My Greenbelt Five: Jon Curtis
We’re asking people for My Greenbelt Five – five things at this year’s Greenbelt that they’re excited about. To see all Greenbelt Fives, click here »
Here’s Jon Curtis, part of Exeter punk heroes The Cut Ups, and Greenbelt volunteer as part of the music team:
1. Listener (above)
Listener are the most exciting band that I’ve seen in years! Dan Smith is a true poet, mystic and punk rock hero rolled into one! There is no genre pigeonhole available for this band, but if you can imagine a hardcore band, a 21st century Woody Guthrie, and some sort of organic hip-hop, you’re still miles away! They call it Talk-Music. Absolutely will not be missing this!!!
I was a big fan of Franz Nicolay when he was a significant part of The Hold Steady – but his solo stuff just has so many more levels. When I reach out for an LP that documents humanity, I would previously have gone for The Hold Steady – now I head straight for Franz. Such a great musician and performer too!
Roddy Woomble was my favourite thing about Greenbelt last year – getting to watch Idlewild again as they blew every other band that night away was brilliant, but those songs stick with me all year ‘round. His folk music work is no less memorable, and perhaps even more charming and warmth inducing.
Rita Brock tackles the big questions when it comes to the tricky back catalogue of our faith, and our fellow believers. While others are content to critique, her work offers real answers and possible progressions in the face of genocide, empire-building and wars that are continued in God’s name.
5. Jackie Oates
Jackie Oates will be someone in the future that we reminisce about seeing at Greenbelt! Bold instrumentation and real soul make this a definite for me!
