A lot can happen in ten years. People change, trends come and go, and a small gathering of music fans in a wooden barn in Gloucester can become the best festival in the world. After building up a reputation over the past decade for championing new music, breaking down barriers, and being the most warm and welcoming festival family around, Over Farm found itself at the centre of a very special birthday. With Barn on the Farm celebrating it’s tenth anniversary (and Belwood returning for a fifth year), expectations were high that they would pull something special out of the bag. And, in spite of a few big names pulling out last minute, they did all that and more. Continue reading
festivals
Live Review: Barn on the Farm Festival 2018
Even in the midst of the most unbearable heatwave I’ve ever experienced, the best weekend of the year didn’t disappoint. While most festivals would have had people literally fighting over the rare patches of shade, or disappearing to watch the England match and causing havoc on their return, this is Barn on the Farm we’re talking about. Everyone that’s been to this little patch of paradise can attest to the indescribable sense of community, and for whatever reason that feeling was stronger than ever this year. On the year where the festival returns to its roots in breaking new artists, I was lucky enough to occupy Over Farm for the full four days and catch all the action. Continue reading
Small But Mighty: Why we need more small festivals
It’s a peculiar time for the music industry. Streaming services are showing record figures, but there are still struggling up-and-coming artists being paid mere pennies. A recent report showed that live music attendance in the UK is at an all time high, yet grassroots venues up and down the country continue to close. Our music industry has experienced a massive boon in recent years, but it seems that only those at the top are reaping the rewards. Continue reading
How Not to F*** Up a Festival
To say that this year’s festival season has been a bit of a shambles would be a massive understatement. That’s like saying the Sahara Desert is “a bit warm”. Between Y Not being totally unprepared for rain (i.e. a normal British summer) to Hope and Glory being several thousand over capacity, it’s been one hell of a year for shamefully poor organisation… and the less said about the horror show that is Fyre Festival the better. All of them cut corners when it came to security and facilities, all of them showed utter disregard for their patron’s safety, enjoyment and well-being. Anyone who has been to a half decent festival will know that all these problems are easily avoided. Continue reading
Live Review: Barn on the Farm Festival 2017
My favourite weekend of the year, bar none, has sadly been and gone. But in its wake it has left behind memories that will stay with me for many more years to come. The line-up for 2017 was a curious one. Though it was lauded as their most ambitious to date, there weren’t actually that many names I was familiar with. While previous festivals had gathered together some of my favourite up-and-coming artists, 2017 was all about adding new names to that list… as well as checking in with a couple of old favourites of course! I wandered around the pastoral paradise clutching my programme like some racing punter following his gut; the key difference being that Barn on the Farm kept up the trend of providing nothing but winners. Continue reading
Ed Sheeran to headline Glastonbury 2017
In a move that has surprised literally no one, Ed Sheeran has been revealed as this year’s third and final Glastonbury headliner. Given the year that he’s had thus far I’d say being top of the bill at the Pyramid stage is more than justified. His third album Divide has been breaking numerous records, becoming one of the fastest selling albums ever and completely taking over the UK charts with all 16 tracks in the top 20, in an unprecedented event that has called for changes in the role of streaming services’ contributions to the charts. Sheeran will close the festival on the Sunday, following fellow headliners Radiohead and Foo Fighters.
Kasabian announced as Reading and Leeds headliners
It has been announced today that Kasabian will be headlining the twin festivals of Reading and Leeds this year. The Leicester lads, who last topped the bill in 2012, will be joining fellow headliners Muse, with the third and final act yet to be announced. Other bands announced today include Two Door Cinema Club, Circa Waves and Rat Boy. The line-up has one again received heavy criticism for not containing enough women.
T in the Park 2017 cancelled
Scottish festival T in the Park has announced that it will be taking a fallow year in 2017, marking the first year that the event has failed to take place since it’s inception in 1994. A statement from the festival organisers cited problems “logistically and financially” with moving sites and with the new site affecting a nesting pair of rare Ospreys. This seems the latest installment of bad publicity for the event, as recent years have included high crime rates and antisocial behaviour, several deaths, major traffic delays and poor organisation. Hopefully with an extra year with which to plan, some of these issues will be resolved before the 2018 festival.
Download 2017 headliners announced
Download Festival has announced all three of it’s headliners for next summer’s festival. System of a Down will play their third headline appearance on the Friday, Biffy Clyro will headline the festival for the first time on the Saturday in support of their new album Ellipsis and Aerosmith will make their only UK appearance of 2017 as they bring proceedings to a close on the Sunday. The festival will take place on the 9th-11th June at Donington Park, with the remainder of the line-up still yet to be revealed.
Radiohead to headline Glastonbury 2017
It has been confirmed that Radiohead are the first headliners of Glastonbury Festival 2017. The official announcement arrived after rumours surrounding an odd crop circle that appeared on the site of the famous Pyramid stage on the festival’s live webcam, which later turned out to be the band’s “bear face” logo. This will mark the third time the band have headlined the festival following performances in 1997 and 2003. Radiohead will be performing on Friday 23rd June with the other headliners yet to be announced, although those rumoured to be appearing include Daft Punk and The Stone Roses.
Belwood Music 