but I can’t see them going much further.

France were really impressive when they beat Switzerland 5-2. Cabaye controlled midfield, Valbuena was incisive on the right and Benzema and Giroud looked strong up front. They look to be united under Didier Deschamps’ management, which is a big plus, given recent French history. How good are they? Hard to tell, as they were in such a weak group. If they can beat Nigeria, which I guess they will, they could be set up for a clash with Germany in the quarters. That will bring back memories!

Holland have probably been the best team in the group stages, given that their group was THE group of death. Their thrashing of Spain has been the definitive result of this World Cup so far. They have been vibrant – with Robben on fire – and solid when they have needed to be. So far, they don’t seem to have fallen out with each other. History, though, tells us that that could happen at any time! They should beat Mexico, and that will take them through to a quarter final against Costa Rica or Greece. Luck of the draw. No excuses not to reach the semis, where Argentina – or Belgium – may await.

And so to Germany. My team now. I wrote about them earlier. They have strengths in all departments. Thomas Muller is sneaking into those spaces and scoring as freely as Messi and Neymar (and Benzema and Rodriguez).  They ought to beat Algeria easily, although the Algerians did play really well against South Korea. That quarter final against France will be awesome. And if they get through that it will probably be Brazil in the semis.

There have been so many surprises in this World Cup that you can’t just make the obvious assumptions. My thoughts above do assume the traditionally top nations – those left – will assert themselves as the tournament progresses. But it is not a given. Colombia could upset everyone. Nigeria could finally fulfil their immense potential. Greece could bore their way to another success, following that European triumph in 2004 (please, no!).

But right now, although I’m with the Germans, I think we may be heading for a Brazil-Argentina final. And how extraordinary would that be?

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lovelondonscenes – 61

Posted on June 27, 2014 by John S

I’m working down by Millbank now and walk most days from Pimlico station to the office. Cutting through the courtyard of Chelsea Arts College (not in Chelsea) I come upon this scene, which I rather like.

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Sportsthoughts (109) – World Cup reflections, day 8

Posted on June 20, 2014 by John S

 

OK, let’s get this over with.

Uruguay 2 England 1. Beaten by two goals from half fit but world class striker Luis Suarez. Both defensive errors but also superb technique in the finish.

The players did their best. Not sure they were set up in the right way. The four forwards – Welbeck, Sturridge, Sterling, Rooney – didn’t do enough of their midfield duties, which made the formation a 4-2-4 and left Gerrard and Henderson exposed. The first Uruguay goal came from that.

The substitutions in the second half made things better. Barkley again did well – so why wasn’t he starting? Rooney got the equaliser and that was good to see. He gave everything tonight – England’s best player. Briefly it looked like we could go on and win, but then Uruguay rallied. And scored out of the blue. Big punt from the keeper, poor header from Gerrard, defence all over the place, Suarez lethal.

And that was it. England didn’t really look like they could come back again. Just not good enough. No criticism about effort. These boys gave their all. Just, right now, we’re not good enough. Reality.

So there’s still a chance of going through. If Italy beat both Costa Rica and Uruguay and we beat Costa Rica by a decent margin, we could go through on three points and goal difference. If, if, if. Italy can go through drawing both their remaining games. One draw knocks us out.

Forget it. England are out.

So who to support from now on? Belgium have a largely Premier League team. Holland are good to watch, and they are usually my default second team, but they let themselves down badly in that 2010 final with those brutal tactics. Brazil are the home team and we always love them, Argentina have Messi, Aguero, di Maria et al.

But the team for me is Germany. I love the way they play. Positive, skilful, fast, full of joy. So many fine players: Muller, Lahm, Goetze, Ozil, Kroos, Schweinsteiger…. They combine all the best aspects of European football.

Do it for Europe, boys!

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lovelondonscenes – 60

Posted on June 19, 2014 by John S

The Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square is currently occupied by a large blue cockerel. Juxtaposed against Nelson’s Column, it seems to represent the historic rivalry of England and France. It was sculpted by a German, Katharina Fritsch, who apparently didn’t see the nationalistic significance. For her it was a humorous riposte to all the macho military figures that abound in the area.

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Sportsthoughts (108) – World Cup reflections, day 7

Posted on June 19, 2014 by John S

Oh, Espana! What has happened to you?

World Cup winners 2010, European Championship winners 2008 and 2012. Out of this World Cup after two defeats: 1-5 v Holland, 0-2 v Chile tonight.

How can this be? They’ve looked tired, jaded, slow. Their tiki taka style – short sharp passing, high intensity defending up the field, following the example of Barcelona – set the benchmark for football in the last decade. But gradually the other top teams have worked out how to face the pressure and break out fast when they get possession. And the leading players – Xavi, chief philosopher, Iniesta the artist, Busquets, the enforcer – have faded, as age and injury takes its toll. Xavi was actually dropped tonight. Xavi! The symbol.

And a decision which looked likely to add goalscoring talent may actually have backfired. Diego Costa, a Brazilian, who was up there with Messi and Ronaldo in La Liga, knocking them in for Atletico Madrid (champions this season) chose to play for Spain, rather than his home nation. It was surely the icing on the cake…

But no, not in this World Cup. He has looked out of place, bewildered. Not the target man. Not on the radar. Introduced to a faltering team, uncertain of how to play with an old fashioned centre forward in its midst.

The empire has fallen after a glorious dominion. Will it rise again quickly, or spend some time in convalescence, with a new generation of footballers finding their way at international level? The latter is the norm for most countries, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Spain strong again in the European Championships.

But for now, goodbye Spain – and credit to Chile for an excellent performance. They were sharp, strong and fast. Playing with a verve that matched the Germans. They now have a clash with Holland in the last group match. The prize for the winner: avoiding Brazil in the last 16.  Assuming Brazil secure top place their group, which is not a foregone conclusion, after their poor performance against Mexico.

And so on, in day 8, to England’s defining moment. Uruguay awaits….

 

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Sportsthoughts (107) – World Cup reflections, day 6

Posted on June 17, 2014 by John S

Just settling down to catch Russia v South Korea. The latest of the 11pm games. I haven’t lasted too well yet – except for England v Italy of course – dozed through most of the second half of Argentina v Bosnia, missing Messi’s wonder goal, and struggled watching Germany v Portugal on record last night. Still, seen enough to pontificate a little.

Germany clearly impressive, as expected. Power, pace, creativity and a joie de vivre. Thomas Muller took the headlines with his hat trick as Germany trounced Portugal 4-0, and with the play-acting that riled Pepe so much that the latter aimed a pointless and ineffective head butt at Muller that got him sent off. The score was 2-0 already, so I don’t think the sending off made a lot of difference. The Germans are playing great football, combining continental possession football with English directness on the break. But with an un-English accuracy. Portugal were poor, but 4-0 is a statement. Only the Dutch thrashing of Spain has been better. Northern Europe besting Iberia in the first round.

Does this make the Dutch and Germans favourites? Certainly up there. But only the first matches.

Argentina weren’t amazing against Bosnia, but they got the result, and I’d expect them to push on in the rest of their group games. The Messi goal was awesome and may set him up for a top tournament.

As for Brazil, against Mexico tonight they were poor. 0-0 and really there was not that much threat from them, though Mexican keeper, Ochoa, made a few stunning saves. Too much depends on Neymar and the marauding full backs, Marcelo and Dani Alves. The midfield was stodgy and ineffective, while Fred up front was static. Oscar’s brilliance against Croatia wasn’t replicated. He was on the right then. So naturally he was positioned on the left tonight.

There’s so much pressure on the Brazil team in these early skirmishes. Maybe they’ll relax eventually and show us what they really can do. But they’ll need to in time for that dreaded last 16 tie.

Tomorrow is the first defining game of the tournament: Spain v Chile. After the 5-1 defeat Spain need to regroup and win, to get to the knock outs. I think they will do it. They’ve had a wake-up call. Time to show who’s boss….

Meanwhile, this Russia v South Korea game is pretty dull. Time to post this blog and then go to bed!

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Sportsthoughts (106) – World Cup reflections, day 4

Posted on June 15, 2014 by John S

So we are 4 days in and the football has been pretty good so far. Brazil overcame early nerves to beat Croatia 3-1, with strong performances from Oscar and Neymar. Sets them up to win the group. Will be Spain, Netherlands or Chile in last 16 though.

Yes, Spain or Netherlands. Blimey! Who could have forecast the score, Spain 1 Holland 5? extraordinary. I missed the game, but saw the goals later. Van Persie and Robben on fire. Looking at the reports, Spain were in it for most of the game. They had two-thirds of the possession (when don’t they?). But Holland ripped them apart. Is this a crisis for Spanish football and the philosophy of tiki-taka? Are we seeing the sunset of the talents of Xavi and Iniesta. Is the baton about to pass from Barcelona to… er, something else… at national level?

Or is it just one of those things? We’ll see pretty quickly, as Spain have Chile – a very strong team – next. I’m going to stick with the view that this is a blip and Spain will qualify. The only problem is that we might get the World Cup final in the last 16. And is there a script being written here? Diego Costa, Atletico Madrid’s Brazilian who has opted to play for Spain. One of the top strikers in La Liga. Scores the winner for Spain, knocking his own country out of their home World Cup…

Could he ever set foot in Brazil again?

OK. On to England’s group, yesterday. First a shock. Costa Rica, the supposed minnows, beat Uruguay, potential finalists, 3-1. And deservedly. They beat the Uruguayans to the ball, and after going 1-0 down. Uruguay clearly missing the injured Suarez. The fact that he wasn’t brought on suggests his fitness is in doubt for quite a bit longer. Will he play against England on Thursday? Probably has to.  Already in the group, the normal bets are off.

And so to England v Italy. We lost 2-1. In the heat and humidity of Manaus, in Amazonia. But that wasn’t the reason. England played pretty well. Roy Hodgson picked an exciting team, with Raheem Sterling the surprise choice in the No10 role, just behind front man Daniel Sturridge. Surprise, because it forced Wayne Rooney out of the two positions at which he is best.

We lost because Italy were superb. Pirlo, the old master, continued to weave his spells from deep. De Rossi swept up imperiously. Candreva and Darmian on Italy’s right – both new to me as we don’t get so much Italian football on TV these days – were powerful and incisive, exploiting England’s weakness on the left, with Rooney not covering enough and Leighton Baines looking a bit out of his depth, which was surprising. Ashley Cole – dropped from the squad – must have been watching and feeling, why am I not there?

Commentary on the night was pretty positive – even on Twitter. But today, people started to reflect, and of course the role of Rooney was the the central theme – for the third World Cup running! We just can’t make up out minds what we want him to do.

Last night he was in no-man’s land, a bit lost. He tried hard and actually made the England goal with a superb cross in from the left, which Sturridge converted.

We must beat Uruguay on Thursday. A draw might be enough, if other games then go our way. But we must go for a win, in my view. So Hodgson needs to be bold and decide once and for all, what is the best team to play the system he wants to play. If it is 4-2-3-1, then either play Rooney as the striker (maybe pushing Sturridge into the 3, on the right), or put him in the hole, or leave him on the bench, to come on with thirty minutes to go if Sturridge or Sterling are struggling.

I’m also a bit worried about the two deep midfielders. Stevie Gerrard was subdued, and Jordan Henderson looked a bit lost. Things got better when Barkley and Wilshere came on. I must say, though, that I was surprised that James Milner wasn’t brought on to shore up the left midfield.

So, on current form, what is our best team? Only Roy really knows, but here is how I’d start against Uruguay. It’s a 4-1-3-2, which really isn’t much different to a diamond-shaped 4-4-2. The sort of thing Liverpool were trying at the peak of their form in the Premier League.

Hart – Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines – Gerrard – Milner (left), Barkley (centre), Sterling (right) – Rooney, Sturridge, the two of them alternating between 9 and 10, causing confusion – hopefully to Uruguay rather than their own team!

I wanted to put Jack Wilshere in, but I think we need the solidity and experience of James Milner in there, allowing Baines to roam forward without fear. Jack will come in off the bench.

Danny Welbeck is unlucky to be excluded, but we need to see if Sturridge and Rooney can work as a pair.

I can guarantee that this will not be the next England selection!

So off now to watch Argentina play Bosnia-Herzegovina. I fancy a Messi hat-trick!

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lovelondonscenes – 59

Posted on June 14, 2014 by John S

Sandown Park yesterday. Beautiful weather, not too many people, and a couple of winners, including this one: Chain of Events.

OK, not really London, but on the edge. Esher, to be precise.

IMG_0801

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Sportsthoughts (105) – World Cup predictions!

Posted on June 11, 2014 by John S

It’s here! Forget FIFA corruption, criticism of Brazil’s preparations, England’s sniffiness about the tropical location of Manau, social unrest, injury scares. It’s football, football, football!

I put my predictions together for a competition amongst a few friends, and this is what I came up with.

Winners: Brazil – home advantage, strong defence and midfield, Neymar.

Finalists: Spain – still the best midfield in the world, but can their pressing and possession game beat Brazil in the heat? Maybe. I was tempted to have them as winners.

3rd: Argentina. Could just as easily be winners. Attack of Messi, Aguero, Lavezzi, di Maria and Higuain is awesome on paper. Can it work and can they defend?

4th: Germany. Exciting players, brilliant counter attackers. Muller, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Goetze, Kroos, Lahm. You know, they could win it. But the heat, man….

Outsiders:

Holland, if they can get out of their group against Spain and Chile, with a possible last 16 tie against Brazil.

Chile, also in that group. Known to cause Brazil problems.

Uruguay. Suarez (if fit) and Cavani and good ol’ Forlan. Goals on tap.

Belgium. Some really high quality players – Kompany, Hazard, Witsel, et al – mostly located in English Premiership, so they could be our our default team if England go out early.

And what of Eng-er-land? I’m feeling quite confident about getting out of the group, even though we have Italy and Uruguay with us. There’s a youthful, pacey, optimistic air about the team all of a sudden, with the success of Liverpool in the Premier League at the core of it. Sturridge, Sterling, Henderson along with Johnson and Stevie G in his new quarterback role. Then we have Rooney up for it, Adam Lallana’s silky skills and Jack Wilshere fit again and pressing for a starting place. And the ever-reliable James Milner in the equation. Joe Hart in goal is OK. Defence is the worry. Baines-Jagielka-Cahill-Johnson is a decent Premier League line up. But is it world class? We shall see.

In my prediction I have England topping the group, beating Cote D’Ivoire in the last 16 then falling to Spain in the quarters. That would be standard. Can’t really see us doing better. And there is a real risk that we won’t get out of the group.

But I’m hopeful for England and even more hopeful for football as a whole. Some really exciting teams and players. Sit back and enjoy!

 

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