Anyone know why Shiiine has two extra i’s? Or why the logo makes it look like the event is called Shiiine Son? Nope, me neither. Still it’s time for the annual pilgrimage to Butlins in Minehead, with Adidas trainers at the ready.
Yep it’s time for Shiiine!
Friday night
Checked in, wrist bands acquired, pizzas eaten (I know, I know, ‘eating’s cheating’ and all that, but I’m 53 not 23), a couple of beers drunk and we were ready for the night.
‘We’ are Rich, Kev, Tim and me, in case anyone cares. Rich introduced me to my wife, so I guess I have a lot to thank him for, and this weekend was his idea. Given how I feel right now, I have a lot to blame him for too. Not really, he’s a top bloke and I love him dearly.
Anyway, I digress. We headed into the festival proper in time for an enormous queue at the bar (I really don’t understand why places like Butlins don’t put more bar staff on for weekends like this) and then in for the first act of the night – the utterly superb Reverend and The Makers. I love it when bands look like they are having fun on stage, and The Rev was having a blast.
Definitely not the first, nor last of the evening….
LTR: Kev, Rich, Tim, me, some pitchers of beer
Kula Shaker came next and whilst they are not my thing at all (cultural misappropriation and more than a whiff of pretension) they were musically very tight. I’m sure fans would have thought they were amazing, but I tapped out when he started talking about ‘full moon energy’. Tim spent most of the gig texting all his mates to buy my new book which came out on Friday (what, you don’t think I wrote this for nothing do you??) which was beyond lovely of him. The entire gig was enlivened by someone shouting ‘Go on Gandalf’, every time the keyboard player appeared on the big screens. This would make more sense if I’d taken a photo of the keyboard player.
True Order surprised me by being excellent, and reminding me that New Order were about more than Blue Monday. They were followed by The Clone Roses, which are a bit like the Stone Roses, but with a decent lead singer (Rich’s description of them). Ha, that’ll annoy the Roses fans (and I am one, so don’t come for me!).
Saturday
A slower start, big breakfast (Thanks Tim – we all needed it!) and then bands for the rest of the day. Brilliant to see The Lightning Seeds redeem themselves – they were awful last time I saw them at Shiiine – with a superb set full of singalong songs. Echo and The Bunnymen were also great, even if Mac was incomprehensible in between songs. Something about Al Pacino and football I think. There were other bands (lots!) too, but my pick of the day was Mexican Dogs – a three piece who created a hell of a noise in The Inn On The Lake in the afternoon. Hopefully, we’ll get to see more of them!
Sunday
After a terrible night’s sleep, where I managed to snore myself awake several times (sorry Kev – different roomie next year!), it was breakfast then a stroll along the front in Minehead. We bumped into Miles Hunt, who was undoubtedly as pleased to see four hungover blokes as we were to see him.
The new Wonder Stuff line-up looks a bit shady.
LTR: me, Kev, Miles, Tim, Rich.
We got back to Butlins in time to see Goldie Looking Chain, and Miles, who inexplicably didn’t want us to join him on stage. GLC were, as expected, hilarious and brilliant, and I videoed ‘Your mother’s got a penis’ just for my wife as I know she secretly loves it. (editors note: she does, in fact, not.)
Wales played rugby Sunday afternoon against Australia. Well, allegedly played. It was awful – I know this because I got sympathy from the English and Irish people who also inexplicably watched the game. Seriously, why would you watch that if you weren’t Welsh? We are so, so poor at the moment.
Back to bands. Starsailor and Embrace saw the night out, or at least they did for me. I couldn’t get Monday off, so it was bed after Embrace.
Both bands were superb, utterly brilliant in fact. I was especially blown away by Starsailor, as I’d spent most of the weekend thinking they were the ones that did “Dancing In The Moonlight” (sorry Toploader and King Harvest). I blame the beer. Anyway, they were brilliant and I’d love to see them again.
Embrace played all the hits, and more, and absolutely lifted the gloom on a Sunday night. Gravity, originally written by Chris Martin and gifted to the band, was a particular highlight and source of another video to my wife.
Which band is this again?
I appear to have a lump in my throat.
Taken by some lovely person in the crowd. Apologies for the lighting!
I’ll admit I initially wasn’t that impressed by the line-up on paper, but every single band brought their ‘A’ game and the whole weekend was brilliant. There will undoubtedly be people thinking none of these bands are cool, but you know what, it doesn’t matter. I had a great time.
Were you there? Would you have liked to have been? Who was/would have been your favourite? Comments below if you want!
Same time next year?
David Watkins 
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