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Beat-herder Festival 3rd – 5th of July 2010

Beat-herder Festival 3rd – 5th of July 2010
There is something about festivals, whether it is the lack of sleep, excessive alcohol or constant beats going through your brain, they always leave me feeling somewhat disoriented. Beat-herder certainly didn’t let me down
Even though it is now 5 years old, Beat-herder has to be one of the smaller music festivals going. Described as 3 days of beats and barminess, the festival is limited to only 7,000 tickets, all of which sold out, helping to keep this one of Lancashire’s great secrets!
Set in the stunning Ribble Valley, with the campsite set into the hillside, Beat-herder has to get the award for best festival view. It’ll also get the award for the most eclectic mix of obscure activities, including The Cube (a 8ft maze cube), The Dairy room (A cow-esk diary room) and the pimpball (otherwise known as the place to chill out!)
Then there is the music and as the expression goes, variety is definitely the spice of life. Beatherder had it all on a variety of stages from the main Beat-herder stage, to The Beat-herder and District Working Men’s Club (yep, definitions in the name), John’s Snug (which was actually a living room) and Smoky Tentacles Shisha Lounge (where you could wile away the evening with your personal Shisha pipe).
I have personally never heard many of the bands and artists before, yet most were brilliant. One of the most memorable bands for me was Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers, who may actually be verging on madness, if it’s not genius! Why don’t you make your own mind up and listen to them yourselves here Land Hermit song. A bit of a taste of the lyrics and you’ll see where I’m coming from:
“If you see a shell moving on the shore
It might not be the gastropod you take it for
The land hermit crab has a very weak shell
So it lives in a shell where a snail used to dwell
(lives in a shell where a snail used to dwell)”
Words by Dean Murray
The biggest surprise of the weekend had to be the result of Mr Motivator bouncing out on to the main stage in his lycra glory, to a tremendous round of applause as everyone jumped to their feet, to bust a few aerobic style moves.
The weekend rounded nicely with other chilled out venue’s, my favourite being Beat-root café for a freshly pounded cup of Mint tea or the most delicious rocket salad pizza. Not forgetting, Weirdigans Café, for a light night cup of Lemon and Ginger tea or that slice of Peanut Butter toast for breakfast. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that make a great weekend.
At which time I start to realise the only way anyone will really understand what a brilliant event this is, would be to come yourselves in July 2011. Just remember to get your fancy dress sorted!
For more info check out the Beat-herder website.

Nigel