Face Of Cheam

Thankfully the weather stayed pleasant for this outdoor show with the early curfew of 9pm. I suppose that meant Pete Doherty headlining with his Babyshambles band could get back to rehab!
We got there early afternoon and saw our first artist Lily Allen. After justifying that her dad single-handily ruined football by inventing the premiership (actually all he did was appear on the New Order 1990 World Cup record) we get a good view down the front on the left. Besides the famous parent I didn't know too much about her besides that she was number one a few weeks ago. I was fairly impressed, the music is much UB40, but she had carefully thought out lyrics about being a modern girl with big earrings sung or rapped with the South London Brixtonesque twing!
Off to the tent after for the Pipettes. A well received poppy set, very similar to when I saw them before although it appeared (as Gwen, above, introduced a wrong song)that they had to cut a few songs for timing purposes.
Back to the main stage for press darlings the Young Knives. I really didn't see what the fuss is. You know you're on dodgy ground when the singer is in a tweed suit. Musically not that great, close to We Are Scientists but we're getting dangerously close into late 80s guitar tuneless terrioty. After getting something to eat and generally looking around we see Buzzcocks for 'Ever Fallen In Love' before heading back to the tent for British Sea Power. (Bloke in red above). Good guitar melodies, trying to be a bit too epic in places but still good. Highlight for me was standing next to Rose from the Pipettes who had changed into an all black outfit. No chance to do my celebrity chat up, generally composed of prodding their arm with my finger shouting their name, as she was chain smoking, drinking and generally looking very stroppy with her male gang of friends, although the only one she really talked too could well have been her brother as they looked pretty similar. Alas her on fun stage persona isn't permanent! Still would though!
Back to the music and we enter the final band, the much hyped Babyshambles. Pete Doherty looked very coherent and was wearing a QPR polo shirt. Musically I think they are a bit hit & miss although he did do two Libertine songs, the superb 'Time For Heroes' and the music hall number 'What Katy Did'. The rest was generally good and at 8.50 exactly forty minutes after coming on he ends with 'F--- Forever' which is probably the best song.
All in all a good day. Managed to get fairly good views of the bands we wanted to see and the whole show was under £30.00 whereas he's playing Brixton in a couple of months for £20.00 meaning that the day was very good value.