Ska fun in the Surrey sun
By the time the Dub Pistols took to the Guilfest main stage, the heavy rain that appeared earlier in the afternoon had gone, and the sun had returned making the perfect setting for their hip-hop meets ska with a hint of funk and electronica style. Not the most snappy of descriptions, but then it's not easy to stick the West London collective into one box.
They were joined, as they often are, by Specials legend Terry Hall, meaning that here was something for music fans young and not so young.
At times this set consisted of straight up hip-hop, other points we had a reggae performance, and then they would drift off into more rock influenced material which was reminiscent of the Prodigy.
Maybe it was the weather, and the laid back nature of Guilfest, but at times it seemed like the Dub Pistols weren't totally connecting with the crowd on mass, however their three closing songs made sure they left on a high.
First up was an electronica style cover of Blondie's 'Rapture', a cover which features on the band's most recent album 'Speakers and Tweeters'. Next up was their most famous collaboration with Terry Hall, the excellent reggae track 'Problem Is'.
Inevitably the last word was left to the Specials, with a track that the Dub Pistols have done their own re-working of. 'Gangsters' is a classic of mighty proportions, and rounded the set off perfectly.
Dub Pistols have a string of festival appearances lined up for the rest of the summer, including V, Beautiful Days, Bestival and Creamfields, as well as Nottinghill Carnival. If you're looking for a good time at any of these then the Dub Pistols are certainly a band to check out.