Showing posts with label Festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Festival. Show all posts
25.10.15
WOMAD - 25-27.7.15
WOMAD was wet this year, very, very wet.
5.9.14
WOMAD: Thur - Sun 24- 27 July 2014
We all have local festivals.There are so many around now, it's hard to know how to choose which ones to go to.
Glastonbury's local to us, but buying tickets can be a trial; that's a euphemism for
BLOODY IMPOSSIBLE!!!
: /
WOMAD's so local you can use the most ....
simple transport.
Even at it's busiest, it's comfortably crowded.
Stall holders try to entertain with their displays no matter whether it's day time,
or night time.
Some campers really camp it up to the
MAX
: )
The
DESCIPLES OF DOOM
trying to convince us that the planet is devouring it's
LAST SUPPER.
I BELIEVE, I BELIEVE, I BELIEVE, I BELIEVE ....
Despite all the do-gooderey, all we want to do is sit in the crowd and have a good time.
Funny how children gravitate towards toys.
Funny how parents dress up baby buggies for festivals.
It's the latest sign of summer.
Grandpa and grandson bonding in the dappled shade.
Beautiful.
Steam fair.
It always surprises me just how many big gaffs are lurking in the British countryside.
Why didn't we riot??
You're at a festival so don't feel stilted,
Bee Happy!
Carnival of the childrens' art work.
Hang on, that's not a child!
What's to like?
It's local, for me at least, less than half an hour.
It's for charity
It's arty/inspiring.
The shopping's arty/hippy/classy.
Great for children and adults.
Fab food and drink and plenty of outlets.
Alcohol, in bottles, allowed on site!
What's to not like?
The music, if you're looking for the A list, you're out of luck.
If you want a festival that's big on acreage, tough. You'll never get lost here, it's compact.
Best in show?
The foods of the world tent, musicians talking and cooking. What a great idea.
Go again?
Of course, it's a local, relaxing way to spend a gastronomic weekend, with the added bonus of background music.
Latitude Thur - Sun 16 -20 July 2014
Quite posh 'ere.
So Posh that this sign is actually a
WATER FEATURE
I know!
Dwarling!
Me at the middle class LATITUDE FESTIVAL
Ooo'd-duv-fowrt?
First night of this most middle class of festivals and we have a perfect sunset.
Pimp my brolly Bro.
Shadow leaves on a tent.
A star, still alive!
A fashion designer, still alive.
Oh, yeh, him again .... immortal.
Saddlers Wells - Sooooo POSH
At last we spot some people dancing.
Even this Mohegan is swish to the point of sublime.
And the sheep, don't mention the sheep.
That guy?
Welsh I guess.
Shame he forgot his wellies.
What did we think of it?
OK, as long as you don't mind the commercial style of festival - Reading stylee. Also, no Chai tents, in fact no where to sit-in, to chill, to chat with like minded strangers. Thank goodness it was dry weather.
Food?
Forget eating your way around the world; not enough outlets, leading to very long queues for very average grub. All rather dull.
Flights of Fancy?
In terms of inspiring creativity, quite frankly there isn't any. Everything is establishment, old school, safe; the music and the comedy, and yes, even the avant guard Saddlers Wells, who've dropped their guard. All of it is excellent, none of it is challenging, or, better still, confusing.
Were we made to feel we'd contributed to the greater good. Not a chance. I have the feeling that Latitude would respond with, 'We're not a bloody charity!'
What was special?
A couple of things really stood out. That stage over the water, viewing from either bank, The Saddlers Wells Stage, was fantastic. It should have been used at all times. Sadly it was barely used at all. The other stand out thing was the Waterstones tent. Authors chatting about their books in an intimate setting and then, later, signing their books. The ex wine writer for the Guardian gave us all plenty of wine and made us laugh, or was that the alcohol? Truly excellent and v posh too.
Overall judgement, if it was on my doorstep I'd be thrilled, of course I would, but it's not and as such isn't worth a long drive.
Latitude has no soul, it's a flat-line event.
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