Thems were beautiful days, thems in 2015

Liam Queralt
Jul 27, 2017 · 4 min read

Beautiful days is the Earl Grey of festivals, while it retains all of the character and left-wing hippy spirit of years gone, between Shambala and Bestival on the hippyometer and differing in that, the drum and bass/electronic scourge that has infiltrated our land of enjoyable muddy relaxation is segregated from the human end of the festival, with the normally inescapable ketamine fuelled pppsssssssss and loud guffawing of 17 year old hive idiocy on NO2 balloons, an optional addition to your weekend rather than a necessity (like I is at rival Boomtown).

This is a family festival, for families who want awesome children banging samba drums and making noise instead of neatly colouring in the lines, it’s the only place I’ve seen grow over time in mind, rather than size and cost, but in the education of youth, through the distorted hairy medium of the Levellers. Every time the levellers release a new CD, a new generation of mini-Levs seem to be inspired, and thus during their set this year, 16 year olds could be seen singing along to ‘Letters from the Underground’ in the same way the oldies cried along to ‘Julie’ and screamed ‘LIBERTYYYYY’ and I (being a latecomer to the party) chant along to songs from GreenBladeRising. I can’t think of another band that has remained so relevant over such time and as role models (maybe if just in their music and lyrics, if you’ve seen the new DVD), you won’t find much better across the generation gap than the Levellers.

In intriguing contrast as a festival that has refused cooperate sponsorship since it began, the main stage is hosted by John Lyden, of Country Life butter fame. Make up your own mind, the cider is local & cheap (price pegged for about 5 years now!) and everybody smiles at you!

Music. The top spot in my heart this year has been torn between two opposing forces, who were previously unknown to me, both early in the day on ‘The Big Top’. First bite at the apple was ‘The Moullettes’. After a little research, these guys have been rocking for years and their music has changed quite a lot over time, but with such a powerful, despite being eerily calm, stage presence and array of funky sounds spanning traditional folky through to almost (verging on) dubstep, but performed really tastefully with a bassoon and cello and backed by stunning surround sound orbital voices from all members and some ethereal drum parts (not a word that normally comes with drums right?!). What a band. To be seen and fully absorbed live. While I might (as a slightly pedantic chap) correct their pluralisation of ‘Octopuses’ and their ‘Behemoth’ song about hypothesised deep marine mammalian noises, It would be childish to take them so seriously, when in spite of meaning, the songs were so well constructed and performed throughout. I was amazed by the set and this is rare for this grumpy old bean here.

Tied with The Moulettes were a much smaller avalanche of noise, more earthy, very honest and humbling to behold, Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin. With a big introduction of guitar and banjo, a stunning voice, we relaxed and sat back thinking we could take a nap with the folky backdrop… but no, the pace increased and the energy built constantly throughout the set into what could practically be described as a ‘noisegasm’ with Hannah Martin’s stunning Americana toned voice cutting sharply through the bizarre but wonderful sound of a beatbox-harmonica and violently bashed guitar riff until we all laid back and lit a cigarette, satisfied and limp… It was a journey that couldn’t be escaped and we all rode it together. Another cracking performance and coming to Sussex Folk Festival soon, jump on that.

Other great moments came with 5 separate bands attempting to cover the Levellers classic ‘One Way’ probably best achieved by ‘Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs’ twice during the weekend, in the Big Top and then the Bimble Inn, where they celebrated 10 years as a band, great laugh and great attitude to performing, -63 points of pretention. Katzenjammer were (for the second time this summer) stunning, but less talkative than previous shows, the baby piano making two appearances and all our favourite singalongs enjoyed fully (tanked with cider for the occasion!) Catch the Norwegian showsters anywhere you can!

Not so good, probably because of the weather, but Dropkick Murphy’s didn’t storm the stage like they did ten years ago, back in Brixton academy, 200? I jumped the train from Milton Keynes to Euston and then hopped a free bus south fully leathered and mohawked up and we all kicked the shit out of each other, crowd surfed, threw up on stage and caused something of a riot when these guys came to town…

This time there was pretty minimal crowd connection and the sound was quiet and poorly mixed (bland). I’m sure they’re still the almighty Murphy’s, but this wasn’t their day (or their fault really, I’m blaming the rain and sound system!). Disreali and the Small gods came out as the most confusing mess of the forray, imagine some kind of failed Ed Sheeran and Goldy Lookin’ Chain crossover, then remove anything funny from the gaff… it was an embarrassment to watch grown adults ‘perform’ such atrocities without realising they were satirising themselves.

Overall BD remains the best festival on the circuit, something for everyone and then something extra for good measure. Just, don’t tell anybody that.

Liam Queralt

Researcher in Environmental Geochemistry & alcohol enthusiast based in Bavaria. Thoughts on whatever my vodka soaked brain thinks is apt at 3am.

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