Shire Guide: Festivals

Not content with being a land of rolling hills, beautiful scenery and fine ale, Herefordshire also boasts some of the most eclectic and diverse range of music festivals this side of Glastonbury. From folk to techno, contemporary to pop, there’s something for every music fan in Elgar’s (neighbouring) county. So read on as we try to cover all the essential festival stops this summer, all right here on your doorstep.

Wye Side FestIval (18 – 20 June, Sutton st. nicholas, tickets £54)

This year sees music legends The Stranglers, The Animals and The Wurzels along with Bellowhead (4 time winners of best live act at Radio 2’s Folk Awards) perform in the Shire. Add to that a great mix of local talent and you’ve got yourself a right ol’ knees up. Proper job!

Ledbury Poetry FestIval (2 – 11 July, ledbury, tickets varied)

In the same vein as Hay, just that little bit smaller, the Ledbury Poetry Festival offers many of the same attractions as its slightly more established elder brother with great poets, music, readings and atmosphere. Last year saw jazz group Polar Bear play an incredible set. Arab Strap front man Aidan Moffat offered his views on the world in the intimate Burgage Hall. All this together with many established and world-renowned poets and writers who continue to view the festival as a prestigious event. This year the poet in residence is Billy Collins and all the line-up information can be found at www.poetry-festival.com. And just for good measure this is from our current poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy: 'A rare genuine joining of place, poetry and people' and this from The Guardian: ‘This celebration of verse is the largest of its kind in the UK and also the most energised, giving a real sense of poetry as an important living, contemporary literary form.’ Praise indeed.

Nozstock ( 9 – 11 July, Bromyard, tickets £65)

Starting out as a family barbeque, Nozstock is the quintessential ‘grassroots’ festival. Set in the heart of a 17th Century farm with barns reverberating to the sound of pounding basslines you’d be forgiven for thinking this was a rave in the middle of nowhere. And you’d be right. Sort of. The core of this weekend is it’s drum’n’bass, dubstep and psytrance (headliners this year include SubFocus, High Contrast and Caspa) yet with it’s ever-growing reputation has come more of a conventional approach with last year’s headliner’s The Buzzcocks and this year’s The Blockheads bringing their legendary sounds to the Bromyard hills. Party-goers this year will bounce to anthemic sounds from established rock outfits alongside a smooth brew of up and coming indie acts as well as the usual heady mix of dance and old-skool raving. In their own words ‘Thanks to its late license and homegrown venues, Nozstock gives its punters all the fun and frivolity of a true festival, without the corporate sheen.’Not to be missed.

The Big Chill (5 – 8 august, eastnor, ledbury, tickets TBC)

Probably the most famous of all the festivals in the county, The Big Chill is also the largest. Set in the beautiful deer park of Eastnor Castle in the shadow of the Malvern Hills, this hugely diverse festival has its roots set in dance, electronic and house music. But don’t be fooled as the Chill also showcases the very best in nu-folk, jazz and world music as well as a few pop surprises (a relatively unknown Lily Allen appeared on the Castle Stage in 2007). Previous heavyweight headliners include last year’s triumphant reunion of 90’s rave legends Orbital, Basement Jaxx, David Byrne, Trentmoller, Leonard Cohen and The Cinematic Orchestra. Often coming out on top in broadsheet reviews of the best festivals the country has to offer, families, ravers, folkies and all those in-between chill, relax and party for 3 days. ‘There’s something for everyone’ has never been more apt.

The Green Man (20 – 22 august, brecon, tickets £120)

Ok, so it isn’t technically in the Shire (it’s right on the border) but who cares about technicalities? The Green Man has fast become one of the best small festivals in the country and to prove that you only have to take a look at previous and up-and-coming acts to perform at Glanusk Park; Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Animal Collective, Joanna Newsom, The Flaming Lips, Jarvis Cocker, Four Tet to name but quite a few. It’s pedigree for showcasing folk, indie and electronica is second-to-none. Add in the beautiful Brecon Beacons as a back-drop and you have the makings of a truly wonderful festival experience.

There are of course many other music and literary events occurring all over our green and pleasant land throughout the summer and no doubt somewhere near you, it’s inevitable. So, whether you take our advice or not, get out there, get involved (and drunk) and enjoy what this remote county of England has to offer. You’re spoilt for choice!

James Batley