Farmfest 2015

2015 was a big year for Farmfest as it marked the wonderful weekend’s tenth anniversary. Tucked away in a gorgeous pocket of Somerset, birthday wishes were granted long before the fun began, with tickets selling out in advance for the first time since the event’s conception.

And so this year saw the festival deal with the problematic nature of an expanding boutique event, an issue that sees so many organisers chose increased capacity over cherishing the initial atmosphere. Luckily for Farmfest’s loyal clientele, there was no such problem here. This constantly improving little playground that began merely as a party for friends is now among the best of its ilk.

Despite its growing popularity, all the things that make Farmfest great: the carefully selected, diverse array of programming; the mix of people; the beautiful and easy-as-you-like location; and once the sun’s offered its final farewell, the party, remain very much the star attractions. By night you can take your pick from five tents, all packed ‘til the last with a mishmash of people that revel in the atmosphere and throw themselves into whatever is on offer. And when the sun shines there’s plenty else to do. You can take time out with yoga or a graffiti workshop, or in the False Passage, a new and lovely space for lighter and looser frolics, comedy, spoken word, poetry and other such treats.

 

  • © Alex Rawson

  • © Alex Rawson

Over on the main stage, Rozi Plain’s poppy electro folk, with its hide and seek vocals and echoes of Fleetwood Mac’s Albatross, helps see Friday in nicely. Later in The Big Blue, Duologue’s deep, delicate and melodic soundscape is a real highlight of the weekend. With hints of Radiohead’s more experimental work and a sound akin to a lighter, more playful The Antlers, there’s much to be admired.

By night, we’re soon involved in the mutating dub experiments of the illustrious Sherwood & Pinch, which draws one of the largest crowds of the evening for an education in the lineage of UK dancefloor destruction. Meanwhile, over in the Shapes stage, October and Appleblim’s back-to-back runs through a heady selection of italo and synth pop rarities and house and techno oddities that, despite sound issues, seduce a packed tent. Shapes residents follow on with their infectious energy behind the decks proving contagious as they smash through the last two hours with tough European techno. Phaeleh’s blissful set in The Den gets a look in before closing out the evening in the False Passage, where a guy on a slightly wonky piano pulls the strings behind a pretty big rendition of Live and Let Die.

 

  • © Owen Tetley

Saturday’s spent slopping about supping fine craft ales and taking in the comedian Wil Hodgson’s idiosyncratic view of the world from his Chippenham outpost. Judging by the way things kick off at No Go Stop’s mid-afternoon set, driven by cracking brass and percussion but sensualised by Marie Lister’s vocals, it’s clear this party is very much ready for round two. Portico’s ambient textures on the main stage are a delight, with Jono McCleery’s guest vocals layered perfectly against the setting sun’s shades. Sheelanagig, over in The Big Blue, are a storm. Their lively brew of gypsy folk never relents, creating wild abandon in a crowd that loves every minute.

The Farmfest Deejays bring things to the traditional close in The Den by playing out an exceptional two-hour venture in sprawling deep house and techno, with the set and bubbling atmosphere capturing just what‘s so special about this place. Now a decade into operation, this year’s Farmfest was the best yet. As any of its regular clientele will tell you, it’s a gem in the boutique festival landscape that, though accelerated by word of mouth praise, retains every charm that made it lovely in the first place.