To see photos of the Extraganza, click on this link: To listen to an interview with Michael Eavis talking about what he thought of the event, click on this link: This was my first time at the Glastonbury Abbey Musical Extravaganza. Arriving with only a hastily bought bag of crisps and a baguette for food, I quickly realised my error, as people began setting up their tables, chairs, three-course buffets, and BBQs, whilst opening bottles of champagne. Feeling more than a little inadequate, I tucked into my crisp baguette and sat on my carrier bag, whilst hatching a plan to swipe a hot dog from the nearest table. Just as I was about to put my ingenious plan into action in true Misson Impossible-style, the first act of the night came on stage and the show was underway! Friday night The bluesy bald-headed Irishman that is Foy Vance was the first support act of the night. I hadn't heard of him before, but based on his opening set, I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for him in the future. Quite rocky and funky in some parts, whilst reminding me of a male Tracy Chapman in others, he had a great voice and made quite an impression.  | | Soul-tastic with Joss Stone |
A quiet and almost shy Emiliana Torrini was on next. Sounding like a cross between Bjork and the lead singer of the Sneaker Pimps, she sang pretty, chilled out songs. Whilst she suited that time of the evening, she was much less of an entertainer than Foy Vance had been. Not as engaging, her music was more what you'd have on as a CD in the background of a dinner party. Finally, Joss Stone, who was headlining the night, bounded on to the stage, opening up with hits such as Super Duper Love, Don't Cha Wanna Ride and Fell in Love With a Boy. Strutting and dancing, and putting all her energy into the performance, the sultry soul-singer had people up on their feet and joining in right from the start. Some memorable moments included a cover of Under Pressure by Queen which, although you had to be there to see it, sounded incredible, and also the turn of the backing singers who, halfway through the set, sang some funky Motown numbers. Brimming with confidence, Joss has a truly amazing and powerful voice and definitely has that extra something which makes for a special night. She kept it to upbeat songs too, which was definitely a good thing. After she ended with Some Kind of Wonderful, the fireworks display got going. I was completely transfixed, witnessing one of the best firework displays I've ever seen. Saturday night This was the classical night which got underway with the Corelli Quartet playing a mixture of music, ranging from Goldfinger, from the James Bond film, to the Charleston, to Scarborough Fair. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra started out by playing sounds from the stage, film and music halls, including the overture to Start Up the Band by Gershwin, and Eric Coates' famous march from the 1950s' war film The Dam Busters.  | | Nigel Kennedy, aka Gary Rhodes! |
Local tenor Tim Pitman took the place of Pavarotti in Puccini's Nessun Dorma, and the Union Jack flags came out in force when The Hornpipe, and Pomp and Circumstance, were played. Nigel Kennedy performed in the second half of the concert. Walking on stage with a mug of tea, shiny jacket, and spiky hair, whilst shouting "yo", "oi", and "everybody ready to rumble?" down the mike, he looked anything but a typical classical musician! That perception soon changed, though. When he started to play, it became abundantly clear that this Gary Rhodes lookalike is amazingly talented. At times, it seemed like his violin was almost singing. Although I wasn't familiar with Elgar's Violin Concerto in B Minor, it was a beautiful piece of music which held you in a lovely, warm place from beginning to end. I do think Nigel Kennedy has some kind of split-personality thing going on, however. On the one hand he's this bloke who wears bizarre clothes and swears a lot, and yet when he plays the violin, he becomes incredibly focused, entering into an almost trance-like state, where he proceeds to make the most beautiful sound from his violin. But one thing's for sure – he can certainly play the fiddle! To finish off the night, there was a re-enactment of the Battle of Trafalgar which was shown on the big screens, accompanied by music, fireworks and water fountain displays. Sunday night The last night of the Glastonbury Abbey Musical Extravaganza was all about jazz, and the Sammy Milson Jazz Band kicked off in a traditional style. The Rat Pack - Live from Las Vegas was on tour, straight from the West End. With Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, and Dean Martin singing such hits as The Lady is a Tramp, Mr Bojangles, I've Got You Under My Skin, That's Amore, and Fly Me to the Moon, the night took you back to the glamourous era of partying, drinking, and entertaining in the Sands Hotel, Las Vegas in the 1950s.  | | The Rat Pack's Dean Martin |
The performers who played Frank, Sammy and Dean all took their turn on the stage, joking and entertaining the crowd in between the songs. Although I didn't absolutely love this night, I did find it funny and enjoyable, and couldn't resist joining in with songs such as Mac the Knife, Strangers in the Night and the final song, New York, New York. Nor, it seems, could others, as by the end of the night, there were a fair few people that had surged to the front of the stage, and who were dancing and singing away. Another amazing firework display ended the last night of the Extravaganza, and I actually felt quite sad that it had all come to an end. It had been a great set of concerts, which were all very different, but which all had tremendous atmosphere in the truly beautiful setting of the Abbey grounds. The organisation and planning of the event all seemed to have worked brilliantly, and I was very impressed with the clear pathways which led all too conveniently to the Pimms and cocktail tent! Even the weather held out, with the last night being a particularly beautiful summer's evening. With wine and champagne-quaffing a must, this is definitely the event to go to if you're at a loose end next August! | 
