British Sea Power have just curated their own three day festival (August 29-31) ‘Sing Ye From The Hillsides’ at Britain’s highest altitude pub (1732 ft above sea level), Tan Hill, in the Yorkshire Dales.
Attended by just 200 fans, including Artic Monkey Alex Turner and the Klaxons who arrived on Saturday as part of an entourage celebrating their producer and Simian Mobile Disco member James Ford‘s stag do, the festival was more akin to a giant camping holiday in the beautiful but brutal landscape.
The famously eccentric band who originally hail from the area (Cumbria and West Yorkshire), worked with local Dent Brewery to create a new beer especially for the festival named ‘British Ale Power’ as well as holding and participating in the Tan Hill Olympics; featuring husky racing, tug of war, egg throwing and doughnut eating competitions as part of the games.
Playing four sets over the course of the three nights, British Sea Power treated those assembled to B-sides and rarities as well as newer material from their Mercury Music Prize nominated third album ‘Do You Like Rock Music?’ with front man Yan stage diving and being carried over the audience at least once amongst the chaos.
The band’s second set in the barn on Saturday night saw a stage invasion with several Klaxons joining in for the extended 25 minute jam session after the midnight fireworks on the moor.
Other bands who performed include I Like Trains, Silvery and Dirty Cakes.
British Sea Power are due to perfom live at next week’s Mercury Prize ceremony (September 9) and will also play the following regional shows next month:
Brighton Corn Exchange (October 2)
Southampton University (3)
Cambridge Junction (5)
Bristol, Academy (6)
Birmingham, Academy (7)
Newcastle, University (9)
Dundee, Fat Sams (10)
Glasgow, ABC (11)
Manchester, Ritz (12)
Leeds, Metropolitan University (13)
Oxford, Regal (15)
London, The Roundhouse (17)
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