For a festival that’s only in its second year, Strawberry Fields has already gained a very strong and loyal following. Held on the same weekend as major festivals such as the Reading and Leeds festivals, and Creamfields, it has a lot of competition. But for festival goers who prefer a smaller, more intimate weekend, as opposed to massive crowds, huge slogans and a half an hour walk from the campsite to the arena, Strawberry Fields is perfect. Held in the grounds of Cattows Farm in Heather, Leicestershire, in an actual strawberry field, the festival comprises of four stages, the main stage, the dance arena, the Strawberry Jam stage, and the Orange Tree lounge, each of them playing host to a wide range of high calibre music, spanning every genre and age range.
Friday saw the Strawberry Jam stage start proceedings, with highlights including performances from electronic indie band Symphony State (performing their first gig, history in the making...), two well established Leicester music scene stalwarts in the form of The Chairmen and By the Rivers, and a fantastic closing set from Charlie and the Martyrs that filled the crowd with anticipation for the coming weekend.
Saturday morning saw progressive math rockers These Furrows open the proceedings, their Strawberry Fields set sandwiched neatly in between playing the BBC introducing stage at Reading the day before, and Leeds the day after. Up and coming ethereal rock band The Fanclub followed, entrancing the audience with at equally delicate and intense indie style semi acoustic set. Masters in France got the growing crowd dancing with their infectious brand of dark synthy indie, before Scottish brit-rock influences Rock n’ Roll band Modern Faces brought a bit of northern swagger to the proceedings. Alice Golds wistful pop and the psychedelic styling’s of the moons got the crowd suitably warmed up for a blinding performance from Brighton hip hop newcomers Rizzle Kicks, followed by eclectic beatboxey genius from Beardyman. London based indie fore-runners the Mystery Jets closed off the main stage, playing a set of energetic crowd pleasers that ensured no one had a foot that wasn’t tapping. While all this was happening, revellers in the Dance Arena were treated to sets from some of the creme of the local dance music scene, including Kissy Sell Out, Young Break and Jaguar Skills, while the Strawberry Jam stage offered some of the best up and coming bands from all over the country, including highlights from The Headstarts, the Great Imitation and stage closers The Screening.
Blowing away the hangovers from the night before on the Sunday morning were Cardiff based “surf folk” band Under the Driftwood Tree, who opened the stage after original opener Luke Bingham pulled out due to illness. They definitely succeeded in getting a favourable reaction from the early comers, and next up Superevolver kept that energy going into mid afternoon, playing a lively set of alternative rock, and using their time on stage to bid farewell to bass player Tom Bradshaw, whom Strawberry Fields was to be his last show with the band. Nina Smiths delicate pop, the chirpy indie sounds of Kites and soulful rock n’ roll of Charly Coombes and The New Breed filled the rest of the afternoon with yet more dancing, and by the time Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly graced the stage, the crowd were more than ready. Boasting an incredibly devoted cult following, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly is the stage name of British emo-folk singer/songwriter Sam Duckworth, and, judging by the reception of the crowd here, he and his backing band have lived up to and surpassed the expectation of his fans. Chingfords finest indie rockers The Rifles followed, stirring the crowd up again after the slightly more down tempo Get Cape... but after firing out a set of energetic, heavily brit pop influenced anthems, the crowd were back on their feet, and baying in anticipation of the final act of the night, RnB diva Kelis. After a slight mishap with the DJ set up, Kelis launched into a set made up of hits from her 11 year long career, as well as her take on some modern dance hits, including cuts from LMFAO and David Guetta, ensuring not one still body in the crowd. Elsewhere, the Dance Arena played host to some more of the hottest dance DJs, including Logistics, Funkagenda, Nu:Tone, Pete Jordan and Dirtysecretz, while the Strawberry Jam stage showcased more of the headliners of tomorrow, with highlights including pop pun from Neon Sarcastic, spiky indie from Little Night Terrors, and self styled “UK Death Pop” from Fearless Vampire Killers.
As with any festival however, it’s not just about the music. Various stalls covering everything from vintage clothing to fresh strawberries to temporary tattoos provided plenty of distraction, while the two Orange Tree bars provided quiet places to relax with a drink (until the evening), interspersed with yet more live music from the likes of Herra Hidro, Megadub and Thee Pennyhangers over the course of the weekend. Add in the always entertaining Oxjam tent, with their top hat making workshop, pole dancing and Sunday afternoon appearance from the Biscuit Tin Sound System, a hilarious and innuendo riddled Victorian theatre, and an entire fairground into the mix, and you end up with a festival that totally lives up to the “end of summer party” that it promises.
Published on 30 August 2011 by ny89
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