Oasis at Knebworth Park, Saturday 10August 1996

Was Knebworth really twenty years ago today? Britpop’s largest gathering and its triumphant zenith – two crazy days and 250,000 ‘mad for it’ fans. It’s said that 2.5 million people applied for tickets – one in twenty of the UK’s population. Double-night headliners, the unstoppable Oasis, were at the peak of their powers and nine special guest acts were summoned in support – the likes of the Manic Street Preachers, Prodigy, Ocean Colour Scene…and the Bootleg Beatles. Even Jarvis Cocker of Pulp lived-it-up large in the Guest Area – only Blur missed the party.

At noon, on the Saturday, just as the Bootlegs were winding-up their sound check, the gates were flung open and the band witnessed the incredible sight of innumerable hordes of ticketholders stampeding towards the mosh-pit from what seemed like another county.  Two hours later and the place was packed, heaving with expectation. The weekend’s music started at 2.00pm as the BBs launched into Come Together. Lift-off was instant. With only a thirty-minute set, song selection was vital – the powerful and the communal numbers were the order of the day. The five-piece Bootleg strings and brass added to the orchestral backdrop as the Knebworth Park crowd did their best to try to drown out the gigantic sound system as they sang along to All You Need Is Love – they almost succeeded.

An excellent rendition of Helter Skelter ripped the joint apart and then the gathered throng joined in for the Bootleg’s finale – singing their collective hearts out on the inevitable Hey Jude. It was all over in a flash. The echoing Jude chorus lingered well into the Chemical Brothers set, much to their chagrin (as they told Q magazine some months later). The BBs had launched the weekend in style.

As Day One headed towards its Mancunian climax, adrenalised bands on came off stage knowing they were revving up for a night of 90s fun. But not for the Bootlegs – gear packed, instruments away, the boys and orchestra girls climbed into their hired bus heading for a municipal do up the A1 in Bedford. Another park gig – just a little smaller.  Early to Bedfordshire as they say in the trade. It’s a tough business, but what a day.

BOOTLEG BEATLES KNEBWORTH SET

Come Together
Get Back 
Taxman
Strawberry Fields Forever
Penny Lane
All You Need Is Love

Helter Skelter
Revolution
Hey Jude