Yet Another Festival Marathon
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Every year, for probably the last 8 years, well, since the “season from hell” 2016 when things were on our side, I have considered giving up trading at festivals. Of course its fun, even a little bit too much sometimes, but it is also super hard work. It’s also always a bit of a gamble. Any severe weather really affects the trade. That isn’t just too much rain, it includes too much sun too.
I’m a one woman band really, but my friends come to festivals with me to help and experience the scene from a different angle. Sometimes people you thought you knew and you thought were reliable will let you down and not even turn up. Then you are there in a field setting up pitch in severe weather, on your own. These things really do happen.
But despite the financial risks and and all the physically hard work I still do it! 12 years plus down the line. I guess I do still enjoy it, and the set up is there, I just need to top up by making some more stock, so what’s another season hey!?
I like doing a little “warm up” festival before hitting Glastonbury just to make sure everything is in place, but this year we were straight in at the deep end. Luckily we hadn’t forgotten anything major so that went all pretty smoothly. I watched Jungle and Justice at West Holt. Rest of my time off I was back at The Mez Yard like last year.
As usual Love Supreme was straight after Glastonbury. I think I mentioned that I call this one the easy “village fate”. Not this time! I don’t I have ever had to set up pitch in such high winds! Oh my! Relentless! It did continue though out the festival and just about calmed down on Sunday. Jeez! High wind is worse than rain i found. More unpredictable. Anyhow.. we survived. Chaka Khan was headlining. It was sadly a bit disappointing. I still danced to all the classics though of course.
After a bit of a disasterous return last year, Secret Garden Party had decided to do one last “Back to Our Roots” smaller scale run. Personally I always liked SGP better when it was small. And this year didn’t disappoint. Quirky, creative and fun, just like it used to be without the “Carling youth”. Ren was headlining. Never knew his fan base was obsessed with him. Some coming all the way from Australia. Leigh plus my friends Charlotte and Tara came along on the stall and it turned into one of those hilariously silly weekends, aching with laughter!
Straight from Cambridgeshire we headed to Oxforshire for Wilderness. I’m always in two minds about doing this one. It’s become so commercial with their big sponsors. This year they had Audi, their sponsor parade a car through the festival. I mean really?
Line up was weak, as usual. I think I made an effort to go and see De La Soul and that was about it.
Charlotte from Tantrum Clothing was sharing stall with me, which was fun as usual.
This year I was really excited about adding two new festivals routes to our summer road trip. Greenman and Shambala! Never been to Greenman before but heard many good things. Shambala on the other hand I used to share a stall with my dear friend Chloe from Crystal Vintage. But never done it as Shaboutique.
After a weekend of on the south coast tending my allotment, We hit the road for the Welsh valleys of Brecon Beacon. It’s beautiful to say the least. Those rolling green hills…
We were trading the “Wellbeing Area” which I wasn’t quite sure how it was going to work out. But to be fair, its such a small festival, everyone goes everywhere eventually. It’s quite a band heavy festival. Lot’s of Indie and rock plus some folky vibes thrown in too. Sitting watching Big Thief on the mainstage slope was lush. Family friendly with no corporate sponsors, just good vibes all around.
From Wales we drove stright to Northamptonshire. Oh Shambala, how I have missed you! Even ariving gave me a little buzz. It used to be my favourite and it did not disappoint this time either. It still holds the magic. It’s so naughty, yet family friendly. Punk, Berlin techno, disco, folk, you name it its all there. Interactive installations, dark puppet theatre, burleque, workshops.. Oh and nearly everyone dresses up! This years theme was “Wild and Free!” So many incredibly cool costumes! And most of them handmade. Oh I love this place! The only let down was my so called friend that let me down on the day she was mean to be there. Which meant one less crew which meant longer shifts which meant less time to enjoy the festival… OK, let go now.
Last but not least it’s the usual End Of The Road. It’s usually a sell out festival, but it felt busier that usual this year. Also a wider range of traders meant there was less vintage clothes which means less competition for us. It was good! Whatever the trader balance/ticket sale formula was this year, please repeat it next year!
Line up wise, again, not really my bag , but Altin Gun was playing which I have been wanting to see for a very long time. But the female singer wasn’t there! It was just the guy… It was ok, but not the same energy…
But we don’t mind our spot looking over the Woods (main) stage. We get to listen to a lot of bands we would never go out of our way to see. Let’s call it educational.
