We had arrived and as we drove into the site the attendants scratched their heads; where should we pitch our tent and park the car. We were shown a spot in the overflow field which we thought had enough room and was flat enough but didn’t think that this might be an open invitation for the other five tents which surrounded us when we returned later. I was impressed with the dazzling array of sleeping quarters; tepees, ridge tents, campers, buses, vans. Yes it can be seen that the Limies are an unconventional bunch of festival goers and have an anything goes relaxed attitude to life.
We went for a wander and visited the Jason Rae stage. I was pleased and surprised to discover a band called Blackout Retrospective for whom this was their first real gig. I said surprised because they gave a solid performance, (see film interview and performance below). The crowd and I loved their rocky beats- they are new and vibrant. Dancers seemed impelled to move in a soft robotic action I think the word is techno. There was buzz and air of excitement around the Jason Rae tent and people were thirsty for more.
Looking round for refreshment of another kind the bar and food outlets nearby were varied and accessible. So much choice the Thai Yum Yum Tummy, Chicken Brassiere, burger bar and more and that was only the bottom field away from the main stage. These fields show a natural bowl which cradled many activities past and present.The ancient stone circle was the site of tribal dance workshops where revellers had fun and learned a dance routine to fit all kinds of music. Once the workshop was finished the dancers spilled out in to the Jason Rae marquee and shook their toots to the funky beats of Aria Astrobeat Arkestra (see film clips below).
The atmosphere was a carnival delight, on stage horns blared, an organ excited into frenzy and beats which forced movement through the limbs. Aria Astrobeat Arkestra delivered a great performance and impressive solo’s which lifted the senses. Their jazz afro funk beats delighted the audience and received rapturous applause.
We then bounced from the Jason Rae stage past the drum workshop which was now pounding out beats. These followed us up the field the sound died out as we reached the top. Various stalls fringed the route towards the Green Man stage some nestled together forming a courtyard and invited people to take refreshments others offered goods for sale or activities for children. Most of the tents and stalls suffered the ravages of the wind. Strong gusts whipped up half empty cups and anything and everything that wasn’t held down. As we walked towards the big Green Man stage, the clear voices of a young band replaced the whoosh of the wind.
The Blind Hearts are a good looking band of young men. They played and sung with great clarity, each band member tantalised the audience with crisp sounds that wove and threaded through each other. Their rich tapestries of sounds are contemporary and have influences from the blues. After their set ended we eagerly set up an interview with the band. Finding a quiet place for us to talk is down to luck more than management. Even though the stage closed for a while after each band had finished playing other activities started up and secluded areas either had a generator bubbling away in the background or wind rustling through the trees and hedges. Fortunately the Blind Hearts were unaware of this and chatted easily (see film clips below).
As the evening started to draw in the Limetree took on a new look. We called for a cuppa at the Marvellous Tea Dance Co, a wooden hut decked out with charming cups and doilies. As we ordered under the candlelight Donna served the tea. She looked as pretty as a picture the pale light picked out her features just like a painting by Renoir. While we ate the delicious cakes and drank tea something stirred in the bushes. From the shadows emerged an eight foot high creature which glowed and made weird electronic noises. Excited children followed the creature as it passed by then stole away into the night.
Refreshed we returned to the Green Man stage where a great spectacle hit us. It was the Smoove and Turrel band with gorgeous big brash chunky music. What a combination where saxophone played riff after riff while the lead singer had a raunchy husky voice. They performed some favourites in a pleasing funky jazz style all of their own. The front of the stage was alive with people dancing, cheering and shrieking which blended with the wails from guitar and organ. Smoove and Turrel gave an outstanding performance, each instrument was vivid and like primary colours they contrasted yet complemented each other.
As we walked away orange yellow and green fluorescent batons shone out of the darkness and little and large, people spinning, creating patterns and light shows.
Near exhaustion the tent was now our much needed refuge. The forty winks that we promised ourselves and recharging the batteries were needed.
But just like the true professionals we are we dragged ourselves out of our warm tent and headed back to the main stage to listen to the James Taylor Quartet who played their hit music from the 70's television series ‘Starsky & Hutch’. They wowed the audience with slick rhythms each band member’s solo impressed and delighted. James on his wonderful Hammond Organ and as if we needed an added bonus James Taylor introduced us to Yvonne Yanney. Shimmering in a gold dress this delicate beauty graced the stage then she gave her all. Yvonne was a powerhouse her raunchy at times husky tones had the audience clapping and enjoying every moment.
Now we could head back to bed, thread our way through our neighbours tents and trip wire guy ropes and peacefully rest our heads brimful of beautiful music and rhythms that lullabied us to sleep.
Eve Winterburn
YGG
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