Supersonic 2009

Thought I'd share some not very article musings from a volunteer at this years supersonic which brought too you by the bringer of things that are very good capsule.

Friday

Went too collect my T-shirt first. Whilst pink is not my favourite colour, I've always felt it looks good on a black shirt. Plus the speaker head with looked kin of neat.
Anyway Friday was "Artist liaison", which consisted of me laying food and stock the fridge with many beers for the artists in the back stage area. Even made a nice cake display cramming them all in my gob(Well maybe a couple). Then at near festival opening time it was box office duties, so cue a PDA and asking Lot's of people for a ticket code, till I nearly lost my voice.
With virtually everyone who purchased a ticket in festival, It was time to watch sunnO))) perform the grimrobe demos, a stripped down very minimal (Dylan Carson worshipping)set. First A smoke machine released the most ridiculous amount of smoke ever too perform what I heard another onlooker say as prolonged horror movie. Mind You a Horror movie that scares the shit out of you but make you giggle occasionally as it is a little spinal tap. Still the word intense could spring too mind.
Then a punter asked if I had any pills, what with me having my hood up, must of looked a bit drug dealer. Next Was Veteran Snares which I admit I'm not so familiar with. Managed to get the crowd into a frenzy with the high bpm breakcore.

Saturday

Much earlier start today and after listening to some seriously loud crushing sludge from Thorrs Hammer, it was merch desk for me and that meant first dibs on the distro's. During various points in the day I managed to get my hands on:

Brainbombs - Cheap e.p
Corrupted - Nadie e.p
Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond
Grails - Black Tar Prophecies Vol II
Om - Pilgrimage
Thorrs Hammer - Dommedbagsnatt
Vivian Girls - Moped Girls 7"
Iron Lung T-shirt

Goodbye about £80

Also Rough Trade was in charge of the music, so some good stuff was played. especially Ganglians which was described as a more upbeat Panda Bear and is pretty sweet. Too bad I did not have any money left (since then I ordered it online), as i could have easily spent more.
Did not manage to check out many of the bands playing in the afternoon, especially the brilliantly named master musicians of bukkake.
First Band I saw was Iron Lung and shit me they were good. Brian Jenson voice alone nearly give me hearing damage. Throat ripping "power violence" with some witty banter thrown in
"This is the fastest Swans cover Ever", “This is a real fun number! It’s bouncy! It’s called... ‘Cancer’.”
The sludgier parts were most brutal, and that is was would some up Saturday as next was Thorrs Hammer and later Corrupted.
First more Merch desk duties, include doing my best None shall pass bit when the store area was closing and setting up a table so corrupted could flog some goodies.
Thorrs Hammer were Brutal to say the Least and Runhild Gammelsæter does quite the gut pounding growl to say the least. Was weird to see them looking gosh HAPPY and like they were having fun, considering the sheer nastiness of the music.
Then managed to enjoy some free pastries and beer which is always nice.
Next were publicity non seeking, funeral doom destroyer of peoples hearing Corrupted who were nothing short of incredible. Heaviest band I've ever seen. The old cliché of Lot's bands try to do but so and so do it best was true, with So and so being corrupted. Managing to be epic and patiently building up the heavy parts whilst totally keeping my attention. Plus the vocalist blackjack suit and pork pie only add to the visual aspect, a bit Tom Waits like.
Finally watched a bit of monotonix, who I admit i was totally did not know about. Men in speedos playing in the audience, including a drummer crowd surfing whilst playing at the same time. check out this you tube video for yourself.

Sunday

Later start for me today, got too the festival in time to catch Pontiak who were pretty good in a comets on fire sort of way, some nice basslines . Watched Jarboe who was decent but maybe expected a little more from, on the count that she was in Swans and I'm a bit of a Swans nerd. Still it had the ability too take you too a dark bleak place.
Then working more merch desk time, so selling quite a bit of merch and some failed bartering, before packing it all away. Then more free food, booze.
Finally It was time for Goblin who played a wide variety of stuff it seems include tracks from Suspiria and Dawn of the Dead (OMG Best moviez ever content). Enjoy watching the scenes on the big screen as it added to the performance. And Yes the theme to Suspiria scares me somewhat.
Finally It was off to the rainbow for more free alcohol and the after party.

What can I say Supersonic is easily one of the best festivals going( there is million of them now and most of them seem well, a bit shit) and I've never had so much fun in a long time and met tonnes of nice, cool and interesting people. only wished I'd start volunteering for it sooner.
Only wish I had time to check more of the acts and the installations. Would have loved to have seen AOFR, 65daysofstatic or Head of David (Who were quite mint when i saw them in June)

thanks too everyone involved, it was sweet

p.s also check out capsule collective memory post for all kinds of good shit