A feast of festivals

Summer is here again and so are the usual big festivals.  But what if you want something a bit different this year?  Well look no further, as Contrary Life brings you a round-up of some small and quirky festivals taking place in the coming months across the UK.

Moor Music Festival

When: 12th-15th August 2010

Where: Heslaker Farm, off Heslaker Lane, near Carleton, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 3AB

£: 85 for a weekend ticket and 35 for a day ticket.

What is it?

Moor Music Festival remains small yet thinks big in its sixth year.  The Earl Hickey stage features a line up that is diverse and quirky as ever, taking its audience on a journey from the futuristic spectacle of glamour that is Chrome Hoof, to fresh-faced Manchester five piece, Dutch Uncles.  Head to the Garden Shed stage for a unique show, as just one person is admitted to experience; of what, they will have to open the door to discover….  Life’s a beach in the 1930s lounge cinema and cabaret tent with its beach chalet diary room, a little wooden painted room with CCTV to go in and chat to.  This year also boasts a ‘Pedal Powered Orchestra’ which invites festival–goers to pedal in order to power electronic instruments.

The festival also features a memorable ‘grow your own festival’ party-bag for guests to take home, workshops for hat and clothes pimping, making/manicuring your own moustache, creating musical instruments and pottery.  Not to mention miniature golf, treasure hunts, a 500 strong kazoo jam and parades.  To fuel all the dancing, there is an array of locally sourced, internationally styled food and drink with locally brewed ale and a new ‘Moor’ beer.

More info: www.moormusicfestival.co.uk

International Gypsy Guitar Festival

When: 30th July-1st August 2010

Where: Gossington, Gloucestershire.

£: 45 for a weekend ticket, Friday ticket 20, Saturday ticket 30 and Sunday ticket 10.

What is it?

This festival has full parking and camping facilities, is easily accessible from the A38, a beer tent and kitchen and is family friendly (kids aged 15 and under get in for free).  The line-up includes Paulus Schafer, Antonio Forcione, Gypsy Fire, Andreas Oberg, Gary Potter, Diknu Schneeberger, Inspector Gadjo and Quasimodo. Don’t miss Gypsy Idol on the Sunday!

More info: www.iggf.co.uk

Singing Sticks Didgeridoo Music Festival

When: 9th-11th July 2010

Where: The Overstone Scout Camp, Billing Lane, Overstone, Northampton, NN6 0AF

£: 40 for the weekend and Friday ticket 15 and Saturday ticket 20.

What is it?

A gathering of people who are interested in the haunting sounds of the didgeridoo in all its forms from traditional to modern, dance music through to techno.  The festival is a very people friendly and easy-going event coupled with a nice relaxed and laid back atmosphere.   The venue is safe, secure and child friendly.  It also has proper toilet and shower block facilities onsite, no plastic portaloos!

The venue is situated in stunning open grass fields, where enchanting music drifts from the woodland amphitheatre.  There will be trade stalls, artists offering workshops and demonstrations throughout the weekend.  The Druid, Wilf will arrive on the Friday to bless the site and open it up to the spirits with a special ceremony, he will also return to close the festival on Monday morning.

More info: www.singingsticks.co.uk

SO Festival

When: 22nd – 25th July 2010

Where: Skegness, Lincolnshire

£: Free

What is it?

The four-day festival promises something for all the family, with Skegness being transformed into a colourful carnival of dance, opera, street theatre, music, comedy and more.  Prepare to be amazed with suspended musicians performing in mid-air, huge art exhibitions along the promenade, incredible giant installations dropping in from over the channel and a colourful transformation of Skegness’ streets.

Young musicians from across the country will also have the chance take part in an X-factor style battle of the bands, with the music being aired on local BBC radio stations across the east of England.  World-renowned artist, Ra Kajol, will create the UK premiere of his outdoor colourscape painting, Traffic Art.  It will feature local history, creative ideas from local people, as well as popular Skegness images, and will take 10 days to complete.

Presenter Kirsten O’Brien will be holding an interactive art workshop for children of all ages to get involved with at the Embassy Theatre.  Festival headliners include Jools Holland, West End star Lee Mead and internationally renowned street theatre groups, Plasticiens Volants and Transe Express.

More info: www.sofestival.org

Ironbridge Gorge Brass Band Festival

When: 10th – 11th July 2010

Where: The Museum of Iron, Coalbrookdale, TF8 7DQ

£: Free

What is it?

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum is a fantastic venue providing intimacy and an atmosphere which has made the festival a success in the past.  The daytime festival is free and features Stiperstones Brass Band, Highley Colliery Band and the The Bell Inn Brass Band among others.  In addition there is a Last Night of the Proms concert on the 10th, held at Enginuity, Coalbrookdale.  Tickets are £8.50, in aid of the Severn Hospice Appeal.

More info: www.ironbridgebandfestival.co.uk

Manor Farm Music Festival

When: 17th July 2010

Where: Manor Farm, Shore Road, Hesketh Bank, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 6XQ

£: 7.50 (plus 10 for camping)

What is it?

As well as being a well-known horticulturist, Keith Dickinson was a huge fan of live music, and attended countless festivals and concerts throughout his life.  So when he lost his battle with a brain tumour, his family and friends rallied round to organise a music festival on the land behind his house in Shore Road, Hesketh Bank, to raise money to support further research into the illness.  The line-up includes Jump in the Woods, Aero, and Loveless.

More info: www.manorfarmfest.org

Bakewell Acoustic Music Festival

When: 13th – 15th August 2010

Where: Bakewell Showground

£: 45

What is it?

The Bakewell Acoustic Music Festival has been founded by two like-minded friends that have both been in the music industry throughout their lives.  With a passion for all that is good from all forms of live music they have endeavoured to stage an event that will cross all genres and be a festival that will be embraced by all music lovers young and old.

The local community is in their forefront and to promote this they will be greatly discounting tickets to patrons with the local postcode.  Gold Heart Assembly, Ryan Lauder, and Kill it Kid are just a few of those who will be playing.

More info: www.bamf.co.uk

Limetree

When: 27th – 29th August 2010

Where: Lime Tree Farm, Grewelthorpe, North Yorkshire

£: 80 for a weekend ticket and 35 for a day ticket

What is it?

A quirky festival featuring a combination of big names and regional acts which comes complete with stone circle and Iron Age round house.  This year’s festival line up showcases talent from around the world and across musical genres, including pop punk stalwarts The Blockheads, jazz specialists the James Taylor Quartet, and international reggae star Rocky Dawuni from Ghana.

After its rapturous debut at last year’s Limetree Festival, Queerinspace is back with music, comedy and film in its Bet Lynch tent – bigger and more fabulous than ever.  Home to singer songwriters Ella Edmonson and Rodina, both of whom have recently released their debut albums; harpist Fiona Katie Roberts who plays, designs and builds her own harps; Madam Laycock and her Dabeno Pleasures who bring a unique stage show of music and burlesque, and ragtime revellers The Devil’s Juke Box.

The festival uses local suppliers, including beer from the Daleside Brewery.  Stewards will be running around collecting rubbish to ‘Yackety Sax’, the Benny Hill theme tune, which will be played at random intervals throughout the day.  There are craft areas, face painting, workshops and nature trails throughout the weekend for children of all ages.  Special areas set up for family camping.

More info: www.limetreefestival.co.uk

Folk by the Oak

When: 25th July 2010

Where: The Queen Elizabeth Oak Field at Hatfield Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 5NQ.

£: 31

What is it?

As well as music from the likes of Megson, Emily Smith, and Bellowhead there’s plenty of food, real ale and activities to enjoy.  Why not try some archery, knitting, pottery or circus skills?

More info: www.folkbytheoak.com

Barn On The Farm

When: 23rd – 25th July 2010

Where: Over Farm Market, Over, Gloucester, GL2 8DB

£: 30 for a weekend ticket

What is it?

This ultra-intimate festival is limited to just 200 tickets, and they’re selling fast!  All profits from the festival go to two very important charities – Global Footsteps and Friends of Nowder, both of which support social, economic and environmental sustainability projects.  The festival will be headlined by Matthew & The Atlas.  There is also a full english breakfast available, if you are in need of it on Saturday morning, for a reasonable £5.50.

More info:www.barnonthefarm.moonfruit.com

So there you go, why not try something different this year?