Big Green Cardigan hits the spot

In its fourth year and described as relaxed, chilled and intimate, not big or brash, the Big Green Cardigan festival held in early September delivered again. Siobhan O’Hanlon was there to drink it all in.

Set on a hillside at Cripps Corner, just 15 minutes from Hastings, this is as green as it gets, a beautiful setting. The late summer sun shines on the site each and every year as if guaranteed. The limited number of places – only 500 tickets are available – enhances the vibe and friendliness, yet everyone is able to enjoy it in their own right way.

The organisers’ emphasis is on good music. In a way the event is – how do the organisers put it? – old school showcasing new and known talent. The crowd genuinely listen to the music – it is a gathering place for music lovers, at which musical tastes of all kinds are catered for.

From soulful in the form of Hazel Philimore, to the emotive voice of young singer Jazz Morley, to the harmonics and percussive slapping of Sean De Burca, to the Eduardo Niebla Experience, featuring a guitar virtuoso from Spain, potent forces in flamenco jazz fusion.

Sika takes you on a journey from didgeridoo primordial sounds into altered states of consciousness, and then to New Age ambience provided by Myristica and the Mothership late into the night.

Rotait, two young musicians with a following in Brighton, create their own distinctive sound combining the use of drums and “dirty distorted cello” (I buy both CD’s instantly).

Just too many to mention explosive roots blues, skindie, fiery blends of Americana, country and punk and rock’n’ roll, musical boundaries are crossed into the world of folk, Celtic and country rock, rhythm, groove, satire, swing, Latin dance orchestra, a classical chamber music recital, smoky jazz club and drums inspired by the rhythms of west Africa, this festival has it all.

The toilet roll is soft, the loos are clean, the security is relaxed, there is nothing to secure. The food stalls offer everything from vegan noodles and curry at the loving hut to certified organic burgers to a chai and tea tent and cake!

Modernity Mark sets up his chess, pool and football tables for the visitors to his stall, soap carving for free at the art tent. I had a go and loved it.  Then in-between reflexology and Indian head massage, healing all on offer.

Musician Simon Shaw has played and, loving the vibe, buys a tent to stay the night and ends up playing a session with two other bands on the Sunday as the festival winds up with the Logan Wilson band.

You don’t want to leave, this is peace indeed, one woman says as she walks out, I feel like I’ve been on holiday for two weeks, and, yes, it does feel like that. I’m already looking forward to 2015, bring it on.

 

All photos by Roy Cano.

Big Green Cardigan

 

 

Also in: Music & Sound

« Tune-up Tuesdays
Ragged-trousered folk »