The toilet queues are long and it's a chance to get acclimatised in my stripey costume as I wait in the sun to use one of the many still servicable Andy Loos. There's more people in fancy dress wandering about and the sleep deprived paranoia creaping into my brain is soon dissolved.
A rousing chorus from the most excellent Port Isaac's The Fisherman's Friends including the obligatory crowd pleasing 'Drunken Sailor', sets the day up nice as the skies begin to rapidly darken, already the word is out that other festivals up country this weekend have taken a battering and we're next. The Fabulous Good Time Party Boys' monster themed theatrical set is enough to put the impending doom out of our minds, elsewhere there's a play by Bike Shed Theatre called 'Beanfield' and more John Robb in conversation sessions.
The thought of an impending deluge makes you appreciate the site more, the crazy site art, the colourful flags, the organic feel, and the characters who make up the festival crowd, on closer inspection it does indeed look like one of on site artist Pete Loveday's fetival scenes. There's entertainment out and about too Toothy Wardens with laugh out loud quips, stilt walkers, rope walkers, acrobats, and more. Before the regular game of football with Levellers facing an army of kids, those of us prepared to 'risk it' out and about are entertained by more acts which go down a treat at festivals from an energetic Citizen Fish, to The Destroyers, and John Otway, The Aggrolites, and The Slackers.
We even get a chance to see country boys all the way from America, the Devil's Prefects who play a short set in the Tiny Tea Tent. They look very familiar and I'm trying to place them as Hobo Jones & The Junkyard Dogs take to the stage as the special guests in the Bimble Inn. They're joined by a host of friends including Doozer, Attila the Stockbroker, and Rosie Eade, and the rammed tent bounces along to their set which closes with an emotional thanks to the fanatical crowd who have helped to get them that opening main stage slot.
The rain ups a gear during their set and by the time Stornoway take to the indoor Big Top Stage at the other end of the site the place is rammed. Fortunately Dreadzone are a huge crowd pleaser and still keep a sizeable crowd in the fattening precipitation. Billy Bragg, and Shooglenifty play to crowds avoiding the rain, as our hosts the Levellers take to the stage to present a rather dark set suited to the weather, and the lightshow accompanying them is amazing. But the rain is unrelenting, and my stripey tiger costume not very waterproof, so this reviewer watches the fireworks from the top of the hill as the noise from the falling rain masks their closing numbers.
That's the end to another fantastic, crazy, trouble free weekend, of great music and entertainment. The addition of Dirty Davey's was a good one, although perhaps a even more of the type of acts the previous incumbent the Pussy Parlure offered would be good to provide less noise bleed. But the outdoor setting, and the Q&As were great, although I missed much of the entertainment there, I heard good things about it. The site still fosters that happy feeling of security for both kids and adults, and hats off to all those who worked so hard long into Thursday to ensure it was ready in time. The site layout is pretty much sorted now, and works well, the caterers are all delicious, I missed all the comedy but that too was mentioned very positviely in dispatches.
The crowd at Dreadzone, and Levellers bouncing happily in the driving rain made me wonder if us festival goers are a little touched. Beautiful Days defintely offers us something special, perhaps it's in the Otter Ale. The festival fosters friendly marshalls, stewards, security and low key police up for a giggle with the weird costumes and crazy characters. The festival is well thought out both in terms of site and in terms of acts booked, and a big thanks goes to DMF, the Levellers and everyone else who helps to create such a lovely festival.
There's no doubt tickets to the best value festival of the summer will sell out again next year, much like Glastonbury it's starting to not matter who is on the bill (the booked acts are always quality) - it's a bankable glorious weekend of family friendly madness with a wonderful vibe of togetherness. Looking forward to next year. See you all back there next year, we'd better get our tickets early next year I think. The reputation of Beautiful Days grows year on year.
review by Scott Williams photos by Andy Pitt / Danielle Millea / Karen Williams
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