The term ‘Folk’ has come to mean a style of music, but even then, opinions are divided on what really is folk music. The origins of the word ‘folk’ comes from the old English ‘folc’ meaning common people. However, Common People in a Field lacks literation. And before we get hung up on the common, in common people, think of people with common values. Then we are getting closer to what Folk in a Field is all about. However, ‘People who share common values sharing a weekend in a field with music’ just isn’t catchy enough for any marketing department.
The Folk in a Field site is probably the most remote of all the festivals I’ve attended. My first visit was nine years ago when I got lost and resorted to driving along lanes with the windows open listening out for music and heading towards it. Thankfully the signage has improved, as has GPS.
First impressions were that this festival had not lost its friendly welcome, indeed the young lady I met at the gate, having found my press/photo pass, was extremely helpful even offering me backstage parking in case I need to unload my camera gear. That was above and beyond, but a gesture I will remember for a long time.
As ever I took my time to wander, accidentally discovering The Glade, a new section where, had I been inclined, I could have availed myself of a sauna or gone for a splash in a hot tub. There was also a stage there where children could perform.
The main trade area was full to the brim with a wide variety of stalls selling all sorts of tempting festival things. These were cleverly placed around an open sided marquee where you could sit or eat or chat or just chill. The Pallett Stage would liven things up as the acts came and went. It was in this area later that I was approached by a gentleman asking how you go about becoming a festival photographer. We chatted for a while about cameras and stuff, but the interaction underlined the overall friendliness of the place – total strangers walking across a field happy to stop and have a chat.
There was music of course, and plenty of it. The most obvious stage is the Pallet Stage, it’s right there as you walk through the gate. This stage featured an eclectic mix of performers in including Tueplo Lime – an alt-country three piece rock band who really deserved a bigger crowd. It also featured Ethan a young 12 year old DJ who had the crowd dancing. On Saturday the headline act saw an energetic performance from Bonfire Radicals.
I discovered the Boat Stage by accident, a wonderful shack in the woods with a large porch and a large, upturned boat acting as a roof. Sadly, I only discover this after all the performances had finished – notes for next year’s visit.
Inevitably I was drawn to the main stage and caught The Carrivick Sisters and Kieran Towers, these folk were playin’ bluegrass which was just so right surrounded by the trees and ferns, a little bit warmer and with some shallow water and it could have been the everglades.
I often bemoan the lack of protest song writers in this age of formulaic tunes and corporate promotion machines, and don’t get me started on social media! Where are the Bob Dylans and the Pete Seagers I frequently ask. Where are the people writing about modern-day injustices, the politically savvy, woke-free troubadours. And then I listen to Steve Knightly and realise that the great tradition of protest songs lives on. Not in an in-your-face, screaming at full volume, ten second tiktok sort of way but in the subtle lyrics sung so softly that you need to listen. Seek out Steve Knightly’s ‘Country Life’, ‘Transactions’ or ‘Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed’ if you have a mind to. Somehow, sung solo on that stage in the woods the lyrics left a lasting impression, not least because Steve is an accomplished entertainer as well as a gifted songsmith.
Earlier in the car park I noticed a gentleman whom I was sure I knew but couldn’t quite place. His beard and white second-hand dungarees were quite distinctive, but I am never good at recognising faces out of context. Hang on, he’s on stage with a band, with his mandolin, and I was even more confused. I now recognised him as Hippy Joe from Hayseed Dixie but here he was playing with the six piece Dr Bluegrass and the Illbilly Eight, musicians far more suited to playing than counting band members! Time to sit back, listen and enjoy – OK, that was that Money for Nothing they were playing? Yep. And they finished with a bluegrass version of Highway to Hell.
Next up were the first contenders in the days ‘who travelled furthest’ to play. Project Smok’s Andi Levack started his journey today in Inverness picking up the rest of the band in Glasgow en route, a tidy 800 mile drive or so. I had thought that this band was new to me, but I was wrong. Although I didn’t make the connection until they played ‘1984’ I have been listening to this trio thanks to Spotiy’s algorithms whilst editing images. Another first for me, a band playing corduroy bagpipes.
Baskery arrived from playing Nibe Festival in Denmark the day before – that’s about 750 miles as the crow flies – the team deciding on who won the furthest journey trophy would be up late deliberating and checking taco-graph logs! I have seen Baskery many times over the years and they never disappoint – the three sisters just keep getting better. Sunniva’s guitar work wonderful to watch and listen to – Down by The River was classic alt-rock-folk-woodstock and you could tell she was loving it. How did I not know they had released an album of Neil Young songs?
Incidentally, kudos to the sound engineer on the main stage for playing Flogging Molly as Baskery set up. It started me thinking of fantasy double headline gigs I’d love to see…
Mad Dog Macrae kept the tempo up with, among others, a lively rendition of ‘The Raggle Taggle Gypsey’. An accomplished set of musicians who are so comfortable with their music that they don’t have a set list.
Winding up Saturday on the main stage was Gaz Brookfield and the Company of Thieves. Based in the West Country, this award-winning young songwriter writes modern folk songs in the shouty-rock-n-roll-punk in your face kinda way. Despite the raucous delivery, the lyrics speak volumnes.
As a festival photographer I have the privilege of being closer to the bands than the public get – the general vibe around and behind the stage was that this was a very friendly festival – Andi Levack the man who drove 800 miles to be on stage summed it up “It was so worth the journey”.
I was there for just one day out of three and so wish I had arranged to be there longer. I admire the people who are mad enough to make festivals happen. Whilst most organisers will tell you that they couldn’t do it without a big team helping them – the corollary is that that big team needs someone brave enough to have the idea and to make it happen. Folk in a Field gained significant recognition this year finishing runners up at the Norfolk Rural Business Awards.
If you fancy meeting some like-minded people in a field next year, save the date: Folk in a Field 2nd to 5th July 2026. Earlybird Tickets available here.
