Category: Music
It's no great secret that Wood Festival is one of my very favourite festivals… and even more so now that I have a child. WOOD is powered completely on renewable energy and is a great place to take little kids, winning a Silver Award from Festival Kidz last year.. I can't wait to take my toddler along to the 2014 edition. The main stage is hand-crafted out of oak and has a cheery thatch of flowers growing on its roof. Camping is super simple and small scale, perfect for frequent trips back to the tent with little ones. Even better, children aged 12 & under go free when accompanied by an adult. It's barely more than an hour outside of London and located in a beautiful field in the grounds of the wonderful Braziers Park (an alternative community).
This year has been heralded the YEAR OF THE BADGER, so guests are invited to indulge in some black and white striped attire! Each year it is hoped the festival will focus on a different wild animal from our fair isles. Naturally the festival will be highlighting the plight of badgers and sharing all things wonderful about badgers and their very important role in the countryside.
I have always discovered amazing new music at Wood Festival, as well as enjoying old favourites in an incredibly laid back setting. This year Luke Sital-Singh will headline the Friday night, chosen as one of the BBC’s Sound of 2014 artists. Born in New Malden and the youngest of three brothers, Luke Sital-Singh was encouraged to embrace music from a young age. He cites his influences as Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, but this takes nothing away from Luke's originality: The Guardian described him as “breathing life into a tired form.” With a hefty trio of EPs already released, Luke’s much anticipated debut album is expected in late Spring.
Also joining the line up: My Sad Captains, who have just released their 3rd album, Best of Times, on the excellent Bella Union label. And expect the sweet Welsh sounds of Valleyers, quality songwriting from Oxford’s My Crooked Teeth, Tape Club recording artist Sephine Lo, Brighton harpist and singer Ellie Ford, and jazzy world grooves from Natureboy. All of these will be joining an ever growing roster of already announced artists: Sweet Baboo, The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band, Alessi’s Ark, Jackie Oates, Oliver Wilde, O’Hooley & Tidow, Dancing Years, Nick Cope, Trevor Moss & Hannah-Lou, The Dreaming Spires, Vikesh Kapoor, Rachael Dadd, Trent Miller, Jack Day, Co-Pilgrim, Edd Keene, Nick Jonah Davis, Jali Fily Cissokho, Paul McClure, Count Drachma, Knights of Mentis, Julia Meijer, Art Theefe, Jordan O’Shea, Macamu, and the Oxford Ukuleles!
Weekend and day tickets have been frozen at last year’s prices (£75 for an adult weekend ticket, including camping) and are available now from the Wood Festival website and Truck Store, Oxford. Music starts at 6pm on the Friday, gates open at 3pm. Keep a watch on the website for a full list of workshops, activities and talks. You can read my review of last year's festival here.
