Dear Lulu,

I can’t be honest about how perfectly amazing Splendour was because you’ll cry. It was better than everything else in the entire world. I put some more pics up if you want to take a peek. Sarah had better band photos, my camera didn’t like the lights, but it does make everything look cool.

Highlights: I had a backstage pass so I could watch bands backstage. I mostly didn’t because they sound better when you’re in front of the speakers and the vibe in the crowd was just so darn lovely. Everyone was just loving it and not trying to push people out of the way or throw inanimate objects. Someone did throw a giant inflatable giraffe at Ted Mumford though. In a good way. You can kind of see it here: http://www.facebook.com/mattgranfield#!/photo.php?pid=5218360&id=621121839

That was most excellent. No one was wearing flouro. That was also good. As previously discussed, I watched The Pixies from the side of the stage. Sarah was my wing-man for the day and she frowned somewhat when I explained to her that I would be leaving her alone in the moshpit to go side-stage, but I think she dealt with it well. I came back and she told me that she had some nice alone time but that she was glad I was back.

These bands were amazing for the following reasons:

Mumford and Sons. They played so well. There was new material. They were tight. The crowd was so into it. They were just killing it. Their sound was amazing. I don’t know what he’s doing with Laura Marling. I like Laura Marling, but Ted could do better. She’s boring. I told many people this. I feel a bit bad about it now. I think I dwindled her crowd-size by 20. I met a couple in the bar near where Laura Marling played and the girl said she was good and the boy said she was boring.

The Strokes. Had to follow Flo and the Mo. That wasn’t easy because she is awesome and has wings and was amaze, but they are The Strokes. They could follow Jesus’s first and/or second coming. I pushed my way to the front and was able to collect some Casablancas sweat for you. It’s in a vial and appears to glow in the dark and also have special powers.

Alberta Cross. Small crowd = up front = loud = just shining musical brilliance. Ditto Earnest Ellis, he mentioned something about marrying you if you were there, but I said you weren’t and that you had to go to away and he seemed to understand. I think he married someone else instead. He was quite popular.

Fat Freddy’s Drop. I thought they just played dub but they made some great housey stuff as well. The trombone player stripped. It was very good in an entertaining way. Apparently he does that all the time, but I’m going to pretend it was a special one-off for us.

Passion Pit. I didn’t realise that was how he actually sang. I thought it was pretend. It was shimmery and lovely and loud. Between them and Mumford I think it may have been the best two musical hours of my life.

Richard Ashcroft apparetly had a hissy fit and walked off stage mid-song because not enough people were watching him and he was on at the same time as The Pixies and Empire of the Sun. I really liked Richard Ashcroft but I was one of the people who weren’t watching him because I was at The Pixies, so I’m disappointed I missed the hissy fit, but also glad I didn’t see him being a wanker because now I can pretend that he’s not a wanker.

Luke Steel was also a wanker. He had a big golden hat on and appeared to have come straight from an ancient Mayan firefighters dance party. They played the song I like first, which was awesome, because then I could watch The Pixies. Sarah also liked this.

The Pixies were slightly underwhelming because they are old, but still cool. Did I mention I watched them from the side of the stage.

Two Door Cinema Club were cool. Not too cool for school. Just cool. I liked them.

There were some really bad buckwheat crepes. I had a nutella and banana one and had to throw it out.

There was a giant silver sculpture which I tried to climb but there was a man inside it working on some mechanical things. He looked surprised to see me. It’s hard to explain.

Warmest regards,
Me