Standon Calling review
Sent in by Emma, 17
It's the debate of every summer; Reading? V-festival? Glastonbury? Which one is truly the best? Well, without a doubt, it was the festival sat upon the rolling fields of Standon in Hertfordshire.
Yes, you may argue that it is merely one tenth the size of Glastonbury! Surely nothing so small could compete? After all, this event was built from a small gathering on the manor over ten years ago. Kick-started by a barbeque for his 21st birthday, it included a few friends, a swimming pool and a couple of speakers. Now, ten years on, Standon Calling proudly stands tall and it certainly exuded the friendly and buzzing atmosphere it had promised. Not only was there choice of camping in luxury Tipis and Yurts, (I had never heard of the latter, but they looked amazingly comfortable!), but they even had showers worth queuing for in the morning.
Not once did I gag at the artistically painted toilets nor feel open to attack in the early morning trip to my tent. No, I have never experienced a festival so intimate and so safe that parents could swim in the pool (yes - a swimming pool!) with no fear of drunken burly men crushing their children in the shallow end, where lost mobile phones were returned by the public.
Every year, Standon calls for a theme and there is no limit to the imagination when it comes to costumes. As this year was 'Murder on the Standon Express', the dedicated organisers created themed buildings such as 'Sweeney Todd's Barber Shop', where the public could receive haircuts. At no other festival would you find 'The Abandoned Cinema' playing classics like 'Murder on the Orient Express' and modern films such as 'Fantastic Mr Fox' for the children.
Being so very original, I dressed as the evasive Miss Scarlet, along with my fellow board game characters. But many put me to shame. As I passed the fantastically lit Tree Bar, (literally a bar incorporated into a tree!) I passed the CSI team talking on a log and enjoying a skilful tune upon a randomly placed piano. Dodging some characters from a 1920's thriller playing football, I made my way past the ‘Chill Tent’, where I found 'dead bodies' spinning around in response to the beats of the main stage.
So, the verdict of the music? Well, within the small town of Standon, you can’t expect the likes of Whitney Houston. But with such a balanced assortment of headliners such as the electronic and electrifying performance from ‘Metronomy’ and lavishly soulful voice of ‘Alice Russell’, there was plenty of variety. ‘Etienne De Crecy’ hypnotised the crowd with his DJ show and flashing cube display. Yet we were in for a real treat when Alex, the host of Standon Calling Festival, introduced the ‘Buena Vista Social club’ on the final night. Their rich, lively music pulsed through the crowds, who were unable to resist the Cuban charm.
The ‘Magic Numbers’ smooth, earthly vocals and hippy style had the crowd, swarming to capture their live performance. But it was the ‘Book Club Boutique’, a circus shaped marquee (conveniently near my supermarket-bought tent) which got me dancing. With a mixture of local, rising stars, such as indie band ‘Maddox’ and an old school DJ, playing only the best 80’s tunes, I found myself cheering with almost every song.
Some may prefer the commercialised, popular music, found in the well-known giant festivals. Yet no other but Standon Calling finds the new talent of today. With the run-up to the event, the organisers ran ‘Road to Standon’, a competition where bands across the UK could compete with the chance to perform at the festival. The winners ‘We Used to Make Things’, opened the main-stage with an enthusiastic and kicking start. The showcase of talent continued with 'heritage arts company', creating a community theatre act within the festival, followed by 'Missing' posters really added to the mystery of the murder theme.
So, the argument continues for the best festival around. But I am proud to put forward Standon Calling as a certain contender. Not only does it exceed in its sheer variety of music, but it is the charming idiosyncrasies which makes this festival such an enjoyable experience. If you’re ever open to an intimate but overwhelmingly cultured event…Standon’s calling!