Page 103 - Hi-Fi World (January 2020)

OPINION

“There must be some place

for a TV show featuring up

and coming new groups”

Jon Myles

licking through the TV (I’m ruling out the likes of The X and not the behemoth it has become
channels the other day Factor and The Voice as I see them in the 21st century.
(not something I usually do as talent shows rather than music Glastonbury 50 celebrates this
but I was stuck in a hotel programmes). extraordinary rise in both words and
room with nothing to do) It seems there is very little pictures that all reflect the central
FI came across a fascinating enthusiasm amongst senior ethos of the festival - the music, the
series of music programmes. executives to bring this sort of edgy fans, the fun, the camaraderie.
Culled from various television entertainment back to our screens. I Founder Michael Eavis and his
programmes it featured an eclectic suppose ratings will be quoted as the daughter Emily - who know runs the
mix of bands - including Alice main factor that drives what we see. event - are joined by a host of big-
Cooper, The Ramones, Iggy Pop, But surely in our crowded TV name contributors including Adele,
Talking Heads, Bruce Springsteen, schedules there must be some place JAY-Z, Dolly Parton, Chris Martin,
The Jam, The Clash, X-Ray Spex, for a new, edgy TV show featuring Julie Christie, Noel Gallagher, Jarvis
The Damned, The Undertones, Joy up and coming new groups? You Cocker, Suzanne Vega, Lars Ulrich
Division and Blondie to name but a never know, it might even garner a and Guy Garvey.
few. decent viewing audience, or at least All shed a different light on
Some of the performances one large enough to make it worth Glastonbury and what it means
were stunning - The Jam and The producing and give it a decent slot in today, plus the prestige of appearing
Undertones stand out. Best of the schedules. on-stage there.
all, though, was probably Bruce After all, where else are people It’s also packed full of hundreds
Springsteen with the most high- going to discover new music? of photos of various acts that will
energy, hard-charging piece of rock Spotify? Hardly – that’s more for bring back great memories to anyone
’n’ roll I’ve seen. people who want to hear familiar who saw them.
Actually, watching this long songs they know and love. As Emily Eavis explained
ago was what turned me onto Record shops with “With our 50th anniversary fast
Springsteen in the first place. knowledgeable staff? Well, they are approaching, we felt now was the
Seeing it again brought back many disappearing at a rate of knots. time to put all of our memories and
memories. But more fascinating still Concerts - look through the adverts stories together in one place".
was the programmes these perfor- in the newspapers or go on-line and “It’s been a total joy to look
mances were culled from. Top Of The you’ll find most are now old groups back through piles of old photo
Pops (obviously) but then the likes of reviving past glories or tribute acts. albums and scrapbooks and to
So It Goes and Something Else. Then there’s the music press reflect upon what it meant at the
Even The Old Grey Whistle – although most of that has time, and the incredible evolution
Test was in there - although there disappeared (Melody Maker, Sounds of the event. I hope people who’ve
was always a look of disdain on etc) in printed form. Of course been over the years will be able to
“Whispering” Bob Harris’s face when there’s still on-line but you have to reminisce and get a flavour of the
a band played who he clearly did not hunt them down and in my eyes a rich history of Glastonbury through
like (usually because they were punk pale shadow of the venerable printed five amazing decades”.
or new wave, didn’t play 10 minute editions. For anyone who has enjoyed the
guitar solos or weren’t Genesis). So it’s back to those old TV Glastonbury experience this book is
OK, not everything has stood shows and the hope that one day a must. Actually even for those who
up to the test of time but it made we’ll see something similar again. Or haven’t it should be an essential.
me recall how many new bands I perhaps I’m just being nostalgic. Now, if they could make
discovered by watching all these Talking of nostalgia there’s Glastonbury a year-long round
clips. a brilliant new book out at the festival and then televise the various
But what has come along to moment celebrating 50 years of stages every day then that would
replace this feast of music on TV? the Glastonbury Festival. Yes, it was make a compelling new music
The answer is not very much at all. founded 50 years ago in 1970 - programme to rival all those old
Popular music programmes have around the same time as Woodstock. classics. It would certainly keep me
very much disappeared. Especially Back then it was a small event - and I guess quite a few others -
ones that showcase new artists attracting a few thousand music fans glued to the screen.

www.hi-fiworld.co.uk JANUARY 2020 HI-FI WORLD 103