T in the Park: Lightspeed Champion review

Published on Saturday 12 July 2008 17:22

OTHERWISE known as ex-Test Icicle Dev Hynes, Lightspeed Champion has the 'geek-chic' look down to a T as he comes on stage clad in a grey fur hat, oversized specs, a checked shirt and a a long cardigan.

After opening with some hard-nosed guitar scuzz before settling into 'Galaxy of the Lost', Hynes tells the crowd, 'I'm so excited to be playing today. This was the festival I've been most excited about, I think it'll be more of a party than the others, so let's party I guess'. 'Did you enjoy Will Young?', he askes later, to which the crowd respond with a boo, a sentiment that was only repeated when Hynes introduced his final tunes, one of which was a rendition of the Star Wars theme tune, the highlight of the gig. The violin, played by Mike Sidell, along with Hynes' quirky lyrics, are the most interesting components of this folk-pop sound, which often breaks into full-blown rock complete with ripping guitar solos and strobe lights. Hynes played a few new songs, including 'Happy Birthday', which gave full attention to his whimsical lyrics ('I won't fall asleep with my shoes on again, I'll watch that film and this time watch the end') before descending into a full-blown rock-style barn dance.