Self-labelled as “Three Days Of Beats And Barminess”, and why not, the Beat Herder festival returns this weekend to the beautifully rural Ribble Valley in Lancashire. Now in its seventh year, this splendidly non-corporate and anachronistic shindig continues to buck the trend of its peers by completely selling out way in advance of the first beat being herded.

The organisers backgrounds originate from the northern underground party scene, and the festival shuns corporate sponsorship and funding and provides a heady mix of music and DJ sessions over three days. Expect a surprisingly unpretentious environment given the amount of creativity evident over this very special weekend. Aside from the music, the festival just oozes imagination and vision with everything from an array of sculptures created by the infamous Wrekon team, fusing aircraft parts with any old iron, to wandering Can-Can dancers (The marvellously monickered ‘Red Hot Frilly Knickers’), and a spray can littered graffiti area for those of a Banksy bent... and that's just for starters.

The site is simply stunning with each stage and scene shaping, and being shaped by, the beautiful Ribble Valley location. A perfect fit. At night the entire arena is an audio-visual treat. In an deliberately ironic nod to its Northern roots, the Beat-Herder Working Men’s Club will again feature everything from bingo to drag queens (by ‘eck), whilst the festival makes a show of presenting a feast of indigenous Lancashire fare…. with many the Eccles Cake carried aloft back down the M6 in pure wonderment.

As they say themselves: “The Beat-Herder Festival is the brainchild of six creative Yorkshire men who were tired of overcrowded and pretentious festivals that were overrun with the same big brands and corporate sponsors. After first establishing in 2006, the festival has grown year on year both in terms of capacity and line up, and yet crucially the atmosphere remains one that is intimate, charming and above all friendly.”

Musically, the festival features oodles of stages and creative areas, with a vibrant scene through ‘til 4am. Expect to see class acts like Orbital, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Utah Saints, James Holden, and Kraak & Smaak. (catch the Orbital vid below for a crowds eye view of why these headliners are so special live – I was there – It was buzzing – roll on Saturday night)

FFA’s tips – In a truly eclectic line-up, for something a little ‘off the wall’ as we certainly don’t say in Lancashire, try and catch The Revelator Band (Gothic Blues anyone?), or the marvellous whimsy of Biggles Wartime Band. Anyroadup, whatever your preferences, the Beat Herder line-up promises class for everyone.

FFA will be reporting from the festival over the weekend… if you are one of the lucky, lucky people with a Beat Herder ticket, we’ll see you there!

The Beat Herder Festival 29th June -1st July, Ribble Valley. Lancashire.

Full details HERE.

 

Article by Barrie Dimond