What’s so great about a festival anyway?
As we enter festival season,
I’m sure there are plenty of people asking that question, people who have never
been to one. Let’s see if we can answer
the question. A festival has lots of
artistes performing. Yeah, that sounds
like a very simplistic answer, but it does go straight to the heart of what is
so good! You know when you got to a
regular concert, get there early and catch the support act – maybe someone you’ve
never seen before but they knock your socks off? That’s what happens at a festival, but
multiplied by…lots! Multiple stages
means a real choice of who you see and when, maybe new bands, maybe a band you
haven’t seen play with a full line up, maybe a slightly different type of music. And then there are the headliners, rocking
the stages, and the parties, and, and, and…
What’s so great about Buckle and Boots anyway?
Now, not being a big
festival goer, I can only go by what I have found at this one event…although
this year was my third year attending.
2017 I popped down for a day, 2018 I came with Francesca as bar crew but
ended up supporting a stage, 2019 Silverball Country were invited to manage a
stage as well as providing support elsewhere (did you see Francesca popping up pretty much everywhere?)
What about the actual music? Spread over two stages, the music starts on
Friday evening on the main/Barn stage, with the Paddock stage joining the fun
on Saturday morning. Don’t be misled by
the paddock stage, while it gets a big proportion of new artistes it also plays
host to rocking party bands (I’m looking at you Gasoline & Matches) as well as two amazing songwriters rounds
which feature the main stage headliners stripped right back to acoustic and the
awesome Sunday service which is a great way of recharging your batteries after
a heavy Saturday!
It would be almost
impossible to sum up the whole festival in one post, so here are some personal highlights…
Jumping into the taxi with
the very humble Lewis Brice to help
settle him in, and then seeing him at the bar, on stage doing an incredible
first night headline set, introducing him on stage and grabbing quite a few
selfies
Being able to be the compere
for a band who have become close personal friends – that’s a really special
moment and a privilege
Sharing the excitement when Alan Finlan finished his set. Alan is relatively new to the scene but has a
big future. He was around site all weekend
and is a great guy – he is also a great singer. He was clearly buzzing when he finished
his set, where he had blown the roof off the paddock stage, and to be able to congratulate
him and get a sweaty hug was very cool!
The whole weekend catching
up with old friends and making new ones – seeing the wonderful family that is
the Jessica Lynn Band again was a
blessing
Running between stages, in
time to catch Kezia Gill perform a
very emotional “Local Man’s Star” –
yes, those were tears in my eyes!
I could go on – but each of
these things is a reason to attend Buckle and Boots, or any Country festival. Maybe its best to ask Francesca to sum up
with her experiences
Buckle
& Boots is a great festival for any music lover to attend, how can I say
this? That's easy, read any review or talk to the bar staff - for many of the
volunteers this isn't their chosen genre of music but the great performances
they hear over the weekend and the atmosphere has slowly started to change
their opinions.
I
experience the festival from a very different angle than most; I actually
get to play a small part in helping make sure everything runs smoothly to
ensure you have the best time possible (yes, somebody has to ensure that the
bins placed around the site so you can dispose of your rubbish as well as serving
drinks); I have gotten to know the Hancock family and I receive a great
deal of respect from both attendees and the performers but probably best of all
I am always granted an unobstructed view of the main stage - yes I'm the one
normally hanging off the gate or sitting on the edge of the bar. 
As
festivals go, Buckle and Boots is definitely family friendly - you are more
than welcome to bring along your children and your pets but it goes far beyond
that. Paying attendees are willing to lend a hand, old friends become
reacquainted and new friends are quickly made. I personally couldn't make it
through the weekend without Man BBQ
and I'm thankfully that my colleagues support me in jumping on and off the bar
to catch acts, carry out interviews and take photographs for Silverball
Country.
This year I have to give special thanks to Wayne
Hadlow who helped move a 22 keg of dark fruits with a little bit of
persuasion and to Alan Finlan who came to my rescue on the
Rev's Revenge. Alan might be an experienced bartender but he was there to
perform, he's a lovely friendly guy and I'm totally gutted I missed his set but
hope to see him perform at another festival soon. Big shout out for the scouts
and sorry for scaring you with my sprint finish line manoeuvre on the mobility
scooter, but come on folks what other festival has the resource for someone
else to pitch your tent unless you are glamping!
In
terms of music, my friends Gasoline and
Matches gave an amazing performance; Backwoods
Creek were on fire and the International Round had me in stitches. I never
expected to hear Shania Twain but thank you to Brett Kissel's band and I'm a little in love as Lewis Brice gives the best hugs
ever.
The
lack of sleep was totally worth it and I look forward to seeing you all next
year x
What
more can we say?
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