Abbey ruins form backdrop
DOWN at the Abbey festival has concluded for its first year back in a while, closing a weekend of live music in one of Reading’s most historic venues.
The band’s energy perfectly befitted of scorching end-of-summer evening, as the sun began to set below the tips of the Abbey Ruins.
Meanwhile Cornelia Murr provided easy-going but engaging, jazzy, indie lounge pop over on the Second Stage
Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage made their Main Stage appearance, with Lewis donning his usual stickered acoustic guitar.
They performed a set of well-crafted indie rock tinged with down to earth country touches and punctuated with more earnest songs performed by Lewis, and formed the final leg of their UK tour before they return to the US
Lewis’ interstitial asides were in poem form, giving a curated set and performance from the word go until the final note.
His earnest musicianship, heartfelt songwriting, and approachable stage presence make him the perfect accompaniment to the sunset, and things began to really hot up as Saturday’s final few acts approached.
Tiger Mendoza brought searing, acidic guitars, stripping away any pretense and boiling everything away to pure, danceable joy
The duo radiated energy and attitude in their set, peppered with impressive guitar breakdowns and lucious licks,
Los Bitchos gave their usual punky, poppy rock, with influences from across the globe combining to make an informed and intriguing set full of folk, funk, groove and grit.
Their easy charm radiates confidence, along with accomplished musicianship and a cheeky, offhand approachability, particularly during a bongo solo.
Overall, their set was reminiscent of the effervescent energy of The Go! Team, full of infectious twists and turns that will whisk you into the trance.