Nozstock: The Hidden Valley 2017: a festival how it used to be

For the 19th year running, the place to spend your penultimate July weekend (Friday the 21st-Sunday 23rd) should be Nozstock festival. With so many festivals these days demanding attention with their top 20 line ups and claustrophobic atmospheres, Nozstock is truly a breath of fresh air. Pitched across a sprawling Herefordshire farm estate billed ‘the hidden valley’, the family run festival has a charming intimate energy that sets it apart from other festivals. With a theme this year of ‘keepin it surreal’ the hidden valley will have you far removed from normal life and immersed in all your favourite dream esque incarnations. From melting clocks to magic roundabouts, prepare to be pulled through an experience you won’t forget. Expect rolling hills, a fun loving crowd and a liberating line-up of music covering all your varied tastes from pop, ska, folk and house to drum and bass. Previous headliners have included Jurassic 5, Craig Charles, The Proclaimers, Netsky and with the first wave of acts having just been released, I’m excited to say this year’s line-up will not be one to miss.

 

The Line-Up

This year’s big names caters well for parents and festival first-timers alike. Bringing the blues to Herefordshire all the way from the US, the broken guitar maestro Seasick Steve will be playing an intimate set. For all you 24 hour party people, Manchester legends The Happy Mondays will be flashing you back to the eighties with their impressive back catalogue of UK hits. Looking to fill that bassy void in your life; British electronic duo out of London Delta Heavy should have what you need. Award winning bass and remix master Krafty Kuts will be joined by Dynamite MC in a hard-hitting set for any electronic dance enthusiast. If you prefer a softer scene; folk all-star and general cult favourite Beans on Toast will be returning to the festival this year. General Levy’s raga jungle anthems will be making an appearance; expect the nineties dancehall sound and a crowd of worthy admirers. Joining General Levy, Mungo’s Hi Fi will be following Jamaican sound system tradition with their new innovative spin. Hip Hop has its place in the Hidden Valley in the form of Ocean Wisdom, a Camden born rapper recently praised as “the future of UK hip-hop” by Complex Magazine. With these acts, a list of DJs too long to mention it is safe to start getting excited now. But don’t forget that there are still more big names to be announced. Check the web page for more the full line-up and newly released acts (http://nozstock.com/line-up/)

 

What Else is Going On?

With so much going on musically, it is easy to forget that sometimes at festivals we all need some time out. Luckily Nozstock has you covered with an exciting line up of comedy acts and other daytime activities to fill your downtime. Check the website for more info.

Tickets are a click away

With a line-up that good don’t expect tickets to be floating around forever. Families and first timers get yourself on the website and guarantee yourself a weekend of stories you will be dining out on for decades.

 

Nozstock Festival is from the 21st-23rd July at Herefordshire, West Midlands; More information can be found at the homepage http://nozstock.com/

 

By Matt Bower