In short, it was brilliant. Everything I want from a festival, essentially. When you hear about some of the things it featured, you may think this is a sign of me getting old, and you'd probably be right.
But is it wrong to prefer libraries in the woods over oxygen bars? To prefer double decker buses serving tea over the carling tent? To prefer trees draped in thousands of fairy lights over portaloos on fire? Most importantly, is it wrong to prefer 5,000 awesome, fun-loving, gentle hippy types and a few peacocks over 80,000 mashed teenagers?
I don't think so, and if that makes me old. Well, so be it.
Because along with all the more gentile stuff, there is one hell of a good time to be had. Drinking decent pints and hot & spicy cider, dancing to tunes provided by guest DJs like Jarvis Cocker & Richard Hawley, laughing it up in the comedy pavillion, and the bands... Oh the bands.
For a start, they're everywhere! On the main Garden Stage, in the Big Top with it's spangly interior, on the local stage, or the tipi tent or just staging impromptu parties anywhere they can. The Woodland Disco. The Outdoor Room. It. Was. Incredible.
And just LOOK at the Line Up. Isn't it just crammed with all your favourite bands? Well no, it isn't.
At least, not before you arrive. Depending on how savvy you are, you'll know a few, but the real joy is in the discoveries. I'd never heard of The Dodos or The Low Anthem or Ohbijou or Josh T. Pearson or the Leisure Society or Dan Michaelson & The Coastguards. But now I have, and life feels that little bit better.
Look, I could bang on about it for ages, but you'll never know the real truth until you experience it yourself. So if you like the sound of a festival with a real tinge of magic to it, come to End of the Road. tickets are on sale for an Early Bird Price right now. Trust me, you won't regret it!
(all of the photos in this post were taken by the snap-happy Jane, who along with Chris, Nicola, Phil & Scott experienced all this wonder with me!)
2 comments:
I was brilliant, wasn't it? I've been waiting years for a festival like that and am thrilled now it's here. Nicely described. I also had a little rant here: http://rowstar.blogspot.com/2009/09/spangly-sparkly-place-end-of-road.html
Wow, you really went to town using the photos ;oD and yes, preferring libraries in the woods over oxygen bars, etc. does make you old. But with age comes wisdom so it also makes you very wise!
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