Friday 15 September 2017

Besstories 2017

WEATHER CHAOS!  MISERY FOR REVELLERS, is how the Mail would have reported it.  It was a bit chaotic at times, what with Security marching about, “evacuating” areas.  Rumours included: someone hammered a bamboo spike into the ground, through a mains cable; a third of the security guards walked out on the first day of the festival; this storm presaged The End Times, and we should expect our observant Christian friends (if we have any) to be taken up, leaving us Sinners to deal with Armageddon and all that.
A popular rap crew got pulled off the main stage, mid-song, without warning.  The big screens they have at the sides of big stages were wobbling dangerously…we felt for The Group, it was a terrible way to end the set.

The Friend/Genius appeared in the crowd during the set of The Bus.  The Bus was on fine form, and had everyone in stitches.  Some great banter, which to one MC, known to The Bus, sounded familiar.  The Friend (to Your Humble Narrator) was such a welcome sight.  Your Humble Narrator has not referred to The Friend as a Genius to his face, but has always thought him one.  Isn’t it funny, the things we don’t say to each other?  Particularly those of us who talk a lot of shit, like Your Humble Narrator.  But The Friend is also humble, and Your Humble Narrator doesn’t like to embarrass him. 
Still, they had a great time catching up, and had a right dance at the main stage…
The Famous Hip Hop Crew played their last ever gig.  One of them died shortly after the group re-formed last year, and they repped their brother hard, with the whole set seeming like a moving tribute.  Many adults were moved to tears.  Others, of course, did drugs or talked all over it or looked at their phones or whatever.  But who gives a fuck about them?
Those of us who know, and some who don’t, appreciated it in our own ways.  Your Humble Narrator and The Friend/Genius danced in the mud and went from shaking cold to normal to sweaty as The Famous Rapper danced in front of a screen showing him dancing in front of the screen.  In a neat summation of the Life And Times of The Famous Hip Hop Crew.
It was, as they say, emotional. 
The Rapper, playing with his band, also had an emotional time.  One set that was difficult and far from ideal, followed twenty-four hours later by one which brought The Rapper himself to an emotional state.  The Rapper didn’t cry, but was close. 
The Old Friend watched, and his presence was felt.  (If this were being spoken, Your Humble Narrator might say that, like a blind man at Christmas, his presence was felt.  But that kind of homophone joke doesn’t work in written words, does it?)
The Frontman tells his friend that he is his friend.  The Friend agrees, but doesn’t necessarily agree with all the other things The Frontman says about him.  “Maybe I’m just high”, says The Frontman.  But The Friend appreciates The Frontman’s candour, and agrees heartily that they are, indeed, good friends. 
The Poet performs a short set on a quiet Saturday afternoon and, presumably, enjoys it more than anyone else who is there.  A little over twenty-four hours later, The same Poet will perform to a rapt-looking, attentive audience, while a raging storm keeps them in the place.  The Poet will find it overwhelming, and will not be the only one.  The MC will tell him that, and it will be much appreciated.  The Poet will leave the festival site immediately after the set, full of confusion and wistfulness.  Ambivalence, as well as paradox, is a powerful presence in The Poet’s mind.  Always.  But these were Good Times, The Poet knows enough to know that.  Rare times, in the best sense of the word.  The Poet appreciates all this, appreciates those who have made it possible for him to be here, and feels it strongly enough to make a point of letting everyone know how he feels.
There are MCs in the place.  Hip Hop, with its tradition of friendly competition, will be respected – but these MCS encourage each other.  Each, having their own individual styles, will inspire the others and there will be plenty of support all round. 
PUMP OUT THE JAMS is how one of them old skool rap crews would put it.  There is much jamming, as ever at The PFR, and the post-Last Ever Show of The Seminal Rap Crew will be a good one.  The MC, rushing back from the main stage, bursts into the room and approaches the mic.  He doesn’t really rhyme, this time, the words don’t seem to come to mind, but he doesn’t mind, since a rhyme scheme is only one aspect of being an MC.  The MC takes responsibility to rock the party, and on this occasion, that means getting everyone up – the place is pretty chilled, and that’s cool, if you get down like that, but right now, the place has to close soon, so let’s peak at the right time, get up and smile.
“All praises due to The People’s Front Room”, says The Rapper, before leaving the festival early – the artistic equivalent of the centre forward indulging in some badge-kissing celebration after scoring, before leaving the club for their local rivals a week later.  That’s harsh, though, isn’t it, but it does occur to The Rapper.  The Rapper is his own biggest critic….
And. Yet.  The Rapper never tires of hearing lavish praise of how enjoyable his set was, knowing all the while that there will be a “but”, feels it hanging in the air, like a particularly shrill wind chime about to be animated by a chill wind.  Most people don’t realise The Rapper is psychic (well, more prescient than psychic, to be fair), but Your Humble Narrator can also see it coming a mile off.
The “but” isn’t always literally the word but; sometimes it’s “I just think…”, or something similar.
This month’s Lavish Praise Followed By Fatuous Criticism was a “just don’t do the politics, leave that out – it’s not you.”
The Rapper had never met the critic before, so was a bit surprised that the critic apparently knows The Rapper so well, so deeply.  So completely. 
The Singer will spend 51 hours of his 52 hours on the festival site at The PFR, and will be very happy with this.  The Singer will say honest and fulsome things about The People’s Front Room.
But everyone says those things about The People’s Front Room.  It’s one of those delightfully rare occasions when everyone is right.
Bless everyone who was there, and bless you.

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