End of the Road Festival 2014

End of the Road Festival 2014

Possibly my favourite festival of the season this year. A real grown up feel to it with an intelligent and eclectic line up of bands, including astounding, established headliners and some innovative interesting new acts. The eateries provided irresistible, weight gaining and healthy options and the festival grounds were clean throughout the weekend. Even the toilets held no fear! 

The Bands

So let's cut to the chase! The main draw for me to any festival is always the music - and this year's three headliners were worth the festival ticket alone! 

St Vincent

St Vincent offered a visual feast from the get go - with robotic moves, eerily glo in the dark eyelids and flamboyant costume design. With her musical history including working with Polyphonic Spree, Sufjan Stephens and David Byrne her individual style and powerful vocals deserve their own arena.

http://ilovestvincent.com/

The Flaming Lips

Only my second Flaming Lips experience and I am totally hooked on Wayne's weird, psychedelic, surreal and beautifully romantic performance. The mindblowing aesthetics, pregnant pauses between songs and sincerely heartfelt dialogue with the audience all combine to produce something truly uplifting! Is this guy the happiest musician on the planet?

http://flaminglips.com/?frontpage=true

Wild Beasts

My current go-to band! I fell in love with their sound a few years ago when someone introduced me to the third album Smother. The duel vocals of Hayden Thorpe and Tom Flemming compliment each other perfectly. With Hayden's heartfelt falcetto and Tom's soft smoky tones, coupled with complex, intricately crafted lyrics focused on the darker side of relationships - according to Hayden their songs are about 'Fucking or Fighting". They were the perfect final headliners this weekend - and as always left me wanting more.

http://wild-beasts.co.uk/

As well as the glorious headliners EOTR offered some really interesting new music to explore.

Phox

Phox are a six piece alt indie band from Wisconsin. Described as making music that straddles Feist and Monty Python they were a real afternoon treat! 
http://phoxband.com/#Ly2KZLpreGXlJcdq.97

Arc Iris

Gorgeous harmonies with a beautifully layered sound, and the added resonance of cello tones.

http://www.arcirismusic.com/0g1v9rf9ieq7khw3diuhoj42hkfkia

Benjamin Clementine

A very compelling performer with echoes of Rufus Wainwright and Shirley Bassey. Weaving story telling into his songs in a shy endearing manner. 

https://www.facebook.com/benjaminclementine

We were also treated to an interesting mix of genre from established bands on the four main performance stages.

Perfume Genius

Tortured and heartbreaking lyrics with sweeping chords and an ethereal beauty telling 'uncommonly beautiful tales of life lived on the dark side'.

https://www.facebook.com/perfumegeniusofficial

British Sea Power

Appearing in the Big Top tent the loyal audience of branch waving fans joined in with all their favourite BSP anthems.
http://www.britishseapower.co.uk/

Adult Jazz

The second time I've seen this band this summer and I was still blown away by their unique sound and unusual vocals. Also really dramatic and enigmatic delivery.
https://www.facebook.com/adultjazz

The Black Lips

Self described as 'flower punk' the garage rock band from Atlanta had a huge following in the crowd.
http://black-lips.com/

Horse Thief 

I first caught this band performing a few months ago in a great little intimate performance in Rough Trade NYC. It was really good to see them bringing their  american harmonised folk to the tipi tent at eotr. 
http://www.horsethiefokc.com/

The Food

Yes the bands are the most important part of any festival for me...but the food comes a very close second. I have to start this by mentioning my favourite outletter this summer - The Roaming Rotisserie. Chicken has never tasted quite this heavenly. 

http://www.roamingrotisserie.co.uk/Home.html

http://www.thecurryshed.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/LGB01

http://www.theteastop.co.uk/

The Places 

The perfect place to gather at the end of everyday's festivaling - a roaring camp fire just by the cider bus.

The eotr post people really know how to party - sunday afternoon bopping in the forest.

And the guy who stole the limelight with his Kate Bush homage! 

I really enjoyed the Q&A session in the tipi tent - with Tom from Uncut talking to Sam Lee about the Nest Collective folk shows, foraging, dancing and singing.

http://thenestcollective.co.uk/

The ever present peacock on top of the Press tent - where the friendly, welcoming atmosphere really added to my weekend.

The comedy tent was hidden in the woods - and also provided a nice quiet spot in between acts to just chill.

The headliners stage! 

Another little hidden gem - the piano stage. Here hosting a quiz led by 'wheres my quiz'

Thanks eotr - the perfect end to summer. See you next year.

http://www.endoftheroadfestival.com/