The 2010 NME Weekender kicked off last night (November 5) at Camber Sands Pontins holiday camp with Babyshambles headlining after sets from the likes of Fiction and Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster.
Pete Doherty‘s men took to stage only 15 minutes later than billed, and following a warm-up gig in Lewisham the night before, stormed through a full, hour and a half-long set, that included the likes of ‘What Katy Did’, ‘Killamangiro’, ‘Albion’ and closer ‘Fuck Forever’.
Earlier following sets from locally-based acts in the afternoon, The Strange Death Of Liberal England opened the main stage’s evening activities, followed by Fiction, who have recently finished a tour with Warpaint.
Over on the Radar Stage, Minnaars brought their spiky, shrieky electro-punk to a thronging crowd, at one stage requesting that the audience throw pound coins on stage to alleviate their poverty.
However Flats were forced to pull out of their set due to illness.
Back on the main stage Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster made an idiosyncratically bizarre, howling appearance ahead of the headliners, though suggested that the set could possibly be the band’s last.
Around halfway through the set frontman Guy McKnight told the crowd: “This is our last ever show. Nice to meet you.”
Although many believed the singer was joking, the band do not currently have any future dates scheduled.
Meanwhile Falmouth-based trio Tall Ships closed the Radar Stage with their propulsive, intricate fretwork that was reminiscent of Foals.
The NME Weekender continues today (November 6) with sets from NME Radar Tour band Chapel Club plus the likes of Heartbreaks, , and among those set to play.
