Eve and I clambered out of our tent, recharged the camera’s batteries courtesy of the security people and their hut at the entrance to the field, and made our way to the festival fields in search of breakfast and much needed cups of tea.
After a little reconnaissance and walk we found ourselves listening and thrilled by Ben Barker and the Bob Birch Trio’s funky soulful music on the Main Green Man Stage. Another walk to the ancient stone circle where we enjoyed the Urban Gypsies African dancing before returning to listen to the Gillyflowers.
Necessary sustenance was sort from the Tibetan Café van as well as the Hot Potato stall, well complimented by the lovely beer from the main bar area.
Refreshed we listened to the exciting Ska of the Bradford Natural Rhythm Band who opened their set with a passionate and courageous call for unity against the backdrop of the ‘fascist’ march through Bradford City that had occurred the day before. Energised rhythms and sparkling harmonies and melody had the festival crowd dancing and cheering and even an outbreak of cold wet windy weather could not dampen the partying.
Time for another cup of tea and so a walk up the hill to the Marvellous Tea Dance Company where the best of tea could be enjoyed in the daintiest of cups.
Invigorated once more we sought out bands we had listened to and did a spot of video interviewing (see below).
Blustery squalls and wetness of weather found us sheltering in the friendly warmth of the Queerinspace Marquee where Terri Shaltiel’s soulful jazz vocals soothed us against the weather.
Then back to the main stage where Ska band The Selector were driving the crowd wild with wonderful rhythms and harmonies.
A thrilling throng of movement greeted Chunky Butt Funky as the band spun into funky soul voice. Then a wonderful group of people from Leeds known as the Voices of The Day Choir joined in with uplifting delicious harmonies and you could sense the emotionally elevating effect on the dancing cheering festival audience. The mood quietened as the festival song ‘Underneath the Limetree’ was sung by Matthew Yates in haunting voice and acoustic guitar an almost melancholy poignancy held in the air. Then the Voices of the Day joined and wrapped a caring optimistic harmonising warmth around the melody and very contemporary lyrics. The mood once more brightened and Chunky Butt Funky along with the ‘Voices of the Day’ sang the festival out in anthemic glory.
The festival crowd cheered and cheered and strangers hugged each other and for a brief moment the crowd held together like one big family in a caring cuddle.
Limetree is a wonderful and special place.
Andrew Sugden
YGG
Beautiful beautiful music enjoy these film clips from the Limetree Finale
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