Here are some links to what others are saying about Bluehorses and Solfest
Rhyan's myspace blog and thoughts - here
This is the blog of the Hairy atmospheric scientist - here
Andy's festival Diary - Solfest
After working from 7am driving like a loon around the Welsh Valleys, i sped back home with the speed of a thousand Gazelles to chuck my stuff in the car and get going. What meant to be a quick brew in Pershore while i dropped my dogs off for the weekend turned into a couple of hours.....time was ticking.
I finally left the Pershore Lair, and headed straight for the motorway at Worcester, leaving behind two very confused dogs. Hit the motorway dead on 1am. I was stocked up with one litre of coffee, nibbles, and the BBC adaptation of Lord Of The Rings to keep me going. I loves driving this time of night......i flew. It wasn't till i got near the Lakes i needed to stop and have a break......wide awake, but needing coffee and a stretch.
The whole trip through Lancashire gave me warm memories of my childhood. Familiar sites and names of towns. I went to the lakes so many times as a kid I've lost count, but i still remember the usual whine to my Dad...."are we there yet" NO!!!!.
I finally reached the festival site at 4.30 ish. The odd drunk walking down the lanes. I found the entrance for artists, and grabbed a steward to direct me to the artist camping area. She didn't have a clue....she pointed me to another steward....he was drunk, and so where the people he was with. I got some kind of directions, but it ended in the left, then right,...right! right ok, no left.....forget it, i as 90% sure it as the gate way id passed on the way, so i left them staggering off towards the stone circle, i went back to the car and tried my luck in the site. I abandoned my car by the portaloos, and walked, and quickly found Fort Horse, the vehicles tend to stick out like a baboons bot. I homed in on the snoring from Stans tent and the farting from Rhaynes...yup, this is it.
I had to work my way through the maze of guy ropes and camping gear , drive to the top, swear several times due to lack of turning space, and reverse back. I eventually came to rest along side the others. it was now beyond putting a tent up...no space, so i just dragged out my air bed, folded down the seats of the car and shoved quilt, pillows and valuables in the back then realised that my brand new air bed pump that id bought a few hours earlier was still in the office at work....bugger.
The attempt to blow the air bed by mouth was pretty poor, but i didn't care. Stan staggered out of his tent...fag already in gob, and tried to focus on this strange site of me wrestling with an air bed it, must have looked well dodgy. We chatted for a few mins then crashed out.
It was soon munchies time...via the portaloo. Mike came back with a smart looking bacon roll......trotters n all......so that set me and Stan off on a hunt. Two egg n bacon rolls later, and couple of coffees we were ready to take on the world....well, the portaloos anyway.
The whole day was a blur of drinking coffee, wandering around the stalls, and chatting. It was a chance to take in the atmosphere and see what the festival had to offer.
Soon the need to sleep caught up, and since the bands start time was 12.45 ish it was an all round decision to hit the hay and grab some sleep while we had the chance. Four hours later...i woke.
The moment i woke, i just knew Mike would have been lurking with a camera.....and i was right. After getting some grub, we just sat and chilled, and gassed the last available time away before having to move the van up to the stage area. The Undertones were playing away while we walked up. Nic drove the van up. I had to abandon duty, and find the loo. I don't think the Cumberland sausage agreed with me, so off i waddled like a penguin with its knickers round its ankles and headed for the nearest available loo. I was gone some time....was feeling a bit dodgy, in fact by the time id sorted myself out, the band had been playing for two mins.
The stage was a reasonable size, with a great light system. We had a look earlier in the day, and it was nice to see they had taken on board Jays request to remove the large pink sheeting on the front barriers and keep the dry ice down to a decent level. I think the word muttered were ... back in 10 mins ... and flame thrower, or something like that. Actually the guys working the stage were really cool and couldn't help enough.
The venue was full of people having a blast and really getting into it.The set itself was more or less the same played at recent festivals.
Lizzy, even at 1am still looked stunning as ever and danced the night away. The whole band played their hearts out, and had the crowd dancing the early hours away.
Most of these people had never seen Bluehorses before, but the crowd around Bob n Hevs stall showed what an impact they had. Many hand shakes from the crowd at the end of the set, and autographs given.
After the crowds had cleared, we quickly packed away the gear and headed off back to Fort Horse for coffee. A usual the wind down wasn't over quickly, coffee, chatting etc back at base till it was really time to collapse in our pits.The sleep in didn't last long, we didn't really hit the hay till must have been 4.30 - 5am....at a guess. We all seemed to surface fairly early, probably down to the little darlings playing an instrument at 7am a few tents over. Should we send over Lizzy to politely ask them to shut the hell up, or maybe send Jay over wearing nothing but New rocks and armed with a plastic crow, or the final option....Stan and me just go and dive on the tent.. However, the whole site was woke by the sound of the air ambulance flying over head. It must be serious to have them sent. Unfortunately a woman on the camp site had been having chest pains, and sadly died. A tragic and sad way to end our time at Solfest.
We all staggered off for a porridge breakfast and coffee overdose before packing up and heading home. All i had to do was get in the car and drive....i didn't actually unpack anything.
The trip back was sound, no hold ups, a clear run all the way. A brief stop at Sandbach Services for a few mins shut eye, a coffee, and a stretch, and i was fine, home in no time.
Solfest had managed to provide an excellent festival, and improved it in many ways. Like Farmer Phils, it has the right kinda people going, who truly appreciate festival life. Its also organised and run by dedicated festival lovers not for major financial reasons, but for the love of festivals and the area they live in, and as long as that attitude remains, it will always be a successful and well loved festival.
Massive thanks again to Simon & Sarah & all of the crew who made such a special effort to put on such a brilliant event.
Mike's Festival Diary - Solfest
A bit obtuse, that we set off for Northampton first, but the plan was to minimise the vehicles going to Cumbria. Next challenge was to find Bob and then Hev & Gary in the maze of streets around the city - thank ful for Mobile phones and a running commentary from Katie, we accomplished set one without too much panic.
Next stage was negotiating the M1 upto M18 then A1 to Scotch Corner, with the A66 to Cockermouth and some fiddly bits to finish off. The M1 was busy, getting busier, there was only a slight delay around the West Midlands Airport but the big jam was around the M18 junction, where 6 miles took an hour!. A spot of late lunch and we were only an hour behind BH1. By the time we got to Scotch Corner we had made up most of that (mainly by not stopping, as the van struggles to break the speed limit!). The Pennines past with great views and little trouble and soon we were int he heart of the lake district. the road past Blencathra brought back many memories, as did the view of Cat Beils.
We knew we were getting closer as the roads got narrower, and on the final bit from Aspatria, all the memories of being at the first Solfest came flooding back ... the site entrance was clearly marked and we were soon in the queue to get our wrist bands ... nice touch here - they were material crimped with a simple soft metal ring, but highly effective and noticeable. BH1 had arrived just before us, with BH2 30 mins in front of that. Already the camping area was bursting and we struggled to find an area covering enough space for the complete "paddock" are encampment would cover! After negotiating a tortuous path through the tents at the entrance to the field we eventually found space at the far end - just in time as already this was filling out.
Solfest had grown since last time and was no longer the small intimate gathering it had been - no chance the food would run out! There were great numbers of stalls ranging from the standard festival fayre and food outlets to side shows and impressively a "healing area" with many offerings. There were 4 main venues - the main stage, the bar stage, the drystone stage and the dance tent (massive circus marquee, but not interesting enough to venture nearer than the outside). there was loads of "street" entertainment going on around the site, along with a fancy dress competition - not sure if this was all weekend or just a particular day, but the costumes were many and varied! Adam and Eve were brave in the cold evening! - Andy has plenty of pictures in the big gallery.
The first evening (Friday) the Osrics were playing and Nic being a long time fan wanted to see how they were getting on, but first a trip to the beer tent ... to look at the stage, but also visit the bar!!! Karaoke metal was the music of the moment, but hey if the big boys can do it, why can't the little ones (or girl in this case). The Osrics were blighted by a power problem that had been going on all day ... seems like the power to the main stage was tripping on all 3 phases.. eventually it was down to just one then OK, but it must have been hard to play through that kind of trouble.
The next day we were woken early (as is usual on a packed campsite - earplugs a necessity) but breakfast was just round the corner - bacon butties, and plenty of fresh coffee .. Mmmm
Andy had arrived overnight and he was waiting in his car for us to emerge
We did catch a fleeting glimpse of our next door camping neighbours and their puppet show, but we could have been in different timezones as you look at when we were around the tents. I do hope he was not disturbed too much by our late night comings and goings.
Saturday was going to be a long affair as Bluehorses was not due to play until "stupid o'clock" in the bar tent once the main stage had closed. So everything was very lazy, the girls went window shopping, and there was lots of tea and chatting. As the day wore on and the sun dipped behind the hills, if got quite nippy, making the time creep by ever so slowly.
As the clocked ticked around to midnight, we just had a chance to see the incredible Bodhrain playing of Emma and the professor on the dry stone stage, and then it was time to start the pre show setup panic. the Bar stage was not huge, but we managed to get setup and going relatively easily, with a minimum of level check.
slightly early the band hit the stage.. swiftly moving into the same set as was played at Peterborough. The full set list can be seen on the tailz blog. At the start most people were around the bar at the back, however by the time Witch in Wedlock was finished there was a crowded dance floor . The show went down exceedingly well, especially considering it was in the wee small hours and most sensible people would have been expected to be curled up in their sleeping bags - the tent was crowded.
As there was no curfew on the music Barbara Allen was slipped into the set at the start of the encores, and before the end of Skyclad the tables were in use It was 3am before the band finished, and everything was starting to get blurry - I don't remember much about the pack up and stumbled back to the tent. I was out for the count as soon as my head hit the ground, I could have slept anywhere.
Sunday morning the warmth of the sun woke me up, followed by some brat with a horn - much expletives later round to the breakfast bar, and the morning constitutional ... one of the secrets of surviving festivals is to find out when the S**t sucker goes around for a wash and brush up of the portaloos, then get in straight after - much pleasanter than 10 mins earlier ;).
We would have loved to hang around for the Levellers (Katie was disappointed to miss them) but with a 7 hour journey ahead we did not want to be fighting the bank holiday traffic the following day. We headed back. Luck was with us and there was no real hold ups all the way home .. Mind you the girls would not really have known as they slept most of the way ;)
Next stage was negotiating the M1 upto M18 then A1 to Scotch Corner, with the A66 to Cockermouth and some fiddly bits to finish off. The M1 was busy, getting busier, there was only a slight delay around the West Midlands Airport but the big jam was around the M18 junction, where 6 miles took an hour!. A spot of late lunch and we were only an hour behind BH1. By the time we got to Scotch Corner we had made up most of that (mainly by not stopping, as the van struggles to break the speed limit!). The Pennines past with great views and little trouble and soon we were int he heart of the lake district. the road past Blencathra brought back many memories, as did the view of Cat Beils.
We knew we were getting closer as the roads got narrower, and on the final bit from Aspatria, all the memories of being at the first Solfest came flooding back ... the site entrance was clearly marked and we were soon in the queue to get our wrist bands ... nice touch here - they were material crimped with a simple soft metal ring, but highly effective and noticeable. BH1 had arrived just before us, with BH2 30 mins in front of that. Already the camping area was bursting and we struggled to find an area covering enough space for the complete "paddock" are encampment would cover! After negotiating a tortuous path through the tents at the entrance to the field we eventually found space at the far end - just in time as already this was filling out.
Solfest had grown since last time and was no longer the small intimate gathering it had been - no chance the food would run out! There were great numbers of stalls ranging from the standard festival fayre and food outlets to side shows and impressively a "healing area" with many offerings. There were 4 main venues - the main stage, the bar stage, the drystone stage and the dance tent (massive circus marquee, but not interesting enough to venture nearer than the outside). there was loads of "street" entertainment going on around the site, along with a fancy dress competition - not sure if this was all weekend or just a particular day, but the costumes were many and varied! Adam and Eve were brave in the cold evening! - Andy has plenty of pictures in the big gallery.
The first evening (Friday) the Osrics were playing and Nic being a long time fan wanted to see how they were getting on, but first a trip to the beer tent ... to look at the stage, but also visit the bar!!! Karaoke metal was the music of the moment, but hey if the big boys can do it, why can't the little ones (or girl in this case). The Osrics were blighted by a power problem that had been going on all day ... seems like the power to the main stage was tripping on all 3 phases.. eventually it was down to just one then OK, but it must have been hard to play through that kind of trouble.
The next day we were woken early (as is usual on a packed campsite - earplugs a necessity) but breakfast was just round the corner - bacon butties, and plenty of fresh coffee .. Mmmm
Andy had arrived overnight and he was waiting in his car for us to emergeWe did catch a fleeting glimpse of our next door camping neighbours and their puppet show, but we could have been in different timezones as you look at when we were around the tents. I do hope he was not disturbed too much by our late night comings and goings.
Saturday was going to be a long affair as Bluehorses was not due to play until "stupid o'clock" in the bar tent once the main stage had closed. So everything was very lazy, the girls went window shopping, and there was lots of tea and chatting. As the day wore on and the sun dipped behind the hills, if got quite nippy, making the time creep by ever so slowly.As the clocked ticked around to midnight, we just had a chance to see the incredible Bodhrain playing of Emma and the professor on the dry stone stage, and then it was time to start the pre show setup panic. the Bar stage was not huge, but we managed to get setup and going relatively easily, with a minimum of level check.
slightly early the band hit the stage.. swiftly moving into the same set as was played at Peterborough. The full set list can be seen on the tailz blog. At the start most people were around the bar at the back, however by the time Witch in Wedlock was finished there was a crowded dance floor . The show went down exceedingly well, especially considering it was in the wee small hours and most sensible people would have been expected to be curled up in their sleeping bags - the tent was crowded.
As there was no curfew on the music Barbara Allen was slipped into the set at the start of the encores, and before the end of Skyclad the tables were in use It was 3am before the band finished, and everything was starting to get blurry - I don't remember much about the pack up and stumbled back to the tent. I was out for the count as soon as my head hit the ground, I could have slept anywhere.Sunday morning the warmth of the sun woke me up, followed by some brat with a horn - much expletives later round to the breakfast bar, and the morning constitutional ... one of the secrets of surviving festivals is to find out when the S**t sucker goes around for a wash and brush up of the portaloos, then get in straight after - much pleasanter than 10 mins earlier ;).
We would have loved to hang around for the Levellers (Katie was disappointed to miss them) but with a 7 hour journey ahead we did not want to be fighting the bank holiday traffic the following day. We headed back. Luck was with us and there was no real hold ups all the way home .. Mind you the girls would not really have known as they slept most of the way ;)
SetList - Solfest, Cumbria
Bluehorses Set List - Solfest
Cabbage Train
Witch in Wedlock
Blackleg Miner
Gravel Walk
Ostara/ Morrison's
Troll
Billy Boy
Hen
Night Visit
Sitting Pretty
Haslam's Bits
Bigger Gun
Hoedown
----- Encore -----
Barbara Allen
Skyclad
Raggle
Twmbarlwm
Pictures from the show will be available in the photo gallery here
SetList - Peterborough Beer Festival
Bluehorses Set List - Peterborough Beer Festival
Cabbage Train
Witch in Wedlock
Blackleg Miner
Gravel Walk
Ostara/ Morrison's
Troll
Billy Boy
Hen
Night Visit
Sitting Pretty
Haslam's Bits
Bigger Gun
Hoedown
----- Encore -----
Skyclad
Raggle
Twmbarlwm
Pictures from the show will be available in the photo gallery here
Mike's Festival Diary - Peterborough Beer Festival
Peterborough ... another first for me, although the band had played there 10 years ago - i suspect it was not quite so big then!An early start to get a morning's work in before a leisurely drive up during the morning, and a pause for some lunch, brought us to the outskirts around 2pm. Plenty of time you would think to find the place and park up ready for an afternoon of tele-conferences (the good thing about these is that they don't have to know where you are ;) ). So where were the signs to the beer festival then - many tours of the inner ring road later and various side trips to neighboring suburbs - we finally pulled into a car park, with the last resort to get out and walk, when we spotted the marquees over the fence. Running out of time I sent the girls off to buy a parking ticket, whilst I made my calls. A couple of hours later we pulling in behind the law courts beside the theater and onto the park that was resident to the festival.
Parking up in the staff car park, we quickly found the festival organiser and got the low down of the place. He was the first person (outside of the band family) who remembers "Big" Dave Salmon, or rather his two guitar technique. We just had time to fire off a text to BH1 and 2 to tell them that they needed to made their approach via the "Red gate", and they were pulling up outside.
The organisation had refined things over the years and so we were able the drive right up to the stage, and unload, which we promptly did. We also had the luxury of a full sound check, rather than the more usual festival line check and mad panic at the start of the set.
While "Split whiskers" were setting up and checking we sorted out the evening's accommodation and perused the stalls and beer stages ... there were two sides of the square devoted to beer and ciders from all over. the third side was the stage, and in the middle the staff camping and chill out area.
Dusk fell and everyone was keen to get on with the show, the evening was positively balmy, and there was no need to sit couped up in the dressing room, so taking the smokers lead we decamped outside.
After "Split Whiskers" had finished we had a quick change over with all the kit brought forward. Whilst this was going on Hereford Fm had a competition for beer vouchers centre stage - which made it slightly awkward to tape the leads down etc. however they were all game for a bit of added obstacle course difficulty to answering the questions.
For the first time I have known, Nic and Jay had devised an intro tune, so the band came on to a short piece of pre-recorded music, and this gradually morphed into "Cabbage Train" as the band took over. The full set list is here, however after the success at Cambridge "Troll" or rather to give it it's correct title "Dance with me" is a permanent feature in the set list now, along with "Raggle" and "Waes Hael" from the new album :) .
Soon the "Twmbarlwm" was drawing to a close and the curfew time was upon us. There was a mass rush for signatures as Hev and Bob handed out CDs and DVDs in return for cash. One young lady even insisted that everyone sign her tee shirt, tho I'm not sure it was a permanent marker!
After packing everything away we retired to the sound and lighting crews hospitality tent - where we whiled away the small hours. The next morning came all too soon with the cathedral bells shortly after 7am, which wasn't quite fair play, but did get us up and going.Next stop Solfest!!!
Comments on Bluehorses at Farmer Phils
Here are some comments I found on Bluehorses at Farmer Phils
One from MidnightList who played in the acoustic tent - here
This is Rhayn's blog from the show - here
One from MidnightList who played in the acoustic tent - here
This is Rhayn's blog from the show - here
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