Review of Amanda Brunker on the Vodafone Stage this afternoon at Oxegen
Atmosphere: Absent
High: The sun shining on Gitano's upbeat Spanish guitar playing
Low: Brunker's brief appearance
Quote: "What a great place to start"
Verdict: Short, very short
Stars out of five: *
It has long been said of the music industry that it isn't what you know that matters but who you know.
Amanda Brunker was given the chance to make her maiden live musical performance at Oxegen this afternoon after emailing concert promoter Denis Desmond to inform him she had recorded some songs. She was a late addition replacing the injured Jessie J on the bill.
The model cum writer opened proceedings on the Vodafone stage, the festival's second largest, to a sparse crowd. She was accompanied by Gitano, a band fronted by Irish-based Spanish guitarist Francisco Garcia.
The performance was brief to say the least. Gitano opened with an accomplished upbeat Spanish guitar number before inviting their special guest on stage and on walked Brunker, dressed in a hippy style headband and flowing floral shirt.
A reworked version of U2's With or Without You, less the majority of the lyrics, followed with Brunker's vocals barely audible beneath some heavy reverb.
And after one track that was it for her. "I didn't have the bravery to do anymore," she said.
Gitano, somewhat aptly, followed her performance with a song entitled Desperado.
Brunker stayed and danced along before saying "what a great place to start" and exiting the Vodafone stage just 10 minutes after she arrived.
Her addition to the bill raised a few eyebrows in the lead up to the festival.
"There was a little more press than I expected," Brunker said. "I'd like to dedicate this [show] to all the lovers and the haters."
She need not have worried, there were very few of either on hand to witness it.
