Valley Fest and Arcadia join forces for 2022

Since its inception in 2014, Valley Fest has been designed to be a friendly and relaxed festival with a distinct flavour, set in the stunning surroundings of Chew Valley Lake and the Mendip hills.

The annual event has built itself a deserved reputation for being a small, and unique, family-friendly festival, and a summer favourite for Bristol and the south west.

Alongside the much-loved Lake Stage, new for 2022 will be a spectacular collaboration with the world-famous performance-art collective Arcadia, whose Afterburner stage will be gracing Valley Fest’s second field with a light, laser and fire show.

Arcadia’s Afterburner stage – photo: Ben Daure

Confirmed acts to perform on the rocket-shaped stage, which is encircled by metal trees, include Faithless (DJ set), Roni Size and The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club.

Founded in Bristol in 2008 by Pip Rush and Bertie Cole, Arcadia are famed for their post-apocalyptic aesthetic – fusing recycling, sculpture, circus and music; for their use of fire and light (animating live sets with controlled flames); for their truly jawdropping giant metal structures built from repurposed scrap and ex-military equipment – most famously, the Arcadia spider; and ultimately, for their unforgettable parties.

Arcadia’s musical Tesla coil – photo: Charlie Barnyard

Having toured the Afterburner stage to Burning Man festival, New Zealand, Croatia and Miami among other places, now, for the Arcadia collective, bringing things back home makes a lot of sense.

The team has lived on Hasell’s fields for 15 years, and have long been associated with the Valley Fest land – most recently opening up the off-grid campsite Nature’s Spectacular, reflecting their deepening interest in natural regeneration. They also brought their Bug stage to the last two Valley Fests.

Valley Fest’s Lake Stage, overlooking Chew Valley Lake (2021) – photo: Ania Shrimpton

“After touring four continents, it feels fantastic to be bringing the party home again,” reflects Rush. “Many of us have moved into the Chew Valley and have our kids in school. During lockdown it became clear we should be growing deeper roots at home, both from a social and an environmental perspective.

“We’ve loved working in recycled materials and to sculpt a whole festival environment from the ground up, to plant trees and play the long game is next level. This is an installation that we hope will be built by thousands of people and evolved over many generations.”

It’s an outlook shared by Valley Fest founder Luke Hasell, who is an organic and regenerative farmer on the land. “We could not be more excited,” he admits. “It’s a true homecoming for the Arcadia team, and a true celebration of Bristol talent.”

Dad and daughter at Valley Fest (2021) – photo: Ania Shrimpton

Hasell originally set up the festival in memory of his parents and their great love of sharing fun and food with friends. “Having a festival on a working farm means that people can come and get a better understanding about farming,” he says.

“This is why it’s a great family festival – to show kids where their food comes from and teach them about the land is wonderful – this is the next generation of environmental stewards.”

Reflecting the emphasis on sustainability running through the festival, the gas used for the Arcadia Afterburner show will be sustainable BioLPG.

The full music line up for Valley Fest will be released in March.

ValleyFest is at Chew Valley Lake on 4-7 August. For more information including the full line up, limited tickets and directions, visit www.valleyfest.co.uk.

Main image: Ben Daure

Read more: Off-grid campsite near Bristol opened by Arcadia team

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