Thursday 28/06/07 Day Three @ Hove Festival, Arendal, Norway

One feels like this festival is starting to catch up with people. The general realisation waking up on day three is that we’ve actually got another two days to go – essentially we’re not even half way there yet. But, what a journey it’s been so far though with performances from The Killers, Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes, Amy Winehouse and Kaiser Chief, amongst others. It’s little wonder that it feels like we should currently be in a final day bubble of excitement.

Unlike the previous two days, day three sees a change of genre at the Hove Festival. It’s out with the big sounding, commercially friendly stadium rock and in with the rawness of hip-hop and coolness of indie chic. Today the main stage sees an assault from some of Hip-hops biggest names with Ludacris and Dipset, whilst the intimate amphi-stage will see performances from Tokyo Police Club, TV on the Radio and Interpol.

The day for Gigwise, however, like yesterday, begins in the rather big pink tent which is hidden away at the back of the festival site (mind you, there’s not much that isn’t hidden away at this festival by over hanging branches). It’s here that we catch 65daysofstatic – who have had their day one scheduled performance moved to today. Few can’t help but be impressed by the technical gauges of sound that this mainly instrumental band create. For what they lack in vocals, they make up in scything rhythms, heavy basslines and resplendent drumming. Today is no different. Taking songs from all three of their acclaimed albums, 65days are on fire in Norway, from the frenetic, ‘Await Rescue’ to the hypnosis of their most recent single, ‘Don’t Go Down To Sorrow.’ The well stocked Norwegian crowd are quickly won over by 65 day’s absorbing stage presence, which is constantly as intense as the industrial rock sounds that they create.

From 65daysofstatic to Tokyo Police Club is not your normal transition. How often do year hear math rock served up with a slice of garage punk? Playing on the festival’s amphi-stage – which we think we’ve decided by now is not only the best stage at the festival but also the best setting for a stage that we’ve ever witnessed – today Tokyo Police Club fail to live up to the glorious surroundings that they’re playing in. Opening with their autobiographical, self promoting song, ‘Cheer It On,’ much of the audience (who have actually turned up to see them) seem to be more into the bursts of sunlight as opposed to the crashes of noise.

On record, the Canadian band’s punchy guitars and catchy vocals are both endearing, and at times even brilliant. Today, however, these seem lost in the overwhelming surroundings. Singer Dave Monks’ vocals seem hidden on both forthcoming single ‘You’re English Is Good’ and ‘Nature Of The Experiment,’ whilst his band serve up little support to help him out. Maybe it was just one of those days? Whenever your PA cuts out for half a song and the audience is left listening to the un-amplified sound of a drum kit, it’s probably safe to say that it isn’t going to be your day.

For Gigwise, all the action today is on the amphi-stage (which we’re not complaining about). Although we wonder over to the main stage to see what Norwegian Hip-hop sounds like in the shape of Akala, we soon wish we hadn’t and return to the Gladiatorial arena for TV on the Radio.

You can’t help but feel sorry for TV on the Radio – they just ooze sympathetic emotions thanks to of their geeky appearance and lead singer Tunde Adebimpe’s dulcet conversations, which involve asking the crowd repeatedly if the band were sounding ok. Despite the performance getting off to a slow start, Adebimpe’s worries were over nothing. TV on the Radio’s alternative genteelism which flows from the bespoke sounds of ‘Province’ to the clandestine intensity of, ‘Staring At The Sun,’ is both fantastic and instantly endearing to Norwegian crowds.

They might not look like your average bunch of indie rockers but that’s refreshing things about them. Whilst Adebimpe swoops around the stage cradling his microphone like a baby, the rest of the band - David Andrew Sitek, Kyp Malone, Jaleel Bunton and Gerard Smith – are like his guardians, supplying the throbbing bass, intense guitars and synths of tracks like, ‘Wolf Like Me’ with sufficient ease. The band depart with a Norwegian crowd officially captivated by their kooky weirdness.