16.5.07

Wellies, wetwipes and bog roll: It's festival time



It's that time of the year that our minds turn to festivals. What is it with the British and festivals? At the last count there are some 450 festivals taking place across the country this summer. OK plenty don't qualify as festivals in the camping, Portaloo horror sense but it says something about Britain, no? Or does it say more about the increasing creep of brands and corporate (mobile, alcohol payola) into previously sacrosant spaces. This battle has been long lost, but it's worth breaking it down: for example do 02 (behind Wireless) really care about music, or their profit margins come the end of the financial year? The same applies to Southern Comfort and their Fat Tuesday brand.

The flipside is without sponsorhip and branding festivals cannot grow beyond a niche concern and size. Rob Da Bank (Bestival) was quoted in the Observer on Sunday saying he needs £1m to do Bestival which is a baby festival compared to Glastonbury, V, Reading, even the Big Chill.

If you're sick of that corporate vibe at UK festivals - like I am - then these foreign festivals are well worth exploring. Two others are Serbia's Exit - for the sheer wow factor and up for it atmosphere - and Sonar - for an example of how a modern european city can support underground, music, arts and culture. The day event takes place in the Institute Of Contemporary Catalan Culture. I hope that I see as cutting edge, underground event at either the Tate Modern or The National Portrait Gallery (which would be the London equivalent) before I die. I doubut it though.

Both Exit and Sonar are as branded as the average WAG, so missed the cut in this piece. Though to their credit, they still 'feel' authentic and relatively brand free spaces.

I also did a grassroots festival piece on UK festivals unspoilt by brands. drop me a line (r a v i n g r a h u l @ g m a i l . c o m - apologies for the spaces, it foils spammers apparently) if you want to know more about them...

Go Global Not Glasto


Combining a festival abroad with a short break or as part of a longer holiday can work wonders: Many foreign festivals seem to be cheaper (in some instances the price of a gig ticket here!) and take place in beautiful cities or unusual locations. Often the climate’s more reliable and you can incorporate a couple of days of rest and relaxation so you don’t feel like you need a holiday to recover from festival excesses. Here’s a guide to some of the less well-known, foreign festivals that are guaranteed to leave you awe-struck and imploring your mates to go next year.

DISSONAZE (Jun 1-2)
WHERE: The stately Palazzo Dei Ricevimenti e Dei Congressi in Rome, Italy.
WHAT: A showcase and celebration of cutting edge electronic music and digital art, set in a stunning building (with a roof terrace hosting events) featuring site-specific projects and installations.
WHO’S PLAYING: Phil Hartnoll (The Orb), composer Karlheinz Stockhausen, ‘new Daft Punk’ Digitalism, math-rock band Battles and Mike Patton (Faith No More), and DJs including Luciano and Ellen Allien.
WHO GOES: Electronic music and multi-media arts fans interested in the relationship between creativity and technology. Berlin and Shoreditch’s shabby-chic scenesters who feel Barcelona’s Sonar is now too ‘last year’ and commercial.
HOW MUCH: One day €25 in adv; two days €40 in adv, €45 door.
www.dissonanze.it

GOING NOWHERE (Jul 4-8)
WHERE: The Mars-like terrain of an exposed mountainside near Zaragoza, Spain. The nearest towns are 12km away and the nearest airport (Zaragoza), an hour’s drive.
WHAT: The European spin-off of America’s Burning Man, Going Nowhere is the place to go to escape festivals as we know them. You will not find any bands you have heard of, mobile phone charge points, or brand sponsorship.
You cannot buy anything, only exchange and barter or gift services and objects. You must take as much water, food, and living equipment that you need for the extreme conditions. And leave no trace (clean up after yourself… thoroughly).
WHO’S PLAYING? Nowhere’s built around the concept that it’s YOU, that makes the festival. So your participation and self expression – rather than spectating – is key.
WHO GOES: People that like a challenge, anti-capitalists and those bored of the ‘predictable’ festival experience.
HOW MUCH: €70 (until end of May)-€90
www.goingnowhere.org

THE GARDEN FESTIVAL
(July 6-8)
WHERE: Near Zadar, Croatia in a hotel complex hidden by a canopy of trees overlooking the Adriatic and two-minute walk from 900-year-old village, Petrcane.
WHAT: A ‘boutique festival’ with daytime beach and boat parties, live music stage and a kitsch 1960s club Barbarellas Discotheque, to dance ‘til dawn.
WHO’S PLAYING: Crazy P, Mr Scruff, Sean ‘Guilty Pleasures’ Rowley, The Unabombers and many more
WHO GOES? The programming reflects Gilles Peterson-style eclecticism and will appeal to fans of soulful, funky dance music, or people who like to party in a comfortable, relaxed environment and prefer an intimate, friendly atmosphere.
HOW MUCH: £30 for three day pass.
www.thegardenfestival2007.com

DANCE VALLEY
(Jul 14)
WHERE: The lush, undulating green valleys Spaarnwoude on the outskirts of Amsterdam, Holland.
WHAT: A ‘Circus Of Dance Music’, or an unashamed celebration of all dance music, whether cool or not. Now in its 11th year Dance Valley’s production values, breathtaking setting and easygoing vibe, makes it a unique experience and unlike any UK dance music festival.
WHO’S PLAYING: Ten arenas, and four stages, of dance music host trance gods Paul Van Dyk and Ferry Corsten, as well as Carl Cox, Tim Deluxe, Kenny Dope Gonzalez and Sandy Rivera.
WHO GOES: Like-minded, laidback clubbers who love hardcore dance music, particularly from the Benelux countries and across Europe.
HOW MUCH: £48.50
www.dancevalley.nl

LAKE OF STARS
(Oct 5-7)(pictured above)
WHERE: Chintheche Inn, Lake Malawi, Malawi,
WHAT: Now in its fourth year, Lake Of Stars is an altruistic festival organised by hugely popular UK club night, Chibuku (named after the local beer). Lake Of Stars brings together British and Malawian musicians to raise money for Unicef in Malawi and promote the country as a tourist destination.
WHO’S PLAYING:
Music ranges from gospel to house. This year’s line up includes Giles Peterson, Annie Mac, beatboxer Joe Driscoll, Rob Da Bank (Bestival), reggae band The Black Missionaries and ten strong Afrojazz band Wambali Mkandawire. More artists to be announced.
WHO GOES: Clubbers with a conscience and wanderlust, and open-minded, curious people that like world music, an adventure and the unpredictable.
HOW MUCH? Three-day ticket is £40 (+bf). www.lakeofstars.co.uk