No matter how many wristbands you collect, there are some parts of a festival fans just can't reach.
Onstage, backstage, the artist areas - all of these are off limits to all but the luckiest (and most talented) among us.
Laura Doggett performed at Larmer Tree Festival recently, a snug event with a family feel. Taking a camera along for the ride, the rising popster took some intimate snaps to show another side of the festival experience.
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Intro
LARMER TREE. First things first... thank you! You usually get to a festival and are ushered in by staff who don't really care who you are, they just want to make sure you're not breaking any rules and you're not there for too long getting in anyone's way... Well this was a total contrast! EVERYONE was smiling - we proceeded to pass lots of security gates with lots of lovely people politely checking bags and wristbands - only to find the backstage main stage area which was totally delightful, and the peacocks thought so too. (There were PEACOCKS).
Playing on the Main Stage
Main Stage! I really felt the love, considering I was first act on, the crowd had filled the whole area sunbathing and chilling out. People joined to watch at the back and sat at the front, it was a really lovely audience who interacted and were ready to listen to the music. I did a Songs From The Shed session straight after my set (Playing 'Old Faces') and made John cry!!! Apparently he doesn't cry often... I feel very honoured. Thank you guys for inviting me into the wonderful shed, it was one of the highlights of the festival for me.
Bands I saw Seafret who, as always, touched everyones romantic souls. They supported me last year so it was great to watch them play to a pretty big crowd at Larmer and own it. By The Rivers were wicked, I've never seen them before - feel good vibes and catchy tunes for the main stage Saturday evening! I saw this incredible band Sunday afternoon - Diabel Cissokho - he sings in nine languages, world music vibes - the rhythm section blew my head off, so tight - they created the most ELECTRIC atmosphere and everyone was dancing and singing back and it was the most love I've ever felt in a space ever. I found a new artist Wesley Bennett - a beautiful voice, gorgeous songs.
Food
There were so many veggie and vegan food options with sustainable living being a real subject at the forefront of the festival. This made me sooooo happy to see, it added to the compassionate atmosphere of the festival as a whole.
What I did after
We drank wine and danced in "the social" (late night tent) - I thought I was incognito in my jeans but still, lots of people knew it was me (but everyone was LOVELY) so I was trying to be on best behaviour; there were loads of people from my old school and people who had phone interviewed me who I met which was lovely. Had fun hanging with Wesley Bennett for a wee bit Saturday night (black and white picture) and then watching them in Songs From The Shed session on Sunday. In the end, I found myself climbed up in a tree at 6am Saturday night / Sunday morning; hiding from rain, drinking Rioja... Lovely end to an awesome day/night. No pictures though, unfortunately, to back that one up! Just some hazy memories...
Thanks to the foot-patrol Dean, who was a saviour! And Ros especially was a sweetheart along with the stage manager Peter, who was very awesome at his job whilst remaining relaxed.
See you next year Larmer Tree x