It's safe to say the lions share of music 'fans' of most genres have been to a music festival before. Or have they? What actually defines a music festival in 2011? Frankly nowadays they're everywhere; and it seems every available weekend new ones muster up out of thin air all over the country. Unfortunately for the average music fan they are more often than not served the same slice, albeit with a slightly different soundtrack. Each festival usually has the following in abundance; heavy-handed security; bar queues that never seem to end; tasteless and overpriced food, a plethora of annoying pissed-drug addled twats (there exactly for that reason) and BIG headliners for bored journalists and presenters to talk bullshit about.
Fortunately it's not all bad. Whilst many of the problems of festivals will perennially exist simply due to size and money; there's is just about enough to satisfy and entice; such as
Field Day in London and the new
Beacons Festival in Skipton, North Yorkshire. But there is one festival I experienced recently that is different to them all.
Just over a week ago, I was fortunate to attend a festival I had been looking forward to for months.
Freerotation Electronic Audio VisualFestival takes place at Baskerville Hall just outside Hay-on-Wye on the Welsh and English Border nestled just inside the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park. With less than 1000 attendees, where many of are members and attend yearly, it really is an intimate festival experience. With a lineup away from the focus of many 'celebrity' DJs, it's vibe really is that of a proper 3 day commuity party. When I arrived I quickly caught on this vibe, and really could wait to get involved.
Friday
Without everyone settling in for a long night ahead, the festival started off with subtly for the most part, people relaxing in the dome outside catching up with the friends they'd met from years before and many of the resident and guest DJ/Artists skirting around making everyone feel welcome as they gear up for their favourite party of the summer. With the night starting to fall and 'Alice Firefly' performing her fire show, people slowly began to pick up the pace and with the Dome tent only open till 11pm (mithering farmer apparently), many began to nestle inside in greater numbers.
I first got settled inside for local lad and resident Leif. His lovely set of deep sounds really set the scene for what lay ahead of us in Room 1 especially where he was quickly backed up by fellow resident Tom Demac who showcased a similarly deep sound with a slightly snappier edge.
After only ever catching him in his Pigon guise, I was more than a tad excited to catch Efdemin also in Room 1. He didn't disappoint with his trademark deep techy European beats flavoured with some big Chicago house sounds.
Next was a quick jaunt to Room 2, which after well documented previous problems with heat was fitted with a least of couple fans to help control the sweat being brought on by and the sound of some seriously heavy techno.
In the unofficial 'Room 3' it quickly became apparent something was getting was setup. Shortly before 2am Move D stepped up to play his
first set of the weekend. Even after several times of seeing Move D DJ, you only left with one guarantee, a first class set. Even though after too many reasonably priced beers from the bar, I still recall hearing some great cuts from the likes of Terje, M.K. and many more I couldn't put my finger on (and still can't, get on soundcloud and get them named if you can).
Saturday
After a reasonably early night on the Friday, I was refreshed and ready for a prolonged day of music and sunshine for the Saturday. With the recently purchased Vestax having a first outing at the tent, and bacon and cider on the go, we were ready to head out to the dome to soak up the atmosphere and the rays.
First I caught a great live set from Tom Ellis (apparently he did it last year to great acclaim). Many of the attendees may have had little sleep (unlike me) but everybody was in great form and the sun was out in full force.
I've been wanting to see Jackmate for a while and his Saturday afternoon set in the dome did not disappoint. From dropping the mammoth 'Be Like the Sun', the crowd really came alive, getting much needed shelter from the blistering heat for some welcome respite of jacking house and techno.
Later on in a rare trip into Room 2 enabled me to catch Cosmin TRG, who with each release really does showcase his talents over several different 'genres' of electronic music from deep techno to future beats. His set was a bass heavy thump of deep dark dirty bass music, together with excellent touches of deep techno and house to accomodate it.
One of the more anticpated sets of the weekend was from Levon Vincent. He stayed glued to his decks throughout his set where he showcased a multitude of genres, only briefly looking up to survey the burgeoning and respondent crowd in Room 1. Chicago Skyway also didn't fail to disappoint, and following his excellent set and a full length promised, his visits to the UK may become much more frequent.
Sunday
This day came around far too quickly. After a bit of faffing (by me, no-one else), it was off to Hay for Sunday lunch (and to check out the record fair) to energise for one last very warm day of looking silly and of continued excellent music. For dress up day, I went as one of the tigers (£12 in primark, I knew I wouldnt be alone) and whilst fun it was, I was probably wearing the hottest thing ever to wear whilst dancing.
Unfortunately due a trip to Hay and getting ready, I missed about half of
Move D's Sunday afternoon set (since listened to it via Soundcloud) but caught the last half hour or so and surely one the anthems of the weekend, Session Victim's 'Good Intentions' which he also played in his Friday set. XDB's set on Sunday afternoon at the Dome was also highly enjoyable which followed a relatively meandering set from Steve Tang.
After a few too many drinks (and a hefty Sunday lunch), I missed much of the evening's preceedings due to a quick knap (including Soulphiction-bit gutted but least caught a bit of Michael Baumann in seeing Jackmate's set).
After slipping out the tiger suit and to something more suitable, I rushed to catch Fred P who was playing the penulitmate set in Room 1. His set was bliss from start to finish, an exercise in deepness and restraint before exploding every now and then, finishing with a jaw-dropping track (I really cannot recall what exactly it was-but it was one of the highlights of the whole weekend-please if you were there-share!)
The weekend wouldn't have been complete without a live set from Steevio and Suzybee. Their epic closing set came complete with jaw dropping visuals and deep techno modulations via Steevio's huge Eurorack Modular.
This was by far the most wonderful festival I have ever attended. It was shame when it finally had to end. One look at the facebook page of the festival will quickly highlight the fondness everyone who attended has for the event and the fun that they had.
July 2012 really is far too far away.
