Review: Valley Fest 2018

The Valley Fest site on Luke Hasell’s organic farm is just a handful of miles south of Whitchurch. Through winding country lanes and past the standing stones at Stanton Drew, there’s barely enough time for little ones to ask “are we nearly there yet?” before the enormous glittery letters above the main entrance proclaiming “get on my land!” hone into view. This spirit of generosity runs through the veins of this compact, well-organised and supremely family-friendly festival.

With wristbands on, it was a short wait for the tractor pulling a trailer big enough to take a dozen families and all their worldly belongings. We clanked up to the campsite and glamping supplied by Tinkerbell Tents and Hearthworks, a clean set toilets and showers, and an astounding view of rolling countryside and the sparkling blue water of Chew Valley Lake.

Friday night’s music kicked off with Yola Carter on the main Lake Stage, and her Nashville-via-Bristol vibe set the tone for much of the weekend’s acts, who had a distinctly Stateside flavour to their modern country sound and sure knew how to throw a hoedown.

After a quick change into something befitting the Legends of the Lake fancy-dress theme, it was time to sample the food at Friday night’s feast. In the Chew Down tent, long wooden tables were laden with fresh bread and soft butter, while jellyfish with fairy light tentacles hung from the ceiling. The enthusiastic compere (“when I say ‘call me’, you say ‘Ishmael!’”) led a sea shanty to go with our prosecco, and soon fellow campers were meeting, admiring outfits and bonding over good food and wine.

Cooked by Yeo Valley Canteen head chef Paul Collins, a pair of delicious trout starters fished from nearby Blagdon Lake made way for Dauphinoise potatoes and beautiful organic beef. After-dinner entertainment was offered by a half-man-half-fish lip-synching The Little Mermaid, and choosing a chap dressed as Ariel to be his life partner. Ariel politely declined as, producing an engagement ring, he proposed to his girlfriend to rapturous applause.

Outside, darkness had fallen and Oh My God, It’s The Church! were in full swing, with Reverend Michael Alabama Jackson resplendent in a gold three-piece suit keeping his congregation rapt with covers, original songs and a couple of brand new numbers thrown into the mix.

Oh My God, It’s The Church!

Saturday dawned blazing hot, and despite the late nights for some, the morning Zumba class attracted good numbers – mainly under the age of ten – while the Yoga Shala tipi was full of stretching bodies. Families congregated around Junkfish’s  arts and crafts tent and in the Yard, an enclosed area with a bar stocked by Wild Beer and decorated with one of Luke Jerram’s fishing boats, last seen in Leigh Woods for his 2015 installation Withdrawn. Kids ran riot doing The Floss and cantering around during the hobby horse gymkhana.

At the top of the site, vintage tractors had their photographs taken, cows chewed the cud, sheep sought shade and tin cans pinged when airsoft guns hit the target. Out of the sun, the Weleda Wellbeing tent offered relaxing facials and spoken word was in full flow at The Gathering Place. Near the Ring O’Bells bar, Luke Hasell threw customised tweet jackets to a crowd drinking pints of Valley Fest pale ale from Bristol Beer Factory.

In the Barnstormer, a wooden-framed barn and second music stage new for 2018, RHAIN performed a note-perfect set at her keyboard to a packed crowd. The Bristol-based Fantasy Orchestra filled the main stage with a staggering variety of instruments, hats and genres, from The Specials’ upbeat ska to a piece of Indian music arranged by a Bollywood producer, and between sets beats emanated from the glittery silver Yeo Valley ice cream van, DJ decks in one window and tubs of ice-cream in the other.

A perfect sunset descended on the lake as Rae Morris gave a masterclass in looking cool while whirling around on stage and effortlessly reaching notes others only dream of. Dizraeli and DownLow followed with a bass-heavy set that had the young and the young at heart alike dancing, and headliners St Paul & The Broken Bones had a powerful energy that touched the soul and made a perfect backdrop for a boozy hot chocolate around the fire pit.

There were considerably fewer takers for morning Zumba on Sunday morning, but reinforcements were being swelled all the time by locals with day tickets, a picnic packed for a day out in the countryside accompanied by music from Lady Nade, Sam Outlaw and, closing the festival in some style, Dirty Bourbon River Show.

For anyone who finds the size of a mainstream festival intimidating – whether the trek between the campsite and stages, or the fear of missing out when there are six brilliant artists on at any given time – the compact nature of Valley Fest is perfect. Add in the breathtaking lakeside views, community spirit and activities for all the family and you’re onto a winner. Pack your tweed and prepare to have a stonking weekend next time Valley Fest rolls around.