review by Robin

This is the 10th year that the Guildford festival has been on in one form or another and my first time here, strange as it's just on my doorstep. I have no knowledge on what to expect apart from some big named bands...

When we arrive and beginning to explore, I'm very impressed, the festival has a mini glasto feel to it. The security just as relaxed and not with it! The layout nice, camping just behind the sides of some of the market area, the stages almost hiding between the stalls. Camping is spacious, and the toilets on the campsite, proper flushable affairs!!



Friday
After sorting tent stuff, it's food wander time. The food selection is brilliant. Smells of veggie noodles, falafals and such-like mix with the usual festy burgers etc...

The weather is now shining on us, despite a brief downpour and smiles appear on people's faces as they explore.

During the evening we wander aimslessy watching what we catch. In the Dance Tent (which is decked in a lovely funky fluro design), what I think was Bentley Dj'ing throw out some funky house, the crowd dancing energetically releasing the days energy...

The sunset's prettily outside, and Pulp start on the main stage. A warped dirty version of 'Common people' starts them and the crowd are slow, but soon Jarvis has the feet moving, his geeky dancing making us laugh. Unfortunately they play a couple of newer songs and we decide to wander and see Dreadzone.

I like Dreadzone and I'm not disappointed as they pump out a good mixture of dub, reggae, guitars, funky beatz and vocals. Feet almost smile as the vibes lift them and tell them to move. In a few of the tunes the dance is replaced by a jig, sending the crowd whooping and smiling, enjoy the bands energy. 'Capt Dread' and 'Little Britain' are the real highlights and friendly faces bump into each other, jigging the smiles beaming on people's faces…. However the music finishes leaving us wanting more.

The ambient tent provides some warmth, and sofas to chill on before bed, however the music is also be kept to a minimal, leaving those who want to dance to find a stall with some sort of soundsystem.

Saturday
Saturday begins lazily, seeking out food and beer. On the main stage Bjorn Again do Abba impressions, the crowd dance along to tunes they know and can sing along too. With the extra people arriving with day tickets, the crowd has now swelled a lot, but the layout is still fairly spacious.

On the Aladdin's Cave stage, Juliet Turner sings fantastically lovely songs with a beautiful voice about love and life. The crowd chilling under the sunshine to the lazy, sexy vibes.



The peace is then shattered and the marvelous Wurzels take the stage, they laugh and joke with the crowd. Crusties dance in a drunken manner, and the world smiles with there stupidness. They are the lovable rogues of the festival and draw a large crowd.



Back in the real world Chumbawamba play a brilliant set, starting off with 'mouthful of shit' scaring some of the more conservative of the crowd off... Chumbawamba aim to please, they sweet sugary songs are easy to listen too, but have some serious messages. They joke about the Queen Mother dieing in true anarchist stylee and play 3 brilliant anti-fascist songs, including what should be our nation anthem 'enough is enough', and I leave impressed.

Over in the Aladdin's Cave stage Drunk in Publicdraw a large crowd, they are basically 3 members of The Levellers and the Rev Hammer. Mark jokes that he is the only one actually drunk out of them, the crowd boo, and then set about jigging to a mix of traditional songs and a large number of levellers tunes including, 'is this art', 'dirty davey', 'one way' and more. The set goes down very very well, and is one of the many highlights of the weekend.

Cast on the main stage provide a good backdrop for sitting eating and drinking. They sound their usual happy selves and provide a good set. James follow after them and are truly awesome, they start with 'say something' and the crowd sing and bounce along. Tim Booth's energy never falters as he sings he heart true classics such as 'sometimes', 'she's a star', 'out to get u', 'sit down' and 'ring the bells'. However it is the new album that adds the makes the performance so good, it's the first time that I have heard the songs live, and the band were on fine form to deliver them. 'getting away with it', 'senorita' and 'English beefcake' all stand out, tracks helped from a great sing along reaction from a fantastic crowd, the odd shower making them sing more. James are the highlight of the festival for me.



After another curfew of 11pm on the main stage, the night is spent in the ambient tent again, chatting to new friends and drinking tea until sunrise (which is beautiful).

Sunday
Sunday first thing is spent in the dance tent, where 9 nutters known as the Buc Buc Bucket Band provide almost punky ska rhythms, sing, amongst other things a saxophone, mandolin and raw energy, they are all dressed in orange Hawaiian shirts and stupid hats, making us grin, which such a good feeling after a long night.



The day is generally spent lazing about at first shopping, before seeing The Bays in the dance tent. The tent only has around 20 people inside, which is real shame as they are truly ace in my eyes, stomping rhythms swirl, effects wibble and bleep (provided by the god like Tom Middleton, ex global communication/Jedi Knights), a live drummer pounds out some of most funky beats heard in the weekend before descending in dark dark and bass madness. The Bays very nearly steal the highlight of the weekend crown and are a complete must to see again.

After wandering again, we find our way back to the dance tent a few hours later where Banco de Gaia provide some beautiful ethic uplifting rhythms, the crowd now awake and dancing there little socks off. Live drumming and guitar adds to the performance, and large cries for an encore are heard and provided.

Sadly the weekend is coming to an end, and we slowly begin to pack up, as mates have to be back home. I manage to catch bits of the Pineapple Tribe, but don't quite get into them and their soundsystem, having never liked MCs.

Slowly but surely we make our way home, taking with us some brilliant memories from a festival which is now well up in my top 5 of festivals. I will be back for sure!!

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