Published: 10 June, 2010
by ROISIN GADELRAB

OK, I can admit when I’m wrong. Yes, the mid-30s crowd did turn up to Finsbury Park to witness Rage Against the Machine’s victory show on Sunday, but they were vastly outnumbered by a younger wave of mosh-ready devotees. 

While the “oldies” gathered around the fringes, the hardened fans were ready to turn the entire park into one swirling whirlpool of flailing legs, fists and elbows. 

Whether it be the shoddy sound system, or maybe he just wasn’t feeling it, support Roots Manuva sadly failed.

But mental electro DJs South Central took over, stirring things up into a frenzied rave, but making a quick exit when some impatient fans began pelting them with bottles.

Gogol Bordello killed it. Their rousing gypsy rock was the ideal precursor to an incredible set from Rage and they were serious contenders for best act of the night.

Clearly milking their X-Factor victory for all its worth, but with tongue in cheek, Rage came on to an animated Simon Cowell video, later playing defeated Joe McElderry’s Christmas number 2.

The set was a gracious one, they covered all the big hits, brought out the Facebook group founders – whose internet campaign projected them back to UK stardom – to thank them and handed over 100 per cent of profits from winning single Killing in the Name Of to Shelter.

They played it like each of the 40,000 fans had paid them to play a private set.

It was manic, unruly, messy, rebellious – calling on US government to condemn counterparts in Israel – dangerous and glorious.