25 Jun 2011, Posted by admin in Georgie,Thoughts, No Comments. Tagged festival, music, The Fam
We Are The People
Words by Georgie
Without trying to sound like a pensioner on a bus, in this day and age you rarely hear of communities joining together for a common purpose – unless they’re on strike or angry. But there may still be hope for us yet.
Nozstock: The Hidden Valley is annual independent arts and music festival which has done exactly that. Hosted in a suitably nostalgic and rural location – Rowden Paddocks Farm near Bromyard, Herefordshire – this bad-boy was founded in 1998 at the home of the Nosworthy family, long-term residents of Bromyard. It has since grown with volunteer assistance to its current capacity of 5,000 people, and is now thought of as a leading family event boasting eight stages of eclectic, PG fun.
Although it might not instantly appeal to those looking for a more industrial, insomnia-fuelled festival, Nozstock certainly has its advantages for others who enjoy fine food, quality acts and intellect. Expect a plethora of international cuisine, from Japanese to Italian, and award-winning ice cream for dessert; comedy headliners for the discerning comic including the philosophy of Phil Kay and musical comedy from Abandoman; for those wanting a tipple (or two) there’s an abundance of home-grown bars to choose from. Take your pick of The Bearded Lady, or perhaps the Two-Headed Tongue, to get your lips around a local cider or Sex and the City-esque cocktail. To tap your feet to, the organisers have rustled up a real amalgamation – there really is something for everyone, from Vintage Trouble’s R&, to Alabama 3 who bring a slice of country, punk and techno to the table.
The theme of universality continues with an on-site kids area, theatre, ‘Healing Tent’, and even a cabaret and burlesque night. There’s not much they haven’t thought of. It may sound like Nozstock is trying to be all things to all men, but that would be missing the point – this being that it is indeed a rarity to come across an event that wants to cater for the masses, and opts out of cliques and exclusivity.
So leave that attitude at the door and grab the little ‘uns, and bask in a time when community really did matter.
