The Big Top Experiment sees Larmer Tree expand on its late night entertainment; on top of Club Larmer and The Social already hosting spaces for all the excitable night owls, the festival will use the vast Big Top stage as an additional late night attraction. Get ready to get down and jump around as the Big Top Experiment has landed! Friday and Saturday night will see the Big Top be taken over by two very different events. On Friday night the Big Top will be transformed into the rocking and rolling, spinning and electro-swinging White Mink Speakeasy! With DJ Nick Hollywood, the big band and jive sounds of Fat 45 and French masters of the turntables AlgoRythmik as well as a spectacular lindi-hop dance showcase, this is going to be one high octane night to keep the heart pumping and the feet jumping. Saturday night sees a complete change in environment and set up for the infamous and excellent Headphone Disco. With two DJs mixing out old, new, cheesy and classic tunes, everyone is plugged into headphones and can choose which DJ they want to listen to by flicking a switch to change stations. It’s as much fun watching people bop around out of synch to each other in utter silence as it is dancing to the nonstop party tunes!
On top of the late night shenanigans, all-star comedy club and international heavy weight musical line-up Larmer Tree is bursting from the seams with extra activities to enthral, educate and entertain in equal measure! So without further ado let’s take a trip around Larmer Tree’s extensive activity programme to get a taster for what’s on offer…
The Carnival – One of the highlights and most unique aspects of the festival, the Carnival gathers over 500 Larmer Tree attendees in an explosion of colour, papier-mâché and flamboyant outfits to process throughout the festival site showcasing their workshop made creations. This year the theme will be Recycled Safari, with workshops and expeditions running throughout the festival to create the outfits and teach the dance moves!
Lostwood – Wander the winding woodland paths and discover gripping storytelling, poetry, spoken and written word sessions and performances for all ages in sun dappled glades surrounded by trees. Look out for the Song Factory where attendees will be given the opportunity to put their own words to music with expert musicians, including folk legend Rory McLeod.
YouthZone – The YouthZone for 11-17 year olds is the place to make new friends, catch up with old ones and learn a new craft, musical skill, or just chill out. With as an eclectic amount on offer as the rest of the programme, youth ticket holders can immerse themselves in a world of streetdance, mud sculptures, song writing, T-shirt making, jam sessions and much more.
Kids activities – An extensive array of activities, workshops and shows for the little ones, including puppet making, animal hat creations, tie-dying and picture frame making. This year there are some extra special activities for the kids including an interactive show hosted by headliners Ozomatli in OzoKidz.
Water Garden - Experience different drop-in sessions over the weekend, where you can learn about weaving, crocheting and natural dyes.
Circus workshop and skills – A range of drop in workshops with a huge variety of circus fun on offer! From plate spinning to tight wire, juggling to unicycle riding, there is something for everyone and all abilities.
Theatre and Talks – During the daytime Club Larmer turns into a space for talks, film, theatre and a little bit of comedy, all aimed at adults, one of the highlights will be a special talk from Cole Porters’ frontman Sid Griffin on Bob Dylan.
Adults Hands On! –Tap in to the craftsperson within and choose from a multitude of expert guidance in a huge variety of skills, from fascinators to basket weaving, jewellery to candlesticks there is so much to create!
Woodland Crafts – Explore the weaving canopies of the woodland and join in with the group of artists and master craftspeople in beautiful handmade yurts nestled under the trees.
Adult Workshops – Take a trip around the world in this extensive programme of dance and music workshops. From Cajun to Bollywood, Charleston to Rock ‘n’ Roll dance classes, didgeridoo and djembe workshops, Tai Chi and Yoga on the lawns, there is a new skill or hidden talent just waiting to be discovered!
For full details on all the activities and attractions on offer please see the Larmer Tree Festival website http://www.larmertreefestival.
With all of this (and much more) packed into five days of pure discovery and escapism, Larmer Tree HQ have been working hard to ensure that the first day’s activities set the standard! On the opening day of the festival, Wednesday 13th July, Jools Holland and his 24 piece Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with his very special guest Sandie Shaw will be joined by: the funky voiced Hannah Williams with her soul infused Tastemakers opening and closing the evening to ensure it’ll be a night to remember for all the right reasons; Scoundrels, a young London based blues band who are already well on the road to future stardom; the fantastic C W Stoneking who began playing guitar at the age of 11, and during his teens soaked up pre-war acoustic blues, jazz and calypso to create his own unique style – and he’ll be doing two sets; finally, don’t miss the juggling beatboxer sensation that is Vid Warren!
Tickets are on sale with options ranging from individual day tickets, 3-day, 4-day or a full 5-day option, all with camping and car parking included. For more information on tickets please visit the website: http://www.larmertreefestival.
FULL MUSIC LINE UP:
Seasick Steve / Jools Holland and his R&BO with special guest Sandie Shaw / Imelda May / Ozomatli / Asian Dub Foundation / Bellowhead / Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain / Seth Lakeman / Stornoway / Show of Hands Vieux Farka Touré / Caitlin Rose / The Selecter with Pauline Black / Batucada Sound Machine / C W Stoneking / White Mink Speakeasy / Headphone Disco / The Phoenix Foundation / Watcha Clan / Algo Rythmik / Jassi Sidhu / Spiers and Boden / Heidi Talbot / Krystle Warren / Fat 45 / Gabby Young & Other Animals / Jaipur Kawa Brass Band / GaBLé / The Coal Porters / 3 Daft Monkeys / Muntu Valdo / The Staves / Delta Maid / Mama Rosin / Cosmo Jarvis / Alejandro Toledo & The Magic Tombolinos / Penny Black Remedy / The Dodge Brothers / Boppin’B / Allo Darlin’ / Sheelanagig / Skinny Lister / Pete Lawrie / Moscow Drug Club / Buffalo Gals / Emily Portman / Derrin Nauendorf / DJ Derek / My First Tooth / Rory McLeod / Matthew and the Atlas / Polly and the Billets Doux / Kalakuta Millionaires / Kidnap Alice / Goodnight Lenin / Rosie Doonan / ahab / Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin / Megan Henwood / Ruth Theodore / Barnaby Keen Band / The Spree / Baila la Cumbia / Hannah Williams & The Tastemakers / The Bamana Project / Scoundrels / Boy le Monti / Little Unsaid / The Gramophone Party / Pronghorn / Police Dog Hogan / City Stereo / The Joker & The Thief / Vid Warren / Kitty Macfarlane / Tinderbox / Fearne / The Mopes / Disco’s Out (Murder’s in) / Magical Bicycle Tour
COMEDY LINE UP:
Comedy Line up: Russell Kane / Arthur Smith / Phil Nichol / Andi Osho / Phil Kay / Tom Wrigglesworth / Rob Deering / Gareth Richards / Late Night Gimp Fight / Abandoman / WitTank / Totally Tom / Sara Pascoe / James Acaster / Iain Stirling / Fergus Craig / Joel Dommett