I’m always on the look-out for festivals that are more than simply a few bands playing in a field! Festivals that are quirky, with a great, friendly atmosphere and lots going on.
Electric Fields certainly seems to fit the bill!
First of all, the lineup is nice and eclectic!
Lineup
NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS / LEFTFIELD / JAMES / PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING / RIDE / THE HORRORS / HOLLIE COOK / DREAM WIFE / THE ORIELLES / HALO MAUD / FEET / MAKENESS / WOMENSAID / SCOPE /TEENAGE FANCLUB / YOUNG FATHERS / IDLEWILD / EZRA FURMAN / GHOSTPOET / THE CORAL / BAXTER DURY / IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE / SHAME / IDLES / LADY LESHURR / SUNFLOWER BEAN / STANLEY ODD / OUT LINES / MASTERSYSTEM / BLACK HONEY / MOXIE / SOLAREYE / CHARLIE BONES / NIGHTWAVE / FLAMINGODS / MICHAEL PEDERSEN / KEVIN WILLIAMSON / SOCCER MOMMY / LOKI / SALENA GODDEN / VICTORIA MCNULTY / ATHENS OF THE NORTH / ANU / THE VEGAN LEATHER / LEE CLARK / THE DUNTS / AVALANCHE PARTY / CRYSTAL / ST.MARTiiNS / CHUCHOTER / RASCALTON / SHAMBOLICS / LUCIA / PLEASURE POOL / SUPER INUIT / WUH OH / VIDA / HEAVY RAPIDS / CHURCH OF GOOD TIMES / DISKO SHIVA / TEESH / SOUL JAM / K4CIE / MISS WORLD / WASABI DISCO / NICK’S DRUM WORKSHOP / THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC / SNEAKY PETE’S DJS / NEU REEKIE!
Some tasters…
I’m personally particularly looking fwd to Baxter Dury who’s current album is amazing, if you like his dad’s music (Ian Dury in case you didn’t know / hadn’t guessed) then you need to check him out! Black Honey and Dream Wife always put on a good show.
Sneaky Pete’s DJs should be interesting, not to be confused with the Amazon show, Sneaky Pete’s is a legendary pub in Edinburgh. When I drank there in the late 80s the toilet door was literally off it’s hinges, and the walls were plaster and lath, but what it lacked in palatial features it more than made up for in atmosphere – many a happy night’s drinking in there, and their juke box was second to none! As is often the case, it was refurbished into a kind of theme pub with grave stones on the floor and bikes hanging from the ceiling, most of the regulars moved on and it lost it’s atmosphere, but in recent years it has reinvented itself as a gig venue, and from what I’ve heard it’s got it’s mojo back!
Image: Neelam Khan Vela
Photography
If you’re into photography, you’re in luck because whilst most festivals say “no photography” or “phone/small cameras only”, at Electric Fields you can bring your DSLR! From the info page: “Can I bring my DSLR camera? / You sure can, get snapping and send us any classic pics you take! If you are taking press-related photos, please contact our PR team in advance.” Obviously there are pros and cons to taking a DSLR to a festival – weather and dust can cause issues especially when you change lenses, and you can’t relax as much when you’ve got expensive equipment with you, but if you are prepared to take the risk, it can be a lot of fun too!
Facilities for the kids
Last year the festival was nominated for “Best Family Festival” at the UK Festival awards, and their “Our Kids Electric” returns bigger and better with a whole host of new entertainment and workshops and of course, the legendary adventure playground is a hop skip and a jump away!
Image: Neelam Khan Vela
Food
Food lovers can rejoice as Scotland’s best street food purveyors The Pitt will be back to deliver an awesome culinary experience at the festival. There also be specialist cocktails bars and our massive craft and ale bar returns with a wide selection on offer to quench your thirst.
Image: Cameron Brisbane
General
It takes place on August Thursday 30th, Friday 31st and Saturday 1st September (so you will have Sunday to recover!) at Drumlanrig Castle, Thornhill, Dumfries & Galloway DG3 4AQ which is approximately 90 minutes drive south of Glasgow / Edinburgh and 90 minutes north of Carlisle.
At time of writing you can grab weekend tickets for a very reasonable £115 (could easily cost you more than that to see 4-5 of these bands!) and you can even spread the payments over 4 months at just £32.63 per month. Thursday night bolt on is £45. Friday day tickets are sold out at time of writing, but Saturday tickets are currently available for £45.
Full Lineup details are on their website here.
Tickets are on sale now from www.electricfieldsfestival.com don’t miss out on your chance to join the last big party of the summer and experience three days of incredible music, brilliant food and great entertainment with an intimate, community atmosphere where everybody is welcome.
Main Image: Neelam Khan Vela
