 Bunkfest 2006 - Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd September |
Set in the stunning Chilterns country town of Wallingford next to the Thames the Bunkfest was already in an ideal position but I hadn’t realised quite how big it was; even when I was reading the programme of events and what a choice. This festival is a packed with choice there’s so much going on –it’s all in quite a compact space without being overcrowded. Quite how they manage it, I have no idea… I put it down to the analytical programming mind of festival organiser Dave Newson.
For example… a bus service from the campsite to the festival site; late night sessions organised in the venue NEXT to the camp site – how fab is that! A programme that disseminates events information in different ways so everyone can understand it – Ingenious and then repeated opportunities to see acts potentially previously missed. This is a festival that will stand as a benchmark to others Then there were the acts themselves: …Vicki Swann and Jonny Dyer – two of the loveliest people you will meet who both play and sing stunning music and song. Vicki’s been touted as one of the best pipes players around and Jonny’s great accompaniment on rhythm guitar have made them a popular act at many festivals this year….Mawkin – unusual and energetic and all the things their folking.com review says…. Mary Jane – a great folk rock act that Darren the Folkmaster thoroughly enjoyed however from where I was sitting Jo Quinn’s singing was somewhat drowned out by the rest of the bands instruments… Shona Kipling and Damien O’Kane – awesome! ….Batanai Marimba – wow these guys got the room going - I’m sure it’s how religions start. Highly energetic, enthusiastic using incredible rhythms… Hoover the Dog – great name; unexpected but fantastic tunes – see Val’s review in the folking.com album section for more on these guys – tops! ….Cara Dillon – brilliant as ever. Really moving and powerful performance. Darren has also added that the Seth Lakeman band gave an electric performance and that he is hoping to have a clip or two from the festival up on the “You Tube” movie page shortly. Story Telling Fringe – I love storytelling and could sit and listen for hours (if my bum didn’t go numb) so I recommend sporadic visits to the Beer Festival Tent to keep your circulation moving…. Still want to try ‘Bad Elf’ after an evening and afternoon (not in co-existence or coherence) of drinking HobGoblin My recommendation for this sort of festival is to Mix and match different acts, don’t worry if you miss someone as they will most likely be on again somewhere later and save some energy for the late night session; which are lots of fun and laughter. Although I didn’t make the Saturday night session the folkmaster tells me that I missed another great set from Shona Kipling and Damien O’Kane and Vicki Swann and Jonny Dyer, the hula hoop girl and synchronised dancer were mesmerising and the bloke who strolled on to the dance floor like John Travolta swinging his jacket around his head was great entertainment, especially when he let go with precision timing to leave the rest of the room following its trajectory as it finally landed on some older chaps head with a beard who was in the middle of drinking a pint. A festival for all then! Well worth the camp in the windy conditions and the odd shower. There were loads of families there and it is a great town to wander around, especially as nothing’s too far away. A definite recommendation for next year. |