OASIS, JET, BECK GO ACROSS THE NARROWS

Over the weekend (October 1 & 2)the Across The Narrows festival took place at ballparks in the New York City boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn. Artists on Staten Island included the Killers on Saturday and Oasis, Jet, Doves, Kasabian and others on the bill for Sunday. Coney Island, Brooklyn got treated to sets by a throng of band including the Pixies on Saturday and closing performances by the Polyphonic Spree and Beck on Sunday.

Of the festival Doves drummer Andy Williams said that the festival may have a bright future.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a setting like this. It’s an amazing setting. There are these ships going past in the background. It’s great, really good. There could’ve been a few more people around, but I heard there was something going on in Brooklyn, isn’t there? So, yeah I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like this. I’m sure it’s got a good future.”

Williams compared the run of festivals in America including Coachella, Austin City Limts and Vegoose, to the long-held tradition of festivals in the U.K. and in Europe.

“As you say, in England and in Europe there’s a history of festivals. Glastonbury has been going since, what, 1970? So it’s quite a part from Coachella, a couple of other festivals, Austin…It’s quite a new thing really for the states. But as far as, if you’re a punter it’s great. You pay whatever, I don’t know how much it is to go, but you see loads of bands rather than shelling out to go see separate bands, so…”

The total four day festival had a good line-up but none of the dates were sold out. Sunday proved to be more successful than Saturday’s line-up, but the moderate temperatures gave everyone who came to both minor league baseball parks a great setting to enjoy the festivals. Other bands who appeared included the Lemonheads, New York Dolls, Ravonettes, Redwalls and Whirlwind Heat.