Larmer Tree creates fond memories of a very intimate festival
Larmer Tree Festival 2009 review
Thursday 23rd July 2009
After a slow start to the morning, we pack the tent up and move all of our kit back to the car ready for an evening departure and then head into the main arena. The mud around the big top has dried up a bit and offers little resistance to buggy wheels and feet alike. Our 3 year old has a bit of a nagging cough so we stop at the medical tent to see if they have anything that could ease it for her. After some reassurance and baby medicine, she seems fighting fit and raring to explore again.
The main stage seems as packed as for any headline act, but the turn out was for the wonderfully polished The Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain. Their chosen set includes covers of 'Teenage Dirtbag' by Wheatus, 'Anarchy In The UK', 'Pinball Wizard' (in a very tongue in cheek sea shanty style) and 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' by Nirvana. At one point, some big red pants are thrown onto stage. The humour with which they were received typifies their performance, but they’re a bit more than a novelty act.
An expanding space is hurriedly cleared for the parade to march through the fields of Larmer Tree. Costumes and instruments, puppets and drum troops weave their way through the onlookers. Given the relatively small capacity of the festival, the numbers who play an active part in the parade are quite astonishing and I must applaud those who made such a big effort.
The ZongZing All Stars Soukous sounds (very fiddly guitar picking), quickly have a healthy portion of the audience on their feet. Closer to the stage, the sound is crisp and sharp and the congas can be picked out over the other instruments. An almost trance like effect mesmerises me and looking around, catches a few other people and reels them in.
A Village fete has hastily been set up in one of the high hedged gardens close to the main stages. It's all very tongue in cheek and proceeds are donated to Water Aid. A vicar is playing host and tells us tales of his wife's loft clearout while 'splat the rat' has been renamed to 'smack the pony'. Belly dancing and guitar performances are scheduled through the afternoon.
The tombola offers some truly terrible bottles (including malt vinegar and blue bols), while the bric-a-brac stall offers some cherished Rolf Harris singles and a Lady Diana VHS.
A deflating paddling pool housing some plastic ducks allows children the opportunity to win a sweet if they manage to hook a bird. It's really well put together and quite good fun.
Though I've seen Pronghorn a few times in the past, I've promised myself that I won't miss their set today. They don't fail to deliver to their usual high standards of utter bonkersness. Kids are on stage with them playing washboards, kazoos and bongos. The next generation of Pronghorn are thoughtful enough to remind us when to cheer and clap by holding up the appropriate boards at the right time. Mr Potter is hosting Potters Bar on stage. At one point, we, the audience, are divided down the middle into Cossacks and country dancers (I'm in the latter group), and we're challenged to a dance off. Sadly, Mr Potter decides that the Cossacks win and they are rewarded with a tray of shots passed into the eager masses. I feel I should head back to the main stage to see tonight's headliners and it's a tricky decision as they're playing yet another brilliant song about beer.
A short trudge from the big top and timed to perfection, The Imagined Village arrive on stage on time. This really sums up the programming over most of the weekend. On the whole, it's gone perfectly, and that takes a fair bit of skill when you're cramming 2 bands into 2 stages in close proximity. The traditional (with a twist) style of The Imagined Village combined with some good story telling is on a par with other times I've seen them. The all-star line-up includes Eliza and Martin Carthy, Chris Wood and Simon Emmerson. Although Billy Bragg isn't with them today, every time Johnny Kalsi picks up the Dhol, the hairs on the back of my neck prick up and my step develops a magic spring. We're treated to old songs from Bedford, new renditions, stories about Thomas Hardy and his flings and a fine display of musicianship.
It's sad to have to leave for us and our weary children. It's been a damp weekend and we've been to one of the most relaxing, and enjoyable festivals, ever. The toilets have been spotless and the only odd thing is the amount of people queuing to add to the mud by washing their boots regularly (there is a pretty posh element to camping around a garden inhabited by peacocks and tropical birds). The atmosphere has not been dampened by the downpours and I'll take with me the fondest of memories from a very intimate festival.
Our children have been able to run around and we have felt confident and comfortable in letting them do so. Part of me would like to tell you that we've had a rubbish time in case the organisers have a notion of expanding the capacity, but that wouldn't be a fair or true reflection. We've loved Larmer Tree 19 and would dearly love to return for Larmer tree 20!
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