Big Chill festival
Eastnor Deer Park,  Herefordshire
Concert review by Chris Leggett

Saturday

Hip hop star Kanye West divided fans with his headline show at the eclectic Big Chill festival.

The singer, known as much for his temperamental behaviour as his run of candid hit singles about his own failings, treated fans to a set lasting nearly two hours on Saturday night.

But after West was half an hour late to the stage, blaming his tardiness on his voice problems and his “perfectionism”, some gig goers walked away from the show in disgust.

His frustration boiled over at times in a performance which disappointed some casual followers but delghted his fans, especially those at the stage front.

Those who had expected a straightforward crowdpleasing show were further angered when he stopped to deliver a lengthy diatribe.

The star began the show with Dark Fantasy, which he sang from the sound tower at the centre of the crowd.

Onstage he was joined by 20 ballerinas as he ripped through Monster, Diamonds From Sierra Leone and Power in a set billed by West as a three act show.

Set highlights included All Fall Down, Jesus Walks and Love Lockdown, all of which delighted the audience.

This was not a greatest hits set though, as West played some early tracks and stopped the show for a five minute rant taking in his view on critics and the TV censors who banned one of his videos for allegedly offensive images of women.

In an age where stars are choreagraphed not to upset, West’s frankness was refreshing although saying the ban had made him feel “like Hitler” will have tested some people’s patience.

Playing Touch The Sky and Gold Digger back to back produced the biggest singalongs, followed shortly afterwards by a triumphant Stronger.

The final “act” saw him dressed in red confessing to his womanising in Runaway, ending with maternal tribute Hey Mama

West then played two Amy winehouse tracks over the PA in tribute to the late singer, asking fans to “protect artists”.

The other highlight of the day at the eclectic festival was a psychedelic soul revue by US newcomer Jonelle Monae, who brought her Archandroid album to life in superb fashion backed by 20 musicians and dancers including a string five piece.

Faster, Tightrope and a cover of the Jackson Five’s I Want You Back won the Outkast protégée new admirers before she got all the crowd knelt down for Come Alive (War of the Roses).

When she jokingly took credit for a burst of rain, fans could almost believe her.

Actor Idris Elba of Wire TV fame and Hollywood actress Lucy Liu were part of a watchable Bullitts performance, pop star Jessie J was a festival hit and Calvin Harris packed the Revellers tent with a late night set.

Coronation street’s Craig Charles was on top form with his soul DJ set, another DJ set by 2manydjs mixed heavy dance with the likes of Blur while salsa band Wara provided late night salsa sounds.

The only disappointment was Metronomy, whose indie dance seemed lost on the main stage.

Sunday

On the final day of Big Chill 2011, the mix of fans both young and old enjoyed the wide range of entertainment for which the festival has become famous.

Veteran Robert Plant rock and rolled back the years with a storming set which made a mockery of the fact that the singer is about to turn 63.

His Band of Joy were not headlining the main stage – that honour went to latin duo Rodrigo y Gabriela – but their early evening show delighted ageing rockers and young followers alike.

Another experienced performer, DJ Norman Jay, showed all the skills he has acquired over the decades by entertaining the afternoon main stage crowd.

A trademark set by the DJ – honoured recently with an MBE – began with a mix of gentle summery music.

Jay repeatedly promised there would be “house music later” and soon had thousands of revellers dancing to fast Jamaican dancehall beats.

Away from the main arena, TV comic Lee Nelson, who has his own BBC3 show, delighted the audience in the Big Chill Radio tent with a number of witty but risque shows.

Nelson, the creation of comedian Simon Brodkin, is like the council estate nephew of Al Murray’s Pub Landlord, always saying the unthinkable on class, race and sex.

He may not be the most original creation but live he is far funnier than his TV shows suggested.

One of the faces of the festival, he held several “Well Good” parties, mixing audience banter with crowd participation and even beatboxing.

He was also out and about in character, filming improvised scenes with revellers around the site.

Nelson pushed the boundaries with jokes on subjects like the Austrian child sex case, but his cheeky glint in his eye ensures he gets away with it.

On a more serious note, another charismatic performer, Nigerian Femi Kuti, used his main stage show to make an impassioned speech against African corruption.

The afrobeat multi-instrumentalist boasted probably the finest backing group at the festival, Positive Force, whose musicianship was a masterclass.

Kuti was presented with a world music fans’ award from the Songlines magazine at the finale of his show.

By contrast, the act on after uplifting Kuti, all female rock group Warpaint provided gloomy angular guitar music.

There was definitely a place for them at the festival, as young rock fans enjoyed their set.