Mickey Cole

Standon Calling 2016 Review

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The ever-popular annual music festival Standon Calling is back. With its biggest number of attendees on record, this lively garden party turned festival drew the crowds to Hertfordshire for a weekend of sun soaked fun. Running from the 29th-31st of July, this boutique festival is set in an idyllic location, with easy access from both Cambridge and London. 'Legend of the Lost Seas' was this years theme, and from the moment I entered I was transported into founder Alex's imagination.

It is my 3rd time at Standon Calling, and once again they have provided a knock out line up that rivals that of larger festivals. Suede closed Friday night, whilst Jess Glynne and Kelis headlined over the course of the weekend, providing something for all age groups. Jess Glynne was my particular favourite, belting out hit after hit whilst maintaining a down to earth, grounded persona as she chatted between songs. Blossoms, Clean Cut Kid and Everything Everything also took to the main stage, The Hives rivalled the headline slot on Friday night, sorry Suede. Standon Calling has always championed up and coming music, proving to be a great source of discovering musicians, or genres that you may not think about listening to. The Hot 8 Brass Band came in to that category; fresh from New Orleans, their hip-hop, jazz and funk filled sound brought something completely new to Standon, proving to be a crowd favourite. A multitude of smaller stages showcased a variety of musicians, personal highlights being Flyte, Nadia Nair and Blood Red Shoes.

Alongside the music, Standon put on a variety of extra activities to pass time between acts.Rockakoke and Gospeloke at the Old Mout Kiwi Camp was the perfect opportunity for an out of tune sing along, whilst the Clock Tower hosted a 2 hour dance off. A music quiz brought out revellers competitive side, culminating in a 'show us your dance moves' round which got everyone young and old off their seats. Sunday began with the notorious dog show, which saw the return of the legendary Nigel, a beautiful and rather photogenic pooch who earned a respectable 3rd place in best dressed! Fairground rides proved popular with the younger generation, offering a spectacular view over the festival by night. Standon is not only renowned for its music; it provides an excellent array of comedy acts too, from stand up to improv.

Plenty of food stalls across the festival ensured no one went hungry, ranging from delicious macaroni cheese from the Mac Factory to headline act Kelis' Le Bun pop up restaurant, which offered mouth watering burgers for a bargain price. Pizzas, Nachos and Beef topped fries were a plenty, but no meal was complete without a slice of cake from Kitty's Cake Emporium. Bars offering beer, wine and cocktails kept the adults happy, and although at times the queues were vast, cheerful staff did their best to keep punters happy offering a large selection of drinks at reasonable prices, my favourite being a Gin Fizz from The Flaming Lips Bloody Mary Bar.

I will definitely be returning to Standon Calling; there are few festivals which manage to give you that same buzz you get from the first time you visit 3 years on, yet Standon does just that. Remarkably, it manages to appeal to everyone without trying too hard; an outdoor pool for the youngsters keeps children busy, late night music in the Cow Shed after festival face painting means teenagers can dance the night away, and music spanning all ages followed by a soak in the Soulful Sanctuary and Hot Tubs means the adults are pretty happy too. Families are well catered for when travelling as a group too; a baby and toddler area in the Kids Area keeps children occupied, and family camping area guarantees a good nights sleep. I will certainly be purchasing an early bird ticket to secure my spot for next year, as this hotly anticipated festival continues to grow in popularity. Be sure to get your tickets soon, you certainly don't want to miss out!

Reading Festival 2015 Review

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It's bank holiday weekend in August which means one thing, READING FESTIVAL! With 8 stages in the arena, there is something for everyone. 

The Main Stage saw headlining sets from Mumford & Sons, to heavy metal band Metallica and closing the show on Sunday, The Libertines. Each night saw three different audiences, a lot of hardcore Metallica fans arrived on Saturday which drew one of the biggest crowds of the weekend. During their set Metallica released hundreds of black bouncy balls with their logo on and the fans went wild, all trying to catch one to keep. Unfortunetly The Libertines seemed to lack a powerful performance and struggled to keep a full crowd for the whole set, being Sunday night a few people like to leave and beat the traffic but this seemed more than usual. However Mumford & Sons really captivated the audience attention with sing along songs from their first and second album. Other bands that caught my attention on the Main Stage were Marmozets, Bastille, Bring Me The Horizon, All Time Low and Panic At The Disco.

The BBC hosted 3 stages at Reading where you could see acts like Lethal Bizzle on the 1XTRA stage, Boy Better Know on the Radio 1 Dance Stage to Slaves and Limp Bizkit on the NME Stage where there was also a secret set from Foals. They also support growing talent in the music industry and brought back the BBC Introducing stage for another year. I got to see The Big Moon, Clean Cut Kid and Georgia. I was very impressed with all three and they are names to look out for in the future. 

I soon realised I’d be spending most of my time at The Lock Up/The Pit stage when I saw the line up. There were so many bands worth mentioning the list could go on forever, but these were some of my favourites; While She Sleeps, Bury Tomorrow, PVRIS, Moose Blood, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes and definelty a band to keep an eye on ho99o9. I’m pretty sure a lot of these acts will be on the main stage next year at Reading which is exciting for 2016.

Overall I had a really good experience at Reading Festival. The weather turned out to be pretty great, considering forecasts were set for downpours on Saturday and Sunday, there was minimal rain and hardly any mud (apart from in the campsite). The food was average festival food and there was a fair that went on into the night to keep you entertained when the music stopped. I’m really looking forward to what they have to offer for Reading Festival 2016!

Victorious Festival 2015 – Southsea Seafront

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Victorious Festival is a name I keep hearing around the south coast. It’s only in its 4th year but the line up sees headliners including; Ray Davies, The Flaming Lips, Tinie Tempah and Basement Jaxx. With 5 stages of music to enjoy from the biggest names in music to local bands from Portsmouth, it’s really a weekend not to miss.

Victorious Festival have kept ticket prices extremely low being just £30 a day so why not come and see over 150 acts play. As well as music, at Victorious families can enjoy entertainment from The Blue Reef Aquarium, Southsea Castle, The D-Day Museum, Peppa Pig, the circus, fairground rides, climbing walls and archery, all free of charge to ticket holders.

The festival has even been shortlisted for ‘Best Independent Festival’ at this year’s AIM Awards, I’m definitely going to check it out this year, I’ll see you there!

For more information, full line-up details and to buy tickets go to

www.victoriousfestival.co.uk.

Standon Calling Festival 2015

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It's my favourite time of year again, Standon Calling is back and better than ever. I was lucky enough to attend last year’s festival, and after having an incredible time, I knew it would be hard to top it this year. However, it did not disappoint, with a bustling atmosphere rivalling much larger events. Kicking off on the Friday, despite having its largest number of attendees ever, it still managed to retain its charm and original ethos of championing emerging artists. Standon Calling had an excellent set list this year, with Little Dragon, Dandy Warhols and Basement Jaxx headlining the festival. Basement Jaxx was my personal favourite, drawing the largest crowd on Sunday night with all ages singing along. Other musical highlights came from Prides, Saint Raymond and the incredible Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, who came all the way from Chicago to blow the audience away with their musical talent spanning all genres from hip-hop to jazz and rock. Ella Eyre was incredible, her vocals and perfromace really brought the whole of Standon together. The Cuban Brothers returned for another year, with hilariously crude jokes kicking off their energy filled performance, proving a crowd favourite. The BBC Introducing staged also hosted lots of musical talent, my particular favourite being Amber Run, who closed the show on Saturday night. They proved extremely popular, after their highly anticipated album '5am' released earlier this year.

However, Standon Calling offered up much more than just music, making this a festival that really does provide for all. Kids and adults alike participated in the annual dog show, with the usual humorous classes including 'waggy-est tail' and 'owner most like it's dog'. With over 30 participants, The Clock Tower became a bustling hive of activity filled with laughter and plenty of barking! The theme this year being 'Day and Night' provided festival goers with the perfect excuse to dress up, finalised by a parade out of which two lucky winners won tickets for next year. As always, the design team had done an amazing job to transform the fields into a set that resonated the theme. The trapeze proved extremely popular with adults and children alike, as did the swimming pool which was a perfect accompaniment to the hot weather. One of my highlights was the petting zoo, you could literally go and pick up a bearded dragon, learn all about them and then pick up a snake. It was fascinating and provided very popular over the weekend! For the revellers who wanted to dance the night away, the Cowshed with its incredible decoration stayed open until the early hours.

Food and drink weren't in short supply, with my personal favourite being the Mac and Cheese stand serving up 'The Kanye Western', their twist on the traditional recipe featuring smoked sausages, BBQ sauce and crispy onions. Barnaby Sykes Pie Maker's returned this year with their incredible goods; the chicken and ham pie with mash and gravy was phenomenal. Sweet treats were readily available at Kitty’s Cake Emporium, from blueberry, lemon and poppyseed cake to the gluten free orange sponge, all equally delicious. Refreshing cold ciders were plentiful at the Old Mout Cider bar, at which you could also sing karaoke and bounce on a trampoline whilst trying different flavours of cider; what a perfect combination! Ice cold cocktails and beers were also available, and with the cash free payment system, it made queuing and buying drinks much easier and faster.

Overall, I had an amazing time and cannot wait to return next year. I have never been to a festival like it, it's atmosphere is truly unique. I will be first in line for the early bird tickets when they become available, it is worth every penny.

Words by Elise Nichols

Photos by Mickey Cole

Blissfields 2015 Review

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Rural Hampshire is an unlikely location for a lively, music filled party, yet Blissfields Festival proved once again that it’s the perfect setting for this festival for all ages. With over 4000 attendees, Blissfields manages to retain the charm of a small festival, yet provides musical acts that rival much larger and longer running events. Friday 3rd was packed full of musical highlights, including Dub Pistols who have become a resident act since playing in 2013. Drawing in a huge crowd, their upbeat fusion of sounds was a perfect accompaniment to the summer sun. Other stand out acts included Ghostpoet who’s spoken word-esque tracks provided something extremely unique. Rhodes, due to release his highly anticipated album in September, also received a great reception, with powerful tracks such as ‘Breathe’ providing the crowd with an excuse to sing along. The main stage closed with The Horrors, which was a thoroughly enjoyable way to end the night. The Den, a smaller stage, hosted an array of emerging artists, with my firm favourite being Leader whose charisma and catchy songs were contagious.

Saturday was equally as fun filled, with Karen Harding lighting up the stage with her chart topper ‘Say Something’. Grandmaster Flash was as amazing as expected, being a strong contender for the biggest crowd. Simian Mobile Disco closed the final day on a high, with their electronic beats gathering the crowds for one last time.

Blissfields is the epitome of a broad appeal festival. For the young ones, a hungry hippo popping out tennis balls kept many entertained for hours! When the sun became too much, many resided to the indoor cinema, showing classics such as Wall-E. There is also areas to try out hula hoops, bubbles and diablos. Teens are also well catered for as it’s the perfect first festival, with plenty going on late in to the night yet. Adults of all ages were well catered for, with a stag and hen party being put to the test in the main arena in a battle involving lots of water and flour! The Blisscotheque proved popular with all, providing a non stop torrent of DJ’s blasting out hits, supplying the revellers with plenty of dancing material. The Hidden Hedge was also popular with those staying out after dark, featuring obscure art installations, light shows and dj’s – what more could you want! Families were made welcome with separate camping areas away from the noise which proved very popular. Blissfields offers much more than just music, with stalls such as Far Out Studios selling beautifully hand screen printed posters created commissioned by a selection of musicians. A ‘give it a go’ tent allowed you to try out circus acts too. When the sun became too much, lounging in the hammocks was an extremely popular choice. Plenty of trees also provided some much needed shade whilst still being in earshot of the main stage.

Food stalls were not in short supply, with delicious dishes on offer ranging from packed chicken burritos, to vegetarian sushi rolls. Dessert came in all shapes and sizes, with my favourite being the a huge nutella pancake, a steal at £4. No summer day is complete without a glass of Pimms which was readily available from the main bar.

Overall, this really was a great weekend for numerous reasons. It's rare to find a festival this small that still packs a punch. I will definitely be returning next year, and as early bird tickets are currently on sale, so can you!

 

Standon Calling Review 2014

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Standon Calling – The Best Bits

1. THE MUSIC 

This small festival situated in Hertfordshire had a line-up rivaling that of larger festivals. Running from the 1st – 3rd of August, Standon Calling offered music to suit all ages and tastes. Headliners Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Public Enemy and Maximo Park ensured evening on the main stage ended on a high. Other highlights included Beans On Toast’s performance amongst the crowd, Amber Run inviting members of the audience dressed as a Taco and Paddington Bear to join them during their set and Charli XCX igniting the Big Top with her latest single ‘Boom Clap’. Other standout performances came from Clean Bandit, The Cuban Brothers, Grandmaster Flash and personal favourite Saint Raymond. Unfortunately the highly anticipated Ella Eyre could not attend due to illness. 

 

2. DOGS

Its the first time I’ve been to a festival where dogs are allowed in, its literally the best thing ever. I made some lovely canine friends and owners, who are surprisingly happy to have a million people a day ask to stroke their dog! There was even a dog show which drew in a massive crowd including categories; Best Trick, Waggiest Tail and Owner most like their Dog. Attractions like this are what separates this festival from others and provided light entertainment on Sunday afternoon. Amidst the chaos in the ring, Nigel was the standout dog. 

3. THEME

‘Lost in Latin America’ was this years theme. The attention to detail across the festival blew me away; there was not a single area that hadn’t been decorated, even behind the bar the theme continued. The cowsheds which held the afterpartys had hidden rooms, which had been fantastically decorated, including a Day of the Dead shrine.

4. JOSE CUERVO

Standon Calling offered a brilliant selection of stalls across the festival. The ‘Jose Cuervo’ bar ran margarita making competitions over the 3 days, giving partakers the chance to win a £500 bar tab for making the quickest drink. I gave it ago on Sunday, and managed it in 19 seconds, I was the current champion, only to return in half an hour to see someone had smashed my time and completed the challenge in 13 seconds! Absolutely gutted, but it was so much fun and it attracted a crowd full of competitive spirit! (You also got to keep the drink you made, bonus!)

5. SWIMMING POOL

What more could you ask for? The swimming pool is something that definitely stands out at Standon Calling; they are the only UK festival offering this experience! Suitable for children and adults alike, music by poolside DJ’s provided a relaxing retreat from the bustling crowds. 

6. FOOD

Standon Calling also offered a great selection of food, excellently priced. Barnaby Sykes – Pie Maker was a personal highlight, selling pie, chips, gravy, peas and a drink for £9, satisfying you for the entire day. The pulled pork burrito by Luardos was also delicious and worth the long queue. 

7. FANCY DRESS

The theme provided excellent inspiration for fancy dressers, there really was a top notch effort by all, everyone looked amazing and it added to the atmosphere of the weekend. Costumes ranged from Sally the Llama to bottles of tequila. There was a fancy dress competition for both adults and children on the main stage, with the winners chosen by the crowd. 

8. ENTERTAINMENT

During breaks in the music, there was always something else on offer to keep you entertained. Mexican wrestling was very unexpected but so entertaining, with the wrestlers taking on different characters within the ring giving the crowd someone to cheer or boo. Trapeze lessons were also available, for either £8 for a solo swing, or £35 to swing and be caught by a professional. Crowds watched below as the festival goers took the leap of faith!

Festival goers were able to buy tickets for 2015 at a hugely discounted price, and although this offer has now ended, I would definitely pay full price to return next year, it has been a highlight of my summer. 

Photos by Mickey Cole 

Festibelly 2014 Review

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The New Forest was brought to life by Festibelly. Located in one of the most beautiful areas of the South, the breath taking scenery dotted with wildlife makes for a pleasant journey to Lymington. Taking place from the 11th to the 12th of July, this small-scale festival really does cater for all.

On arrival, the short queuing time and onsite camping made for a quick and easy start to the weekend. Once the tent was pitched, I explored the array of stalls. Festibelly offers something for everyone, with children’s entertainment including games and crafts. While the kids were occupied, adults could enjoy the music only a few meters away. However, this festival isn’t just for families, it caters for all ages.

The vibe was chilled on Friday, with musical highlights from Laurel, Amber Run and Lewis Floyd Henry. The atmosphere picked up as Skinny Lister took to the stage, with upbeat sing along songs that got the whole crowd involved. The Cuban Brothers headlined Friday night and had the whole crowd captivated with their dancing and humor. I didn’t know what to expect when watching them, but they defiantly entertained!

Saturday welcomed in more festival goers, with the crowds drawing in to watch Jus Now and DJ David Rodigan. Entertainment was also on offer at the Massive In China and Terrapin Station tents through out the day, with a variety of comedy, music and dance workshops to participate in. Although slightly limited in choice, the food on offer was delicious with produce being sourced or grown locally. Delicious Orange Rooms cocktails were also available to buy from their teepee.

 

The main stage showcased FEMME and Mausi, who brought the pop vibes to the festival with dance beats blasting out in the sun. Hudson Taylor was the perfect end to such a family friendly festival in a beautiful location. I’d highly recommended this festival to anyone!

Photos by Mickey Cole

Big Top 2014 Review

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After a week of rain I was prepared with my wellies and raincoat, but on the morning of Big Top the sun was shining and it was time to get the sunglasses out. Before doors had even opened at 11am, hundreds of people were at Stoneham Park in Hampshire ready to party for 12 hours. Junk Department’s first year of putting on this festival attracted nearly 5000 party goers, with attendees travelling from up and down the country for this unique event.

Luca Pilato kept the crowd lively, whilst dance floor thumping sets came from electronic music’s finest talent including Dyed Soundorom, Laura Jones and Maya Jane Coles. The vibe of the Big Top was insane, with the crowd constantly dancing.  The VIP section had a separate stage headlined by Flashmob. It also had a free bar which ran out of cups and mixers half way through the day, but the festival goers were kept happy with shots of vodka until more supply arrived. As the sun came down, Jamie Jones hit the Big Top to a capacity filled tent ending the day on a high. The sound system and lighting production was phenomenal, with fire pyrotechnics adding to the intensity of the Big Top. There could have been a wider selection of food options around the festival; however the fairground rides provided some outside entertainment. There is definitely lots of potential for Big Top to expand next year and become an annual party on the South coast. With early-bird tickets selling at £25, it was well and truly worth the money and is definitely one to look out for next year.

 

Photos by Mickey Cole