Only a week late, but we have managed to catch some fireworks. We’re back in Phnom Penh after a brief trip down to the South Coast. This week is the water festival, as well as being Independence Day, and a Full Moon. So it’s all happening in Phnom Penh.
The Bon Om Thook water festival celebrates the changing direction of the Tonle Sap River at the end of the wet season. Don’t ask me how that works, but they have a big party anyway. As a well as a boat race with teams from each different province, big illumated floats going up and down the river at night a bit like a Disney Parade, and a big firework display.
The Cribs – slagged off global warming hippies. Modest Mouse – made the sun come out. Bright Eyes – didn’t slag off John Peel this time. Bloc Party – were as good as their last album. The Fratellis – forgot to switch the speakers on. Arcade Fire – are my new favourite band. Bjork – sang a ballad about a pregnant suicide bomber, but other than that was awesome. Seasick Steve – didn’t shoot his step dad. The Pipettes – are hot. The Long Blondes – have one good song, and yes, they played it last. CSS – … . Paul Weller – made me have weird dreams while I was sleeping in the tent. Noisettes – came on half an hour early and I missed them. Rodrigo y Gabriella – needed seven roadies to fix one guitar and started half an hour late, but it was worth it! Willy Mason – played on a stage about seven miles away from anything else, and then didn’t even play either of my two favourite songs. The Who – didn’t even smash their guitars.
