In The Woods is the best festival the UK has to offer. ‘Bold statement’, I hear you cry. Well, let me explain. Not too long ago, back in the 70s to be specific, a little music festival named Glastonbury was bubbling away in the background. The hippies found a place where they could abstain from cleaning for a few days, and not be mercilessly judged by the rest of society. They felt right at home, and so did the music. Fast forward at least 20 years, and the belly of the corporate giant was rumbling, pound signs flashed in its eyes, and by 1996 we had a massive corporate fuck-fest named V Festival. With a name that represents one of the biggest companies in the world, and a crowd full of beer hurling wankers, festival culture seemed doomed and Bob Geldof thought “fuck political activism, I’m going into business with Bono”.
BUT, there is one little independent festival that quietly rules the roost, bubbling beneath the surface and refusing to be swallowed up into a world of meaningless shite. Step forth; In The Woods. I’ve been to the festival two years in a row (Fuck I practically own it). Last year saw the likes of AlunaGeorge, Stealing Sheep and Alt – J take the stage, all a testament to the festival’s capabilities when it comes to booking new and exciting acts. This year, yet again, the crowd were treated to a pretty stellar line up. Friday night saw Lianne La Havas take the stage in what was both a captivating performance and a return to the festival that had booked her before international tours were on the cards.
As dawn broke Saturday morning, festival goers were still reeling from Lianne’s performance, but also involved heavily in a game of Chinese whispers. In The Woods had revealed the entire line-up but one headline act, and the rumours were rife; at 3pm we heard Gabrielle was playing, and by 4pm The Wombles were making an appearance. In the build up to that, we managed to catch sets from Benin City, Kushi and Sivu on the main stage, all of which put in gutsy, charming performances for a crowd of people enjoying every minute. No pissing in plastic cups and throwing them on each other; these people were here for the music. Young Fathers were next up on the bill, a band of extremely talented young men who were a festival highlight for us. Their energy was palpable, and the crowd were well and truly soaking up everything these boys were willing to give, swaying under the trees as the bass sent waves of sound for miles. Fuck, this was pure, natural hedonism. It didn’t end there. Next we headed over to a set from London soul singer Kwabs, who was, to summarise; mind blowing. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a voice quite as soul-penetrating as this one. It goes right through you, you feel it when this guy sings.
It could have ended there and I would have been more than happy, but as the surprise act turned out to be Ghost Poet, I realised that In The Woods is the best festival you could experience. Rounding it all up with a dance in the silent disco, and a pretty decent sleep in a tent consumed with alcohol fumes, 2013’s festival season had reached its peak. Thankyou, In The Woods, until next year.
Check out some videos we took below.