The Secret Garden Party 2009
Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th July 2009East Anglia - full venue information will be released nearer the time., England
early bird adult weekend £137, (14-17) £110, under 14 free (prices include all fees) - SOLD OUT
Not sure what to expect from a 'boutique' festival, Secret Garden was nearly going to be the smallest festival I'd been to. Could it compete with major festivals given that ticket prices are pretty similar or is it just an overpriced party in a park?
With the site split into two halves, one side for 'Edenites' and the other for 'Babylonians' When sent your ticket you are given a fancy dress theme, Eden (back to nature) or Babylon (excess in all forms). In Eden there was a more creative side to the festival, with Chai tents and fancy dress shops and more acoustic / spoken word stages.
I forgot, there was some music too! A bit of Official Secrets Act and Phoenix made the way for a set to remember from Jarvis Cocker on the Friday night. The adoring crowd couldn't be stopped from joining him onstage, much to the annoyance of security, but he happily carried on sharing the songs with his sometimes 'guest vocalists'.
Saturday had some fine breakbeat and electro from Simian Mobile Disco, Eddy Temple Morris and Evil Nine in the Dance Rocks vs. Ninja Tune stage, whilst Caribou played a mesmerising set in the Where The Wild Things Are stage.
This little festival is about making your own fun and with many options to get involved throughout the year by having ideas for areas or designing boats it is fairly easy to get on the staff if you want to have some fun. What its about in the end. Fun! Not much more I can say except go and experience this hedonistic party for yourself.
review by: Chris Mathews
photos by: Chris Mathews
Latest Updates
The Secret Garden Party 2024
festival details
festival details
last updated: Mon 22nd Jul 2024
The Secret Garden Party 2024
line-ups & rumours
line-ups & rumours
last updated: Mon 22nd Jul 2024
The Secret Garden Party 2023
festival details
festival details
last updated: Sat 10th Jun 2023
Secret garden party becomes biggest music festival to embrace social enterprise model
last updated: Thu 13th Apr 2023
Secret Garden Party 2023 Line-up Announcement
last updated: Thu 9th Mar 2023