Features

Very quick blog, must head out to the Arctic Monkeys, who have just gone on the mainstage, incredibly loudly. Having just come over from seeing The Human League, what a difference! Whilst the League were playing 'Human', the tent just literally started emptying - a quick check of the clock, the Arctic effect has just taken place once again. The whole of Benicassim, literally, is herding towards the mainstage towards Alex Turner and the boys who are tonight's headliners. The site is deserted from the far end down. This is going to be immense. Eep.

Just got back from an incredibly frenetic show by !!! - the US dance-punk outfit were incredible. Singer Nic Offer fuelled with helium sneakily passed onstage by CSS' Lovefoxxx who was still waiting in the wings having just played another technicolor show, welcomed the baying crowd squeaky high - and the show was on!

Dinosaur Jr are one of the veterans playing this year's festival - we are still looking forward to seeing Animal Collective and Calexico this weekend. J Mascis comes on to greet the main stage with long (natural) platinum blond locks, and plugs in his guitar...

WhoMadeWho make an unexpected debut on the main stage of Benicassim, replacing The Klaxons, caused by a 3 hour Gatwick flight delay. Armageddon weather that is apparently (!) afflicting the UK.

Just got back from seeing the best band I've seen in a while. Hey it's Wilco - I know we gushed about their set at Latitude last weekend but, wow, watching 20,000 people go mental just now was icing on the Uncut cake.

Rufus Wainwright has just played up to all Benicassim festival expectations of a good ol’ show tune packed set. Within the space of four songs he went from Joseph in his technicolour dreamcoat to something out of The Producers – in between teasing the packed Esceniaro Fiberfib tent wearing his now de rigeur festival white bath robe.

The International Festival de Benicassim is now onto it’s second day of the long weekend’s rock and dance festival, and it's slightly weird getting home at 6am when the site is still is full swing.

Where was everyone? In 1978, closing in on 100,000 people marched six miles from Trafalgar Square to Victoria Park in East London to see The Clash headline a benefit concert for Rock Against Racism.

A surreal cab journey from Valencia airport. Fifi Trixibelle, sister of Peaches Geldof, is in the back of our cab on the way to the Benicassim Festival site, and we arrive to the sight of Iggy & The Stooges creating a massive stage invasion which desperate security tried to hold back...

I've blogged previously about Grindhouse's abysmal showing at the American box office, and last night I finally got to see the version of Tarantino's extended Death Proof segment that's getting a UK release in September.