Alfresco 3 day Festival.....Thoughts and musings of a happy man
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I staggered up the slight incline, nodded to the first aid workers, security guys and took a final look at the graff’d up caravan Dusty’s 1717 Alliance had beautifully transformed over the weekend. As I walked on I glanced to my right and saw something that cemented in my mind why Mark Davis head honcho at Alfresco, deserves the praise and admiration from everyone that danced and partied this past weekend. While people in the main stage were being annihilated by Sean and Logan, Mark, the driving force behind this event, was asleep in his Alfresco painted Mazda, grabbing the slightest amount of rest available before resolving the next challenge when required....
Colebrook Lakes
I think it was fate that the original venue fell through to be honest. I can’t imagine the head-ache that must have caused but Colebrook Lakes is a truly stunning setting. The lakes, woods and overall space is perfect for a festival. I’ll be honest. Blink and you’ll miss it (I had to do a U-turn in Jewsons as I missed the meagre entrance to the site) but it really is a hidden gem. Plenty of room for motorhomes, tents, facilities and entertainment. In fact, I insist this should be the permanent home of Alfresco. Forever! Family Friendly
The kids were smiling, happy and content and running around the event without a care in the world. I’ve taken my kids to festivals before and in my experience happy kids make happy parents. Hula hoops and hay bales are an inspired addition to any event (festival promoters take note). Alongside the free entertainment that was provided throughout the weekend, the young ones had tonnes to do including an enormous Roller Disco. Add to this the very reasonably priced and massive selection of food I don’t think I saw one disgruntled human being the entire weekend. |
Now Mark will be the first person to say that it wasn’t just him that just deserves the praise, I couldn’t imagine the logistics and level of planning something like the Alfresco 3 Day Festival takes to get organised, ratified and off the ground but he has a phenomenal group of friends that supported him. Mark’s partner Nicky is a rock.Whenever I saw her she was smiling while making sure everyone was enjoying themselves. Ed Mahon, practically removed the soles of his boots while walking to and from various jobs that he was helping with. All of this while keeping the masses dancing when he kicked off the Armchair Sessions and then again in-between the live acts on Saturday. Nikki T was a dynamo helping behind the scenes with the refreshment and festival infrastructure without batting an eyelid. Finally to Dan Tranter and his Original Pop Up Festival Company, his team are amazing and ultra-professional. But enough of my musings ….
The Entertainment
The level of musical talent on show over the weekend was monumental, The Nein Igloo, Main Stage, We Are the Sunset Woodland and Armchair Sessions stage where perfectly separated. Not too far apart, each within a minute or two walk from each other, but no sound clash what-so-ever. I just wish I could have split myself in half so I could experience everyone that I wanted to see…alas I could not. |
Now I’ve been to a few festivals in my time and I can safely say that this one topped them all. The vibe was immense. Like-minded individuals enjoying themselves with no airs and graces, egos or attitude. We’re living in a rich and fruitful time musically my friends, people harp on about "the good ol` days of house music" and telling us all that "it’s not like it used to be" blah, blah, blah. Well that’s complete bollocks in my opinion. Tastes change. Music changes. That’s is its beauty. People move forward, reinvent and experiment. But enough of the platitudes, it’s been said before and will be articulated in a far more professional and meaningful way by other talented individuals in the days ahead……
Personal highlights for me were seeing the Scoundrels from Limerick, Eire and the Clandestino boys. Peza and Bird of Paradise literally bought the roof down in the igloo and that was just the Friday. Saturday I woke up to Martin Black’s set and finally heard Kirsty P live before Matthew Orrell and Mr Marc Hasler played the igloo. I met and danced to music’s best dressed man Timothy Clerkin aka Heretic (his live act is immense) before Days of Being Wild, Nancy Noise and The Emperor Machine blew my mind. Sunday was a blur but I remember dancing to Lizards before meeting up with James Hadfield of the band and being taught the “Disco Cruyff”. Ed Lee (you need to check this lad out) and the ever consistent Mr Jonah Considine sound tracked my early evening before Felix Dickinson closed the Woods. Reza Athar, Sean Johnston and Logan Fisher made me dance until my legs told me to pack up and get some rest.
Lastly but not lest to the people I spent time with, danced with, hugged, kissed and who helped a generally grumpy sod have the time of his life. You are as big a part of Alfresco’s success as the selectors that played the music we danced to.
You were outstanding!!!
Congratulations to all involved. You really did make this a very special weekend. To the people reading this who missed it I am sorry for your loss.
PS ….where is the ticket link to next year’s event because you can take my money now.
Big Love People x
Personal highlights for me were seeing the Scoundrels from Limerick, Eire and the Clandestino boys. Peza and Bird of Paradise literally bought the roof down in the igloo and that was just the Friday. Saturday I woke up to Martin Black’s set and finally heard Kirsty P live before Matthew Orrell and Mr Marc Hasler played the igloo. I met and danced to music’s best dressed man Timothy Clerkin aka Heretic (his live act is immense) before Days of Being Wild, Nancy Noise and The Emperor Machine blew my mind. Sunday was a blur but I remember dancing to Lizards before meeting up with James Hadfield of the band and being taught the “Disco Cruyff”. Ed Lee (you need to check this lad out) and the ever consistent Mr Jonah Considine sound tracked my early evening before Felix Dickinson closed the Woods. Reza Athar, Sean Johnston and Logan Fisher made me dance until my legs told me to pack up and get some rest.
Lastly but not lest to the people I spent time with, danced with, hugged, kissed and who helped a generally grumpy sod have the time of his life. You are as big a part of Alfresco’s success as the selectors that played the music we danced to.
You were outstanding!!!
Congratulations to all involved. You really did make this a very special weekend. To the people reading this who missed it I am sorry for your loss.
PS ….where is the ticket link to next year’s event because you can take my money now.
Big Love People x
