In my Festival Guide – Benicassim 2009 post last month I highlighted the advantages of Benicassim (which takes place in Spain) over the the traditional UK festivals. If you are unaware of Benicassim Festival then check out the guide for more information. Advantages I highlighted included the great weather and always friendly atmosphere.
It seem that this year, however, on the festival’s 15th anniversary anything which could go wrong did.
First of all Oasis had yet more technical and sound problems on Friday night when performing on the Escenario Verde Stage.
Noel Gallagher was very unhappy with the festival, writing this on his blog at Oasisnet.com,
“Benicassim? What a fuckin’ waste of time!”
He went on to say,
“The problem was…wait for it…yes! The fuckin’ PA. It blew TWICE!! And the monitor system blew TWICE!! It’s becoming a joke. And not a very funny one.”
Worse was yet to come however…
On Friday evening a large bush fire erupted near the festival site due to the hot weather.
The weather then turned on the festival. Extreme winds and rain forced Maximo Park and Paul Weller to cut their sets short due to safety concerns.
Headliners Kings Of Leon and UK indie act The Horrors were both unable to even take to the stage due to the weather, leaving thousands of fans disappointed.
The weather did not cease through the night and festival goers were forced to abandon their tents and were shacked up in a local leisure centre for their own safety.
Foals were the unable to attend and perform at the festival after band members Yannis Philippakis and Edwin Congreave fell ill.
Lily Allen cancelled her appearance but fans of Maximo Park were pleased when the Newcastle lads filled in and finished the set which was cut short the previous day.
To top it all off a British Benicassim attendee has been held in hospital with swine flu like symptoms since Saturday.
Despite all the problems the organisers, acts and most of all fans faced there were some highlights of Benicassim Festival 09.
Franz Ferdinand, Elbow, Maximo Park played great sets and were amongst some of the acts to play once normality was returned to the festival on Saturday evening.
The Killers, Babyshambles, Friendly Fires, White Lies and more played a trouble free final day of the festival yesterday (Sunday).
Festival-goers managed to stay in great spirit, even through all of the problems.
Did you attend this year’s Benicassim Festival? Any stories you wish to share with Indiescreet? Did you still enjoy yourself even with all the problems?
Please feel free to leave a comment below with your thoughts on Benicassim Festival 09.
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All images not credited courtesy of NME.com.
