Jade's Music Blog

From The Wombats on the Other Stage to the Sense of Sound choir on the Jazz Stage, Liverpool musicians have taken Worthy Farm by storm.

More than 170,000 people decamped to Michael Eavis’ farm in Somerset for the weekend, and at the heart of it were a host of fantastic bands from the Merseyside area.With The Verve headlining the Pyramid Stage, The Zutons and The Rascals on the Other Stage, Amsterdam in the Acoustic Tent and a host of Liverpool’s best up-and-coming bands on the Leftfield Stage, Merseyside musicians staged a coup.

It’s just another example of how strong the region’s music scene is right now.

And what a difference a year makes for The Wombats.

Twelve months ago the Liverpool trio played at Glastonbury too, but on the tiny Queen’s Head Stage to a few dozen devotees. This time they bagged the coveted 5pm Saturday slot on the Other Stage, immediately before Duffy.

“That was ludicrous, just ludicrous,” laughs singer Matthew ‘Murph’ Murphy, from Woolton, as soon as he comes off stage.

“I have no idea how many people were out there, but it looked amazing. We got quite emotional. Dan (drummer Dan Haggis) said onstage just how different this year’s experience was for us compared to last, and it really was. It just blew us away."

It seems as well as the difference in stages, the whole Glastonbury experience has changed for the lads.

“Last year we got down here on this really dodgy Transit van driven by a man called Gary - we kept thinking it would break down before we got here,” explains Murph. “This year we came in on a helicopter. It’s weird, man, really weird. I keep waiting for someone to come up and tell us it’s all been a mistake, that we don’t belong here, or that it’s just a really good dream and I’ll wake up in my bed at home.”

“Not that we get helicopters all the time,” adds bassist Tord nervously - clearly conscious of Glastonbury’s eco-focus. “It was just that we couldn’t get here in time any other way.“We’ve hardly slept these last four days – we’ve just been travelling and doing gigs every night, so it was the only way we could fit it in.”

As we chat presenter Lauren Laverne runs up and gives the lads a hug. Clearly, as well as the practical differences, the way the band are perceived has also changed dramatically.

We’re talking in the backstage area for the Other Stage, surrounded by the Glastonbury glitterati. Lily Allen is standing nearby with her new boyfriend, Pixie Geldof is sitting on a bench in the sunshine and from time to time, Kelly Osbourne wanders back and forth in a long kaftan. Word goes round that Kate Moss is expected any minute.

“Sorry about that,” apologises Murph, of Lauren’s brief interruption. “Last time we just camped up in the fields with everyone else, and we didn’t get any of this hospitality stuff. To be honest I wouldn’t have minded doing that again, but they’ve brought our tour bus down so we can go straight on to the next gig, so we’re staying in this backstage compound bit.”

“But we’re going to make sure we get out and see real people,” laughs Tord. “It’s great to have access to all of this, but the real festival is out there with the people dancing.“Loads of our friends in Liverpool bands are playing here – on the Leftfield Stage, so it seems bit by bit Liverpool bands are taking over the world.”

Also backstage at the Other Stage is Miles Kane, singer with Wirral hot young things The Rascals and half of The Last Shadow Puppets, alongside Alex Turner from Arctic Monkeys.

“It’s going really well,” he grins. “We played the Other Stage on Friday with The Rascals, and then on Saturday night Al (Alex Turner) and I did a little secret show. It’s been boss. Everyone’s dead friendly, there’s a really good atmosphere. We’d definitely want to play here again.”

At the other end of the musical spectrum Liverpool seven-piece Amsterdam played the Acoustic Tent.“We’ve always wanted to play Glastonbury,” says singer Ian Prowse. “And that was one of the best gigs we’ve ever done. The crowd were amazing.“We’ve played all the other big festivals, so when the offer came up we knew we had to play it, but that was something else.

“The Acoustic Tent has acts like Billy Bragg and Sinead O’Connor, and people come to actually listen to the music, so it seems the perfect place for Amsterdam. We had the full band, including our fiddle player and our flute player, so everything sounded great.

”The band clearly enjoyed life in the more laid-back acoustic area. “We’re camping in the acoustic backstage bit, in the biggest tent you’ve ever seen, and it’s great,” grins Ian. “The sun is shining, the music is fantastic. We’re loving it. This is what festivals are all about.”

And forget Kate Moss. When it comes to festival fashion, The Zutons have got it sorted. Singer Dave McCabe was on hand to give his top tips for Glastonbury headwear: “I’m down with the jester’s hat, but I’m not really a hat person,” he explains. “I don’t suit them. My hair is my hat. The only hats I do wear are woolly ones, and they’re not for summer. You’d get a sweaty head.”

And Knowsley Village’s answer to Gok Wan also has some advice to festival drinkers too:“Cider – although not the pear stuff. A few pints would be nice. I’d recommend four or five pints.”

The Zutons’ 9pm slot on the Other Stage was one of the highlights of a packed weekend.

And today, as festival-goers wend their way home, more than the memory of West Country cider and fresh air, the thing that sticks in their heads will be the songs sprinkled with salt from the Mersey.