We got there at staggered times. Jay first, then Lizzy, Nic and Stan, then some time after Mike, Rob and me arrived in Mikes wagon.
The drive over Long Myndd was a surprise, very steep, very narrow and no safety barriers. Views were outstanding. We eventually got there, only taking a couple of wrong turns. You could see the hillside, covered in tents from a distance, so that was it. It looked like a small version of Glastonbury.
We booked in, and got our passes from the drunk guys at the gate, then drove down to the back stage area to meet up with the others. All was looking well.
The band who were performing before BH were just starting. Big helloooo'sand hugs over with, a few beers were cracked open, and the unloading of the kit started.
The stage was just amazing. It was bodged together using a COW ROTARY MILKING PARLOUR CAROUSEL and several pallets. The idea came to them while they were all down the pub (suprise suprise). The stage had a large circular revolving patform in the middle. Then it was halved, to create two stages. While one band played, the next band could set up behind them without being seen, then at the right time, the stage turned round to reveal the next bands stage. It was very, very clever, and saved ooodles of time at the band change over.
While setting up, a guy appeared from the performing side of the stage, came up to me and Stan, stripped off to his shreddies, put on a womans tight dress, wig and a whip.....then went off again......this was getting more and more mental .
With the gear set up, it was time to chill and have couple of ales (do as the locals do). When the previous band finished, the stage rotated to reveal the Bluehorses stage set to a huuuge applause and whistles....that was cool.
Cabbage train of course kicked off the nights party. What the band didnt see, was the guy fixing the stage floor just behind Nic on the other side of the partition, he was hammering the crap out of the stage with a large lump hammer, and managing to time the hits to Nics drumming...
Despite the fact that the back stage looked like a building site, the front stage view was very impressive and was as good as any other festival, in fact they had a pretty good light system.
The area was heaving with people, all having a blast. This was going to be a storming night. The front of the stage was crammed with people jumping and dancing. In fact some of the security guys were kept busy with them for a while making sure it didnt get to over the top.
Have to hand it to those lads from security, they had the right attitude. They didnt stop people having fun, they just wanted all to be safe. Witch in Wedlock kept the party going and many people knew the chorus. Billy Boy gave the crowd a chance to see Lizzy strut her stuff with her mandolin. Blackleg also kept up the pace.
Next up Hoedown/Reels, now things really did kick off. The crowd was going bonkers, it was a pure party atmosphere, they were here to have a great time and dance the night away and they got the best band to do it to.
Night Visit was up next, Gravel Walk Ostara then live classic Haslams Bits...the dancing at the front was a sight to see. It was hard to tell who was having more fun, the band or the crowd.
Bigger Gun, Skylad and of course Twmbarlwm finshed off the set. It was a blinder of a gig. The crowd had a fantastic night and so did we. This is what its all about, everybody having a great time to an excellent live band and really getting into the spirit of it. Again, the stage rotated so we could pack away the gear.
To me, this was what festivals are all about. It was a great experience. The band had a great time, and the crowd loved it, they danced all the way throught the set and made a party out of it.
Major thanks to Farmer Phil and his team of drunk staff who made a perfect festival. No corporate bullshit. This is a festival we must come back to.
