The John Peel tribute concert at London's Queen Elizabeth hall was a glorious oxymoron: a star-spangled elegy to a man whose life was devoted to championing the new and unproven. As though aware of the contradiction, the organisers chose to balance the line-up, juggling established bands such as New Order and Super Furry Animals with younger acts who have yet to make it - and possibly never will. Peel's taste was nothing if not eclectic.
Proceedings kicked off with a set by long-term Peel favourites The Fall, as front-man Mark E Smith stalked the stage like a demented Jeffrey Barnard, slapping at the drum kit, up-ending the microphone stand, and delivering an electrifying song "about John".
Recent discovery Laura Cantrell changed the pace with a lilting acoustic set, while US singer-songwriter Jawbone (a graduate of Peel's final Festive 50) turned in an ingenious display of one-man-band pyrotechnics. Misty in Roots and Venetian Snares also played. Among various guest hosts who stepped up to offer tributes to the late Radio 1 DJ were Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker, Feargal Sharkey of The Undertones, Griff Rhys Jones, and Delia Smith. The night ended with a set from New Order. Peppering the live acts were video messages. Proceeds go to the homeless charity, Shelter.
Outside in the rain, paying punters appeared evenly divided between those there to see the bands and those who had simply come to say goodbye. Others were wary of making a distinction. "You can't separate Peel from the music, they are one and the same thing," said David Burroughs, 38, down from Peel's native Liverpool to attend the show. "The music was all that he was about. It was in his DNA."
On stage, Jarvis Cocker said: "Part of what tonight is about is to keep the spirit of John Peel alive. To seek out new music and champion new talent."
Peel died from heart failure in October 2004, on holiday in Peru. He had diabetes, and reportedly had complained of a heavy workload. His death at 65 saw him hailed as one of Britain's most cherished broadcasters.
Joining BBC Radio 1 at its birth in 1967, he remained there despite a sometimes fractious and occasionally stormy relationship. His enthusiasm for music, tempered by a laconic wit, made him impervious to changing fashions.
Last night's tribute concert was organised by Peel's former BBC paymasters, and kicked off the inaugural Peel Day which takes place today, the anniversary of his final broadcast. Radio 1 is celebrating with six hours of airtime this evening, with outside broadcasts from more than 300 concerts across the UK in his honour. The event is supported by his widow, Sheila, and his son, Tom Ravenscroft.
Not all of Peel's nearest and dearest are impressed by the tone of the celebrations. Broadcaster Andy Kershaw, who worked alongside him, questioned whether Peel Day was a fitting memorial to a man who looked to the future, not the past. "He'd think it was maudlin. Don't get me wrong, he would have liked the attention. He had a big ego on him. But I think he would object to it on the grounds that it was nostalgia-driven. He'd think we ought to spend less time doing stuff like this, and more time ploughing through stacks of records looking for the next Fall."
