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The Review - MUSIC - grooves with CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 24 April 2008

Grooves

THIS may be a controversial opinion, but the Camden Crawl ain’t what it used to be.
Where were all the secret top-notch bands? Where was the buzz?
A London festival that takes over our streets but is full of out-of-towners is not what we need or want.
“Bring back the big bands and put it back on a weekday.
Although reviewers have given this year’s Crawl the thumbs up, I’m left wondering if they’ve been to one before.
“And I don’t think all the nationals saying “what a wonderful show” is necessarily the applause organisers should be seeking anyway.
What about the locals who want to go to a fun music festival on their doorstep? A Facebook group called Camden Against the Crawl is more than just a bunch of whingers.
“Once a year, we all spend a weekend unable to drink in our locals, which are full of spotty teenagers wearing skinny jeans, pointy shoes, too much hairspray and flowery scarves,” they moan.
“It’s lovely to live somewhere so wonderful that people want to visit, but I wish they wouldn’t bother.
“Let them all flock somewhere else to watch whatever Libertines clones are de rigeur.”
That’s a bit unfair, but organisers should take note that without having a bit more respect for Camden – the venues, the residents and the local paper – they face alienating it.
This year two big bands who were rumoured to play – The Kaiser Chiefs on Friday and The Arctic Monkeys on Saturday – were both a no-show.
I’m in favour of mixing it up and listening to up-and-coming acts, but if you’re going to fork out £50 you deserve to get your money’s worth.

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