Beacons Festival 2014

While British Sea Power gently stir their surroundings with a live soundtracking of coastline documentary ‘From The Sea To The Land Beyond’, it’s Nai Harvest who ultimately serve as Friday morning’s wake up call. The duo storm through initial tech problems to showcase half an hour of earworm indie-pop, the hazy melodies of latest single ‘Buttercups’ a perfect antidote to the bleary-eyed aftermath of Thursday’s bitterly cold night.

As the stereotypical Yorkshire weather settles in once more, the Resident Advisor tent proves the perfect safe haven from the rain, as Dan Snaith teases at his Caribou guise’s upcoming album throughout his two hour set under the Daphni moniker. The Canadian’s more hard-edged work sits soundly alongside the euphoria of the summer-defining ‘Can’t Do Without You’, the whole event segueing wonderfully into a three-hour techno onslaught from the genre’s latest hot property Daniel Avery. Back on the Noisey stage, the mounting technical difficulties delay East India Youth’s arrival, but he eventually brings forth a set that - while perhaps less fluid than most in his jam-packed summer schedule - is no less impassioned a presentation of a debut that’s surely a definite for Mercury nomination.

Technical difficulties can’t be blamed for what comes later, however, as Action Bronson’s late arrival is soundtracked by Toto’s ‘Hold The Line’. His admission that “love isn’t always on time” is about the only modicum of self-awareness he shows - forgetting the words to his own songs and ranting wildly about his need for a sandwich, Action does little to shift the feeling that he’s swiftly becoming little more than a novelty act. It’s a very different beast to Daughter, though their delicate professionalism is sadly wasted tonight. The diversity of the bill fumbles slightly, as their shimmering soundscapes are lost amongst the chatter of those who’ve come straight from the surrounding tents’ house, techno and Bronson, prompting guitarist Igor Haefeli to apologise for being “not very festival” despite their headliner status.

Saturday brings with it the sun, and a perfect soundtrack in a supporting cast of indie-pop high hopes. Glass Animals and Beaty Heart both lace theirs with the kind of percussive, worldly influence that seems impossibly well structured, but it’s Jaws who take the early afternoon crown. Instilled with a clear confidence by the hype surrounding them, they recut their own material seemingly on the fly – a particularly frantic version of ‘Gold’ the standout – and drop their biggest hints yet that their upcoming debut full-length is one to watch.

A last minute cancellation from Charli XCX leaves the pure pop vibe solely in Years & Years’ hands, and they take to the role on the DIY stage with aplomb. Soundtracking the warmest rays of the day, their silky R&B is remarkably accomplished for a band so new. The sense of summer is carried into night by Dam-Funk and Galaxians as they share their respective modern twists on funk. The latter’s disco flavour channels Todd Terje at his finest, but with a live keyboardist and drummer duo behind the noise, it’s as technically impressive as it is danceable. Hookworms, on the other hand close out the day with a searing white heat. From the moment they take to the stage, their furious psychedelia incites mania, the frantic screams of enigmatic frontman MJ a million miles from the sun that greeted the morning.

It’s a fury that’s carried through to the festival’s closing day, as Hurricane Bertha takes aim at the site. Tall Ships’ crowd is sparse as a result, but the newly expanded five-piece are every bit as unstoppable as the carnage outside, with cuts from 2012’s ‘Everything Touching’ still showcasing the bottled euphoria that makes them a perfect festival band. With a new song hinting at a Queens Of The Stone Age-esque future for the band, it’s a set that confirms their staying power.

65daysofstatic’s usually mind-bending post-rock is a little flatter by comparison, and as they present almost solely new material the Sheffield quartet make little impact. But as the winds pick up and the site begins to collapse around itself, it’s Darkside who close out proceedings in the most fitting manner. Statuesque against a backdrop of two bright white spotlights, guitarist Dave Harrington weaves delicate melodies around electronic mastermind Nicolas Jaar’s trademark slackened beats. It’s a far deeper offering than on record, with tracks from last year’s ‘Psychic’ holding less of a swagger and more of a techno feel, but it suits the festival’s end perfectly – a kaleidoscope of influence which echoes even the furthest of Beacons’ corners. As the duo evacuate and the hurricane tears through the site - taking tents along with it - the festival’s slate is wiped clean, the hills return to their slumber and Skipton to its usual idyllic state. The best place to live in the UK? For one weekend a year; absolutely.

Tags: Years & Years, Festivals, Reviews, Live Reviews