Editorial: 10 to see at ATP vs Pitchfork

May 9-11 sees the first of two successive ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’ weekenders at the home of the original ATP, Camber Sands Holiday Park in Rye. For those of you unfamiliar with ATP (where have you been?!), the format makes it one of the most original and innovative festivals on the planet today. Artists are chosen by curator(s) (normally a band, though in this case it’s American Pavement obsessives Pitchfork) , and as the event is fortunately hosted at Butlin’s, revellers get to avoid sleeping in a muddy field in damp clothes for three days and instead get a chalet to live in.

In the past ATP has hosted a plethora of legendary artists including Aphex Twin, Mogwai, Sonic Youth, Shellac and The Mars Volta. ATP hasn’t been bad for showcasing hip young upstarts, either, with TV On The Radio, Joanna Newsom and Youthmovies all playing in the last two years. Here’s 10 of our choices on who to see at ‘ATP vs. Pitchfork’.

Date: 07/05/08

ATP CURATED (Luke Slater)

MARISSA NADLER: Nadler’s ethereal vocals are certainly one not to miss at ATP vs. Pitchfork. The American folk songstress released her third studio album, Songs III: Bird on the Water to much critical acclaim back in March, following on from the success of her debut effort Ballads of Living and Dying and 2005’s follow-up The Saga of Mayflower May. To describe Marissa Nadler’s music as otherworldly is a massive injustice; hers is a voice so painfully fragile and beautifully delicate that it jumps straight into the deepest recesses of your heart. Backed by not often much more than a gently picked acoustic guitar, Nadler’s vocals rightly take centre stage in her simple yet superb compositions. Her appearance at ATP is one of only four in the UK before taking her haunting melodies on a European Tour throughout May.

Where and when: Second Stage, Sunday at 4pm

MEAT PUPPETS:  Undoubtedly most famous for being guest musicians in Nirvana’s now legendary Unplugged In New York performance for MTV, the American three-piece are still going strong after their second reunion, which saw brothers Cris and Curt Kirkwood reunited in the band for the first time since their 1996 split. The fruits of their reformation have been last year’s comeback album ‘Rise To Your Knees’, the Puppets’ first album for seven years. With such demonstrated versatility ranging from hardcore to folk rock and a sprinkling of grunge in between you’ll want to catch the brothers Meat (plus drummer Ted Marcus…) before they split up again, then reform again…expect to hear plenty of offerings from their most critically acclaimed release and fans’ favourite Meat Puppets II.

Where and when: Second Stage, Sunday at 10pm

SEBADOH: Formed back in 1986 by the bassist of ATP favourites Dinosaur Jr., Lou Barlow, and reformed once again in 2007 with bassist Jason Lowenstein and multi-instrumentalist Eric Gaffney returning to the lineup, Sebadoh returned last year after a 14 year break. Northampton’s (Northampton, Massachusetts that is…) own Sebadoh were pioneers in the late 1980s/early 1990s American lo-fi indie rock movement that spawned groups such as perennial Pitchfork darlings Pavement and ultimately influenced the “grunge” movement that followed. LPs Sebadoh III and Bubble and Scrape (to be performed in its entirety at London’s Koko on the Wednesday before ATP kicks off) are timeless classics of the genre, and are made brilliant by both Barlow’s often dark and pensive song writing and Gaffney’s sheer willingness to experiment.

Where and when: Main Stage, Friday at 7.30pm

BORN RUFFIANS: Canadian indie-rock three-piece already making it massive in the UK. Well, not quite, but it’s surely only a matter of time. Not to mention the fact that they appeared on default favourite teen drama Skins. How about that for a seal of approval?! Born Ruffians’ debut LP Red, Yellow and Blue may well find its way into many end-of-year lists with tracks ranging from some guaranteed dancefloor hits like Hummingbird to some Panda Bear-like psychedelic sparseness on title track ‘Red, Yellow and Blue’. With a sound far grander than their three-members should allow, Born Ruffians offer something bold, bright and brilliant with some neatly placed eccentric backing chants, and a rollercoaster vocal performance from lead-man Luke LaLonde. Should the sun shine on Camber Sands, Born Ruffians should provide the perfect soundtrack for those of an equally sunny disposition.

Where and when: Second Stage, Saturday at 4.30pm

FUCK BUTTONS: Fuck Buttons take their place alongside the equally elegantly named Pissed Jeans and Shit and Shine in the curse-word heavy ATP curated section. The two piece Bristol noise-merchants are signed to ATP recordings, so it’s perhaps not a particular surprise to see them on the bill, but on the back of their debut ‘Street Horrrsing’ their brand of ambient drone does all the talking, or noise-making if you will. Bordering on a soundtrack to the apocalypse, ‘Street Horrrsing’ has rightly received rave reviews from all corners, and was given a helping hand by some more ATP darlings, John Cummings of Mogwai and Bob Weston of Shellac. Expect a veritable platter of sound from Fuck Buttons, with fuzz a-plenty, tribal drums, simian screeches and interminable drones on offer. To the untrained ear this may sound much like crude noise, but dig deeper and you find an endless goldmine of nuances, subtleties, and sonic satisfaction.

Where and when: Second Stage, Friday at 9.15pm

PITCHFORK CURATED (Paul Richards)

BON IVER: Former DeYarmond Edison man Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) brings his hushed tones and gentle strumming to the Pitchfork side of the ATP weekender. His beautiful melancholic debut For Emma, Forever Ago, recorded in four month solitude in a cabin in northwest Wisconsin has gathered widespread critical acclaim. His trembling falsetto vocals are likely to appeal to those familiar with fellow folk singer-songwriter Iron & Wine, however his sound is strikingly more evolved than the latter. His simple yet astounding vocals leave you wondering whether any other form of musical accompaniment is needed. Bon Iver’s lyrics that hound loneliness and isolation as a recurring theme may not seem ideal for a summer festival; however the eloquence of his delivery should ensure that he should be top of your artists to see this weekend. His debut LP is reissued in the UK and Europe on 12 May on the 4AD label.

Where and when: Main Stage, Saturday at 3.45pm

OF MONTREAL: Elephant 6 favourites Of Montreal bring their evolving take on indie pop to this year’s festival and will be, without doubt, a highlight. Flamboyant front man Kevin Barnes will surely light up any festival with his extravagant stage presence. Is there a better front man at the moment? I doubt it. Never one to rest on one sound from album to album, of Montreal have experimented with psychedelic rock, funk, krautrock, electronic and vaudeville amongst others. With an extensive back catalogue to choose from (nine studio albums in just eleven years) expect a varying set including favourites from last years concept album Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? and new material from the up-coming Skeletal Lamping. The enigmatic Barnes certainly won’t disappoint.

Where and when: Main Stage, Sunday at 6.30pm

THE HOLD STEADY: Pitchfork favourites The Hold Steady are so hopelessly out of place in a world full of trilbies and plaid shirts that you cannot help fall in love with them. Craig Finn’s character based lyrics have led to comparisons from Bruce Springsteen to Jarvis Cocker whereby they deal with universal situations. Whilst they are not Pulp soundalikes, Brooklyn’s The Hold Steady are unashamedly classic rock at a time when it is so unfashionable. Moreover, their three LPs to date have been consistently exceptional. Their last album, the critically acclaimed Boys And Girls In America, simply sounded like no other record in 2006 with standouts ‘Stuck Between Stations’, ‘Chips Ahoy!’ and ‘Chillout Tent’. With their new release Stay Positive just around the corner we can only hope they preview new material at this year’s festival. Now go and grow a moustache like Franz Nicolay before it’s too late.

Where and when: Main Stage, Sunday at 8.00pm

JENS LEKMAN: Swedish indie popper Jens Lekman is nothing short of a household name in his native country. Actually that’s not technically true, or partly true. But in a perfect world he would be. For those who haven’t heard last years astounding Night Falls Over Kortedala (which Pitchfork unsurprisingly gave 9.0/10) should treat themselves whilst the sun is beaming this weekend. Lekman’s strong baritone coupled with sweeping strings will either melt your heart or leave you wondering why you bothered in the first place. However, for those who like their indie pop personal, full of charm and tongue firmly in cheek should head over to the main stage on Sunday. The Swede’s deadpan delivery, reminiscent of Stephin Merritt at his best, lends weight to the grand orchestral surroundings his new songs encompass. For those who prefer a more stripped down affair with a hefty slice of lyrical irony should check out his debut When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog from 2004.

Where and when: Main Stage, Sunday at 2.00pm

LOS CAMPESINOS!: Cardiff seven piece Los Campesinos! bring their energetic and infectious live performance to ATP vs. Pitchfork just two years after their first gig. With giddy boy/girl vocals, handclaps and glockenspiels the group aren’t exactly what you’d call your typical modern day indie outfit. As debut LPs go, this year’s Hold on Now, Youngster... ranks dangerously close to the top of most indie poppers ‘best of 2008’ lists, a topic the group tackle on their debut. If ‘You! Me! Dancing!’ doesn’t get you doing exactly what it says it should, your legs and feet should be permanently removed. Meanwhile indie dance floor anthem ‘Death To Los Campesinos!’ could quite possibly make you explode with happiness whilst vomiting at how they’ve achieved such a perfect pop song at such a tender age. Just make sure you mop up afterwards.

Where and when: Main Stage, Saturday at 6.30pm

Words: Luke Slater & Paul Richards