Indian Summer 2006

Saturday 2nd September

Beer, burgers, mud and music: another generic festival? Not likely. As The Skinny's bleary eyes widen in anticipation of Indian Summer's spiffing Saturday line-up, we're met by a startling realisation - indie kids are playing croquet. And not just playing it; fucking loving it.

Mildly confused, we venture over to the Main Stage to catch the 1990's kicking things off with their fist-shaking brand of new wave power pop. After such a barnstorming performance we find the ridiculously flamboyant Flying Matchstick Men cooking up a synth-driven storm in the ABC Tent.

Leaving such arid confines for the Main Stage, we're unfortunate enough to witness an underwhelming set laden with Springsteen-isms by Ben Kweller. Thank god then for Hot Chip who bring some much needed warmth to the occasion; slowly winning over the small crowd with their electronic splendour.

Putting in a relatively professional performance, The Fall proves a disappointment to those expecting the usual chaos. But really, it's rewarding enough to see the most vital band in modern guitar music still alive, kicking, spitting and rambling.

And as light fades it's Yeah Yeah Yeahs time; which means a kitchen-foil clad Karen O pirouetting onto stage. Brimming with minimal garage riffs, tracks like Miles Away and Y Control are greedily consumed by a rotund crowd.

With 'Hurricane Karen' eventually blowing itself out, The Skinny leaves Indian Summer drenched and dazed and ready for bed. But in just over 12 hours we'll be up for yet another day of musical mayhem – and with any luck a spot of croquet

Sunday 3rd September

Wide awake and raring to go, we're adequately refuelled for another hard-working afternoon at Indian Summer. But before even a sip of lukewarm beer passes our lips, the weekend's first murmuring of discontent is busy blustering its way through the site.

Apparently, a certain Mercury prize winning American is on the verge of pulling out due to inadequate luxury accommodation. Now, The Skinny's not adverse to a spot of prima-donna-esque pampering but we do object to popstars playing the diva card whilst the rest of us trundle through the mud.

Luckily in Tilly & The Wall's wonderful opening performance there's no such delusions of grandeur - just beautifully textured pop melodies. From here we trudge over to the ABC Tent to find Dananananakroyd launching into a riotous sulphuric attack that borders on the realms of insanity.

Then it's off to seek solace in the rock n roll freak out of Tapes 'n' Tapes. The last gig of their UK tour, their tub-thumping, raucous show is the highlight of Sunday afternoon. Well, that's until the voluptuous Broken Social Scene appear with a rapturous set that injects some urgency into stargazing pop.

Next up is Gang Of Four who bumble on stage with all the grace of your Dad dancing to a Status Quo tribute band. Fearing the worst we stand back, anticipating a quick getaway to Mr Scruff, but what unfolds is a pummelling reminder of just how important this band was and perhaps still is.

Having witnessed John King kick several shades of shit out of a microwave,
we check out a disturbingly twisted spoken word set by Arab Strap's Aiden Moffat before discovering Antony & The Johnsons have somehow managed to set aside their grievances to do what they're actually paid for.

Illuminating the night sky with a spine-tingling Fistful Of Love, it's a grandiose finale to a wonderful weekend. And as The Skinny exits the gates of idyllic Victoria Park for a final time, we're left hoping Antony's hotel room is just as palatial.