Review: Valley Fest 2019

It was difficult not to be drawn into the stunning surrounds of Chew Valley – the lake glistened in the morning dew, ducks called out for their mates across the vast wheat fields and Canadian Geese flew in V formations right above our heads. Valley Fest was stuck smack bang in the middle of a Windows XP background, with poetic sunsets and smells of freshly mown grass and lakeside fish and chips.

Valley Fest 2019 by Phil Riley

The site took up a field and a half of Chew’s vast green expanse, the Lake Stage standing a radiant purple spire in the centre. The second stage swallowed up its audience, a low-slung tent with a comfy ambience which led most punters to sprawl out on the floor while enjoying the daytime performances. Surrounding the music stages was the Vegan Pyramid, the Gathering Place fit with a bejangled boat and secret yoga tents, Yeo Valley vans serving ice cold milk and slap up breakfasts and traders a-plenty selling sustainable lifestyles. It was immediately obvious this festival was less about pleasing audiophiles and more about accommodating families. There was an atmosphere not unlike a comfortable campsite in the countryside; a base for young kids and parents who want a little escape from the nine to five.

Valley Fest 2019 by Phil Riley

Friday night started off relatively quietly, gaps in the audiences were noticeable for Dutty Moonshine Big Band, but that didn’t stop the funk collective getting down and dirty on the Lake Stage. Perfectly bluesy, just enough brassy versions of their classics Bang Bang and Distillin got us moving before Basement Jaxx took to the decks. The South London production duo took us on a house-infused, R&B-fuelled tech-heavy set that required a much more sophisticated sound system. Their set threw us back into the best parts of 90s house and early 2000s rave tunes, soaking a more mature crowd in a well-enjoyed shower of nostalgia.

Basement Jaxx headline set by Phil Riley

After putting children safely in their tents, the parents and their friends meandered down to Second Stage where Icarus spun a pop-infused house set ahead of the mighty Neil Barnes of Leftfield. His set was one big slow burner; there was no instant gratification of drop after drop every two and a half minutes, instead, he teased the fibres of techno out of a predominantly house and rave set, finally climaxing in an epic blaze.

Valley Fest 2019 by Phil Riley

Saturday started early, much to the disapproval of anyone between the ages of 18 and 25. Morning Zumba took over the Lake Stage and saw swathes of families don their finest lycra leggings, meanwhile, the Gathering Place took couples through guided meditation and energising morning flows. Kids were given free rein of the site to enjoy face painting, circus skills, short films at the Flicks tent and craft workshops on creating plasticine models and weaving wool.

Valley Fest 2019 by Phil Riley

Bristol’s own The Desert really drew us back into the music between 3-4pm on the Second Stage. Lead vocalist and songwriter Gina Leonard lent her haunting tones to a fully realised percussion and bass section, not allowing us to focus on anything else aside from plays from their new EP Winning You Back. The Second Stage also saw plays from Afrikan Boy, who brought the sounds of the African continent to Somerset, Nubiyan Twist and golden-age hip-hop duo Too Many T’s.

Valley Fest 2019 by Phil Riley

Meanwhile, veterans Razorlight hopped on the Lake Stage. Their defining moment, Before I Fall To Pieces, hit the mid-twenties in the crowd right in the childhood. It was one all-encompassing moment in an otherwise unexceptional set – one filled with heavy American rock guitars and three-chord basslines. Definitely enjoyable, but nothing to write home about.

The Yard area by Phil Riley

When the Lake Stage started packing up, The Yard opened for business. A baby Arcadia bug strapped to the back of a military-style truck fired out reggae, drum and bass, ska and dub on all cylinders. Straight-out-of-University duo DJ Dunks and Flashman Funk oozed joy, confidence and good vibes in a mish-mash set of drum and bass, funk, and reggae-inspired remixes of classic tracks. They were just the pick me up you need on a slightly languish Saturday afternoon. The duo was later followed by reggae-dancehall legends The Nextmen who threw down tracks from their recent collaborative record Pound for Pound with Gentleman’s Dub Club and Gardna – the latter joined them on stage for slick MC duties.

Tom Odell headline set by Phil Riley

Sunday rounded out the weekend’s performances with outer space politics from intergalactic ravers Henge, slinky love ballads from Tom Odell and a little slice of Bristol musical heritage as Boca 45 celebrated his latest release with Pete Isaac. Foodie workshops, Aardman craft sessions and engaging talks on sustainable eating, farming revolutions and mind and body healing continued until the sun set – by which time most of the families and Monday morning workers had scuttled off back to their homesteads.

Valley Fest 2019 by Phil Riley

It was a beautiful weekend overall – one filled with happy faces, incredible sights and smells and engaging activities for everyone from six to sixty years old. It had a little bit of everything for everyone, stretching itself out to cover every and all bases. And while that was its main catch, it was also its downfall. The small pockets of greatness among the clutter gave me hope that this young festival can really find its feet in a saturated industry. I’m just looking forward to seeing which direction they go in.

All images by Phil Riley

Read More: Five acts not to miss at Valley Fest 2019