The Apple Cart
Victoria Park, London
07/08/2011

One thing festival organisers can’t contrive is the weather, and such factors can make or break an outdoor event. Today’s early afternoon downpour could have submerged the whole thing, but with so much loveliness harnessed herein it proves nothing more than a nuisance. The Magic Numbers - on the main stage at an absurdly early hour – are the musical embodiment of The Apple Cart’s ethos, and though their set feels all-too-brief you’ll go some way to finding anyone with a stronger 45-minute selection of feelgood pop. James Yorkston benefits from the conditions to a point, with an uncharacteristically packed tent treated to his sublime folk laments and book readings. At least, the first three rows get to enjoy it, while the rest struggle to hear a word thanks to the ignorant chatter of the sheltering masses and the relentless fairground tunes bellowing from the neighbouring rides.

There’s a window through which to view The Apple Cart’s stellar comedy bill – Jon Richardson, Kevin Eldon and Marcus Brigstocke feature – but we’re back at the main stage for orchestral pop fop Patrick Wolf and band. He’s a born pop star, something you suspect he knew aged ten, and he’s as much artist and performer as he is singer – but that’s not to play down the grandiose majesty of his material. He’s a man in his element as he entertains the throng, and he’s won over a whole new crowd today. And then Badly Drawn Boy takes to the stage. Here’s a man with supreme songwriting ability – as he knows all too well, something he’s never shy of underlining – but who is his own worst enemy, and whose between-song utterances cover almost every negative emotion you can name, from arrogance to smug appreciation and to simmering menace, so much so that they provide the abiding memory of his performance. And that’s no-one’s fault but his own, entertaining though it unquestionably is.

In the intimate surrounds of the smaller tent it’s the turn of Magic Number Michele Stodart, presenting her earnest solo work with sincerity and undeniable charm. Our attention is partially devoted to her very own superfan, present well in advance of her appearance, and whose dedication is frankly more than a little alarming. We head over to Saint Etienne‘s headline set and make sure he’s not following us. Fitting the bill in the literal sense as well as in the role of main attraction, they’re something of an underrated national treasure, and tonight they serve a timely reminder of their class. They open with ‘You’re In A Bad Way’, a solid gold electronic pop classic and no mistake, and the standard doesn’t slip – with the likes of ‘He’s On The Phone’, ‘Nothing Can Stop Us’ and ‘Like A Motorway’ interspersed with impressive new material. You wonder whether they’ve ever sounded better or more relevant, and they’re the perfect headliners for a day that, while not quite flawless, has enough of an identity and appeal to flourish in coming years.

Andy Slocombe