After Standon Calling was cut short last weekend because of flash floods, there must have been one or two worried faces at Farmfest HQ as the weather forecast took a drastic turn for the worse in the lead-up to the event.
Conditions were so poor on the Friday, the day on which the vast majority of the 5,000 or so revellers were due to arrive at the Somerset party, that organisers were forced to share a message on social media advising people to postpone their departure until the gale force winds and horizontal rain had eased off.
Once we arrived at the site the picturesque Bruton site, having foolishly ignored the warning, and opened the car door only for it to be instantly blown shut again by a mighty gust of wind, we realised organisers had been wise to stall people’s arrival.
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But what struck us once we eventually managed to step onto the wet grass was the atmosphere in the car park, with people all around us letting out cheers of joy as they too vacated their vehicles and braved the inclement weather.
If everyone was this excited to simply be in a muddy makeshift car park in the pouring rain after so long without festivals, we couldn’t wait to get through the gates and into the main site, which proved to be a straightforward procedure. Ah, the beauty of small festivals.
The weather soon improved which raised spirits even higher, and before long we were experiencing all the things that have been missed by so many in the absence of festivals; getting to know our neighbouring campers, scouring the set times, the smell of the long-drops. Actually, scrap the last one.
What has been missed even more throughout the pandemic of course is live music, and boy did Farmfest deliver on that front – especially considering tickets are only priced around the £100 mark. The event always manages to pull in a diverse mix of both up-and-coming and established artists, and this year was no different.
The main stage played host to the likes of afro-funk party starters Ibibio Sound Machine – who played the Avalon Stage at Glastonbury 2019 – Geoff Barrow’s Beak and fast-rising indie rockers Gengahr, while smaller stages welcomed intergalactic ravers Henge, hotly-tipped punk quartet Talk Show and Bristol’s Americana-inspired Katy J Pearson, to name just a few.
And it was the latter whose set we were fortunate enough to catch first, setting the bar incredibly high for the rest of the weekend. The singer-songwriter released her fantastic debut album in November last year, which beautifully combines country, indie, pop and folk. I would recommend snapping up tickets to one of her two shows at the Louisiana later this month, but they’ve unsurprisingly sold out already.
“This is a bit overwhelming,” she beamed halfway through her polished set as she took in the adoring crowd in front of her, a sight she hadn’t seen in a long time. She can rest assured she wasn’t the only one in the Big Blue feeling that way.
Bristol singer-songwriter Katy J Pearson
(Image: Bristol Live)
Other highlights on the Friday included the brilliantly bonkers Snapped Ankles, who could easily pass as a band you might see in an episode of the Mighty Boosh with their woodland costumes, Afrobeat icon Dele Sosimi and Beak, the experimental trio formed of Barrow, Billy Fuller and Will Young (of Moon Gangs, not Pop Idol).
Day two brought with it another feast of seriously good music, with Bristol’s The Big Bad – previously known as Stone Cold Fiction – winning over a horde new fans with their full-frontal brand of heavy alt-rock and psychedelica. One notable fan watching on from the side of the tent was the aforementioned Geoff Barrow, who had stuck around after his Friday night headline set.
Snapped Ankles at Farmfest 2021
(Image: Bristol Live)
I managed to grab a quick chat with him to hear his thoughts on Farmfest, and he responded with a ringing endorsement. “Last night was our first gig in 18 months and we couldn’t have picked a better place to play it,” he told me.
“What’s so nice about Farmfest is that it caters for alternative music, similar to Green Man in Brecon and End of the Road in Dorset. It’s amazing that they’ve tried really hard to put this on and pulled off a great lineup.
“It’s just a brilliant little festival and exactly what the area needs.”
High praise indeed, I think you’ll agree. Later in the day, Frome/Bristol-based instrumental jazz and funk trio Plume gave a memorable performance in the Big Blue, before enigmatic Bath-based brothers Bite The Buffalo played a barnstorming set of unadulterated rock’n’roll jam-packed with massive riffs.
Instrumental trio Plume at Farmfest
(Image: Bristol Live)
Then over on the main stage it was the turn of Los Bitchos, whose irresistible grooves were reminiscent of those dished up by revered Texan trio Khruangbin. Needless to say, their dreamy sounds were the perfect accompaniment to the glorious evening sun.
One person enjoying their set at the front of the crowd was another well-known Bristol-based Jeff – Jeffrey Johns (aka Big Jeff) – who was clearly relishing his return to the festival circuit. Unsurprisingly, the fantastic Ibibio Sound Machine then closed out the main stage in sensational style, delivering a set of unbridled joy and positivity.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the Soul Express, which is easily one of the best things about the festival. It’s a stage plonked in the middle of the site designed like a train which hosts DJs in the neighbouring ‘platform’ who play the very best in funk, soul and disco; the ultimate party music from morning until midnight.
The Soul Express at Farmfest
(Image: Bristol Live)
Selectors who stepped up to the tracks and took passengers to Boogieland Parkway included Northern Soul Girl, Chris Arnold and Sam Bhok b2b Admin.
The locomotive wasn’t the only place to see top class DJs either, with well-known electronic acts such as Ross From Friends , Maxxi Soundsystem and the legendary Norman Jay MBE all bringing the bass until the early hours at The Den and aptly-named Bonecrusher.
Away from the music, there was plenty for kids to enjoy including workshops and games, a decent selection of food stalls, yoga classes for those looking to unwind and decent toilets. Oh, and views of stunning Somerset countryside. If I had one small gripe, it would be that the range of drinks on offer at the few on-site bars was fairly limited.
Los Bitchos at Farmfest
(Image: Bristol Live)
Understandably, people were asked not to take their own booze into the main arena as bar sales are what keeps the independent, sponsor-free festival alive, but if that’s the case, there should be the option of spirits alongside the beer and cider. Still, this was not enough to take the shine off things, not by a long way.
For the price, you really can’t go wrong with Farmfest, whose organisers should be commended for managing to stage such a fantastic event in less-than-ideal circumstances. It was exactly the kind of life-affirming weekend we all needed after a very challenging 18 months.
Farmfest takes place annually at Gilcombe, Bruton, BA10 0QE. More information about the festival can be found on its website.
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