Sounds from beyond the Shed 191 “Who’s Next?”

I spent last Friday in 30-degree heat in Hyde Park, basking in the sounds of the past as well as the scorching summer sunshine. I’d had a mind to have a few pints of ice-cold lager, but better sense prevailed, and I generally stuck to the water throughout the inferno. Van Morrison was on irascible form, berating the band whilst kettled under a gazebo and yet delivering a performance that delved into his soul-stirring litany as he seemed to surrender himself to the muse despite the warmth and a lot of trombone! Cat Stevens/Yusaf was far more audience, and indeed, band, friendly as he rolled out the hits, as well as delivering passionate pleas for an end to the horror of Gaza whilst remembering it was the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre. And then Old Gringo himself – a cussed, ‘ornery set full of passion and fire. Patently changing the set as his whim took him, Young was extraordinary. Leading from the front and not stopping for 2 solid hours until the organisers pulled the plug. I’d thought his best was behind him, but this was a wonderful and powerful performance highlighting his talent and commitment to peace protest and environmental change. All in all, a very special evening. And at the end of the evening, a collective sigh of relief was breathed by the entire insurance market as the three performers with a collective age of 234 all made it through.

And here’s the thing. Where is the next generation, and indeed will there be another generation of songwriters and performers of this calibre? These guys’ reputations and craft were forged around the turntables of communal listening way back when. The way music is consumed has moved on. The only people who listen to music seriously are either of a certain generation or long-distance drivers, and maybe the occasional outlier who makes a conscious choice about this being what they want to do. Can any reader name a single artist who has come to prominence post the year 2000 within our genre who could headline Hyde Park or any other stadium/festival? I’m not sure I can. That may not be a bad thing, but I will miss nights like last Friday, as genuine icons dazzled with their extraordinary back catalogues and stamina.

It has to be Neil Young, and then as a curveball, some Primal Scream from the Memphis album. Why? You ask. Standing next to me was Bobby Gillespie (see photo above with Dougie Hart of Jesus and Mary Chain), and I told him how I thought it was their best work, because it is. The radio show this week features a tribute to the latest series of The Bear, classic Janis Joplin, Whitney K, Kathleen Edwards, and many more. As ever…