'Beat-Herder Festival diary: Nile Rodgers rocks the Ribble valley' diff viewer (0/1)

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Beat-Herder Festival diary: Nile Rodgers rocks the Ribble valley	Beat-Herder Festival diary: Nile Rodgers rocks the Ribble valley
2013-07-17 13:05:05 UTC	2013-09-29 08:26:22 UTC (2 months later)
Now in its seventh year, this unassuming little festival that grew out of the famous Toil Soundsystem free parties has succeeded in keeping its independent spirit, despite its reputation soaring year by year.	Now in its seventh year, this unassuming little festival that grew out of the famous Toil Soundsystem free parties has succeeded in keeping its independent spirit, despite its reputation soaring year by year.
As an added bonus the sun shone beautifully all weekend – very welcome after last year's catastrophic washout. That rain not only dampened the party spirit but hit the organisers hard. It took six weeks to restore the land to normal following the mud-bath, but the cleanup should only take 10 days this time around.	As an added bonus the sun shone beautifully all weekend – very welcome after last year's catastrophic washout. That rain not only dampened the party spirit but hit the organisers hard. It took six weeks to restore the land to normal following the mud-bath, but the cleanup should only take 10 days this time around.
"Last year the mud was catastrophic," explained one of the six Keighley-based organisers Nick Chambers. "But everyone pulled together and we battled through. This is obviously an outdoor event so we're aware of what can happen. Thankfully this year the weather was perfect."	"Last year the mud was catastrophic," explained one of the six Keighley-based organisers Nick Chambers. "But everyone pulled together and we battled through. This is obviously an outdoor event so we're aware of what can happen. Thankfully this year the weather was perfect."
Asked if being one of the only northern independent festivals gives Beat-Herder a special character he is cautious:	Asked if being one of the only northern independent festivals gives Beat-Herder a special character he is cautious:
"Recently the festival has become worldwide. We've got groups coming from Sweden, France, Germany and all over the south, including London and Cornwall."	"Recently the festival has become worldwide. We've got groups coming from Sweden, France, Germany and all over the south, including London and Cornwall."
"The core 3,000 that used to come to our free parties are mostly from Manchester or Blackburn postcodes, so I suppose they bring the northern charm and maybe there is a basic northern cheekiness there.	"The core 3,000 that used to come to our free parties are mostly from Manchester or Blackburn postcodes, so I suppose they bring the northern charm and maybe there is a basic northern cheekiness there.
"There's now 800 people with Beat-Herder tattoos, we call them lifers, so we've managed to build a hardcore that all get to know each other. There's connections everywhere!"	"There's now 800 people with Beat-Herder tattoos, we call them lifers, so we've managed to build a hardcore that all get to know each other. There's connections everywhere!"
This warm, friendly and fiercely independent spirit is something the temporary residents of Beat-Herdershire are famous for. The idea of the festival was born in the free parties Toil Soundsystem used to put on in the Dales and the Ribble Valley and Beat-Herder's first 3,000 punters are the same local ravers that used to trek into the hills listening out for the distant bass from Toil's huge subs.	This warm, friendly and fiercely independent spirit is something the temporary residents of Beat-Herdershire are famous for. The idea of the festival was born in the free parties Toil Soundsystem used to put on in the Dales and the Ribble Valley and Beat-Herder's first 3,000 punters are the same local ravers that used to trek into the hills listening out for the distant bass from Toil's huge subs.
The festival grew from that core audience by word of mouth: "If people are sound their mates are usually sound," explained Nick. "We went by that principle and managed to build a pretty lovely crowd. We hardly ever use any advertising still."	The festival grew from that core audience by word of mouth: "If people are sound their mates are usually sound," explained Nick. "We went by that principle and managed to build a pretty lovely crowd. We hardly ever use any advertising still."
Although the festival's reputation is growing by the year and headline acts have changed from Mr Motivator to Groove Armada the main attraction of Beat-Herder is still the people that go and their bonkers, irreverent and friendly attitude. I spoke to many over the weekend, from veterans and die-hards to newbies and festival virgins.	Although the festival's reputation is growing by the year and headline acts have changed from Mr Motivator to Groove Armada the main attraction of Beat-Herder is still the people that go and their bonkers, irreverent and friendly attitude. I spoke to many over the weekend, from veterans and die-hards to newbies and festival virgins.
Friday	Friday
The vast majority of people arrived late Friday morning and early afternoon as the site was closed on Thursday. A steady stream of excited sun-drenched herders stumbled through the small site to a campsite over the hill with a gorgeous view over the Ribble Valley.	The vast majority of people arrived late Friday morning and early afternoon as the site was closed on Thursday. A steady stream of excited sun-drenched herders stumbled through the small site to a campsite over the hill with a gorgeous view over the Ribble Valley.
It was obvious who had been before and who hadn't. The first-timers were rooted to the spot open-mouthed at the undulating Shire laid out before them while the veterans smiled in recognition and pulled them along. "We're going to wake up to this every morning," I heard an excited girl shout as she ran past with a wheelbarrow full of budget spirits.	It was obvious who had been before and who hadn't. The first-timers were rooted to the spot open-mouthed at the undulating Shire laid out before them while the veterans smiled in recognition and pulled them along. "We're going to wake up to this every morning," I heard an excited girl shout as she ran past with a wheelbarrow full of budget spirits.
After pitching up, calling in on different groups of friends scattered around the site and filling two-litre pop bottles with the first boozy concoctions we loped down into the woods to see Sheffield DJ, Arnivore, open the Toil Trees stage.	After pitching up, calling in on different groups of friends scattered around the site and filling two-litre pop bottles with the first boozy concoctions we loped down into the woods to see Sheffield DJ, Arnivore, open the Toil Trees stage.
The heart of the festival, the Toil Soundsystem powered Toil Trees area is set in a beautifully sun-dappled little wood. Arnivore's popular blend of ska, soul and breaks was a lovely way of opening the music and had the crowd of eager young uns bouncing through the trees. Three days of summery festival bliss seemed to be around the corner.	The heart of the festival, the Toil Soundsystem powered Toil Trees area is set in a beautifully sun-dappled little wood. Arnivore's popular blend of ska, soul and breaks was a lovely way of opening the music and had the crowd of eager young uns bouncing through the trees. Three days of summery festival bliss seemed to be around the corner.
We soon met Hayley, a hairdresser from Burnley, who became very excited that I had never been before, grabbed my hand, and dragged me through the woods to show me some of the secret parts of the winding streets of Beat-Herdershire.	We soon met Hayley, a hairdresser from Burnley, who became very excited that I had never been before, grabbed my hand, and dragged me through the woods to show me some of the secret parts of the winding streets of Beat-Herdershire.
She pointed out a phone box with a secret tunnel while searching excitedly for something called 'the box'. "The box could be anywhere," she explained, and careered around the woods dragging me behind her, her excited face becoming confused as 'the box' stubbornly refused to materialise.	She pointed out a phone box with a secret tunnel while searching excitedly for something called 'the box'. "The box could be anywhere," she explained, and careered around the woods dragging me behind her, her excited face becoming confused as 'the box' stubbornly refused to materialise.
"Well, you'll see it at some point, it's kind of like a box, but it changes..," and with that cryptic comment she skipped away into the church at the top of the path. I never bumped into 'the box' and everyone else's attempt at describing it became much like Hayley's, a box that moved around and could swallow you, that was meant for kids, but adults love it and has a mind of its own. Another example of Beat-Herder quirkiness 'the box' was one of the many added extras built in the wooded area. A church, a garage and a teleporting 'tunnel-Tardis' telephone box were only some of the hidden secrets up in the trees.	"Well, you'll see it at some point, it's kind of like a box, but it changes..," and with that cryptic comment she skipped away into the church at the top of the path. I never bumped into 'the box' and everyone else's attempt at describing it became much like Hayley's, a box that moved around and could swallow you, that was meant for kids, but adults love it and has a mind of its own. Another example of Beat-Herder quirkiness 'the box' was one of the many added extras built in the wooded area. A church, a garage and a teleporting 'tunnel-Tardis' telephone box were only some of the hidden secrets up in the trees.
Down in the main area a few hours later an excited and much older crowd were basking in front of the main stage watching disco heroes Chic and the legendary Nile Rodgers, dressed like a disco demi-god in white suit and beret, play their impressive collection of hits.	Down in the main area a few hours later an excited and much older crowd were basking in front of the main stage watching disco heroes Chic and the legendary Nile Rodgers, dressed like a disco demi-god in white suit and beret, play their impressive collection of hits.
'Le Freak' and 'Everybody Dance' got the crowd moving but the real treats came when Nile Rodgers played songs I had no idea he had written. 'I'm Coming Out', 'We are Family' and 'Like a Virgin' are more familiar as advert jingles and wedding songs these days but to see them played beautifully by the man who wrote them gave them a freshness I never thought possible.	'Le Freak' and 'Everybody Dance' got the crowd moving but the real treats came when Nile Rodgers played songs I had no idea he had written. 'I'm Coming Out', 'We are Family' and 'Like a Virgin' are more familiar as advert jingles and wedding songs these days but to see them played beautifully by the man who wrote them gave them a freshness I never thought possible.
I was lucky enough to speak to him after his show and he was disarmingly friendly, laughing and joking about a sound issue at the beginning of the set:	I was lucky enough to speak to him after his show and he was disarmingly friendly, laughing and joking about a sound issue at the beginning of the set:
"I loved the way the crowd stuck with us at the beginning when we took a while to get a line check, so when we got it together we were ready to kill," he explained.	"I loved the way the crowd stuck with us at the beginning when we took a while to get a line check, so when we got it together we were ready to kill," he explained.
"It's good playing in the north, I had a girlfriend who was raised in Sheffield and I visited her family there many times so I have happy memories of this part of the world."	"It's good playing in the north, I had a girlfriend who was raised in Sheffield and I visited her family there many times so I have happy memories of this part of the world."
Friday was rounded off by a hypnotic old breaks set from Groove Armada that weaved together some of their classics with old favourites such as '(I wanna give you) Devotion'. The party continued in the woods for another few hours with uplifting sets from Utah Saints but I would be lying if I said I remembered everything clearly from that point onwards. An exciting day drew to a close in a bleary fog of smiles and spinning trees.	Friday was rounded off by a hypnotic old breaks set from Groove Armada that weaved together some of their classics with old favourites such as '(I wanna give you) Devotion'. The party continued in the woods for another few hours with uplifting sets from Utah Saints but I would be lying if I said I remembered everything clearly from that point onwards. An exciting day drew to a close in a bleary fog of smiles and spinning trees.
Saturday	Saturday
Saturday started slowly. After a lot of pacing, many coffees and a life-saving chicken, mango and chickpea curry I was ready to maraud into another scorching Beat-Herder day.	Saturday started slowly. After a lot of pacing, many coffees and a life-saving chicken, mango and chickpea curry I was ready to maraud into another scorching Beat-Herder day.
Mountain of Love brought two founder members of Alabama 3 onto the main stage and they were oozingly cool in the stifling heat, playing their ever popular hit (and the Sopranos theme tune) 'Woke up this morning' to the melting mad-heads spread before them.	Mountain of Love brought two founder members of Alabama 3 onto the main stage and they were oozingly cool in the stifling heat, playing their ever popular hit (and the Sopranos theme tune) 'Woke up this morning' to the melting mad-heads spread before them.
While nodding away to this, leaning on a pole, a very unexpected thing happened. I had noticed three corseted, red-wig-wearing, burlesque-dressed ladies skipping around asking people questions. One of them came up to me and explained that she had signed up to a blind date service in the woods and was supposed to be meeting someone called John-Jo at the Lost Sign, do I know who he is?	While nodding away to this, leaning on a pole, a very unexpected thing happened. I had noticed three corseted, red-wig-wearing, burlesque-dressed ladies skipping around asking people questions. One of them came up to me and explained that she had signed up to a blind date service in the woods and was supposed to be meeting someone called John-Jo at the Lost Sign, do I know who he is?
Powered by cider and curry and steadily cooking in the heat I was unprepared for romance, but after jokingly suggesting I could be her date I was whisked off with the words 'if you date me you date my triplets'. I soon found myself happily promenading round the festival with three beautifully mad ladies from Halifax.	Powered by cider and curry and steadily cooking in the heat I was unprepared for romance, but after jokingly suggesting I could be her date I was whisked off with the words 'if you date me you date my triplets'. I soon found myself happily promenading round the festival with three beautifully mad ladies from Halifax.
Claire, Jen and Katie, also known as the 'Crystal Triplets', have been going to Beat-Herder for the past four years and treat it is as the highlight of the festival season. Dancing with them to the blissed-out tropical soundscapes of Banco de Gaia I met Claire and Katie's father jiving away with a big bottle of gin and juice, an example of the even spread of ages around found across the site.	Claire, Jen and Katie, also known as the 'Crystal Triplets', have been going to Beat-Herder for the past four years and treat it is as the highlight of the festival season. Dancing with them to the blissed-out tropical soundscapes of Banco de Gaia I met Claire and Katie's father jiving away with a big bottle of gin and juice, an example of the even spread of ages around found across the site.
In the fun and the sun it was hard to keep track of time and people and I unfortunately lost my new friends after venturing to the bar and overhearing someone trying to invite a transformer (I think it was Starscream) to a swingers party in their caravan. This kind of sordid and bizarre behaviour was becoming normal and comforting in the barmy land of Beat-Herder.	In the fun and the sun it was hard to keep track of time and people and I unfortunately lost my new friends after venturing to the bar and overhearing someone trying to invite a transformer (I think it was Starscream) to a swingers party in their caravan. This kind of sordid and bizarre behaviour was becoming normal and comforting in the barmy land of Beat-Herder.
Headlining the main stage on Saturday was the band I was probably most excited to see. The Angolan/Portuguese superstars Buraka Som Sistema play stomping Kuduro music mixed with heavy Cumbia basslines and have become a favourite in underground bass-loving club nights throughout the UK. The highlight of their solidly bouncy set was recent hit Hangover which managed to get a surprisingly quiet Saturday night crowd shrieking and stomping in unison.	Headlining the main stage on Saturday was the band I was probably most excited to see. The Angolan/Portuguese superstars Buraka Som Sistema play stomping Kuduro music mixed with heavy Cumbia basslines and have become a favourite in underground bass-loving club nights throughout the UK. The highlight of their solidly bouncy set was recent hit Hangover which managed to get a surprisingly quiet Saturday night crowd shrieking and stomping in unison.
Joao Barbosa and Kalaf Angelo, two of the founders of the band, were in a contemplative mood backstage after the gig. Tired from recent international dates they said they were still excited about playing a festival like Beat-Herder, but were concentrating on a documentary that is being filmed about the origins of the band and looking for new kinds of sounds to discover in the future.	Joao Barbosa and Kalaf Angelo, two of the founders of the band, were in a contemplative mood backstage after the gig. Tired from recent international dates they said they were still excited about playing a festival like Beat-Herder, but were concentrating on a documentary that is being filmed about the origins of the band and looking for new kinds of sounds to discover in the future.
"We want to start some kind of revolution, find new frequencies and new BPMs. The crowd here were great but you need to come and see how they dance in Angola," said Kalaf. "We tell that to people in Lisbon all the time, Angola is better."	"We want to start some kind of revolution, find new frequencies and new BPMs. The crowd here were great but you need to come and see how they dance in Angola," said Kalaf. "We tell that to people in Lisbon all the time, Angola is better."
Seeing as we were talking about home I tried to convince them that Sheffield has a good kuduro and baile funk scene and that they should come and play there but I was only met with bemused looks.	Seeing as we were talking about home I tried to convince them that Sheffield has a good kuduro and baile funk scene and that they should come and play there but I was only met with bemused looks.
The Saturday night of most festivals is supposed to be the most rowdy and is seen as the peak for many. This night was no exception as the crowds descended on a brand new area for Beat-Herder 2013.	The Saturday night of most festivals is supposed to be the most rowdy and is seen as the peak for many. This night was no exception as the crowds descended on a brand new area for Beat-Herder 2013.
A dedicated rave stronghold had been built in the field next to the main stage called The Fortress. A samurai-style medieval keep with balconies running round the sides and fire shooting out the battlements above, The Fortress hosted a phalanx of rave heroes that whipped the cramped crowd into a frenzy.	A dedicated rave stronghold had been built in the field next to the main stage called The Fortress. A samurai-style medieval keep with balconies running round the sides and fire shooting out the battlements above, The Fortress hosted a phalanx of rave heroes that whipped the cramped crowd into a frenzy.
Headlining this castle was Sheffield's Offmenut Records' bassline dons, Squire of Gothos and Phatworld, keeping the place frantic for the remaining few hours of Saturday night.	Headlining this castle was Sheffield's Offmenut Records' bassline dons, Squire of Gothos and Phatworld, keeping the place frantic for the remaining few hours of Saturday night.