Introducing Brownstock
As your principal guide to what rocks in the world of festivals, the chaps at Licklist Towers would like to prod you gently in the direction of this year's Brownstock Music Festival.
Designed and built by the Brown family, Brownstock takes the classic festival formula of compelling acts, food and fancy dress and gives it a neat and nimble twist. Fancy roaring "knight to rook seven" while you listen to the latest tunes? Well now you can play chess and rock out at the same time. Feel an irresistible urge to unleash your inner artist? Head to the art camp to indulge yourself. Want to chat all sotto voce to the chime of ice cubes and tinkling piano? Head to the Piano Bar for comedy, burlesque and a good old sing song…
See what we mean? This really is the renaissance man of the festival circuit….and it all takes place on a farm in Essex…
What's on?
OK, so you're probably wondering what would compel anybody to hit the countryside at the end of August. Well, as far as Licklist is concerned, it's a done deal. Consider the calibre of artist on display this year for kick offs. On the main stage you'll find hit rapper Professor Green headlining on Saturday night, with DJ Yoda and Scottish tunesmiths The Fratellis top of the bill on Friday and Sunday respectively.
It's that's not enough to whet your appetite, then you've plenty of options. There are 5 other places you can check out a roster of artists, ranging from full-on dance action in the Good Shed tent, to some good ol' country stomps in the Slippery Saddle Saloon…yeah, bet you weren't expecting that one!
Perhaps best of all is the 'local showcase' angle. A whole one thousand bands clamoured to play this festival and in the spirit of true democracy, the Brownstock guys created a Facebook app that meant that fans of the festival could vote for their favourites. The list was then whittled down to 100, and the final say given to The Fratellis and Yorkshire indie rockers The Pigeon Detectives. How about that for fan-led line-ups? If they'd only do that in Licklist's local, we’d never have to listen to karaoke again.
Get a steak in this
As with all festivals it's not just about the music. If you're anything like Licklist, then at some point all this roistering is going to leave you in need of something substantial to eat. Step forward the Brownstock Burger. Made from locally sourced Aberdeen Angus beef (the Brown family farm an Aberdeen Angus herd on their Essex lands), this is the perfect antidote to boxed burgers that have flown half-way round the planet before lodging on your plate. If a full sit-down affair is more the kind of thing you're looking for, then be sure to check out the Pop Up Restaurant that’s run by noted chef Jimmy Garcia. Here you can enjoy a three-course meal with all the gourmet attention that befits dishes such demi-boiled quail eggs and wild venison carpaccio…
Happy campers
Due to the thunderous success of Brownstock (sales are up one hundred percent on anything seen in the previous 9 years), this year sees them offer weekend camping tickets only – but you wanted to the complete experience anyway didn't you? Who wants to go home when the action is really hotting up? With that in mind, we're going to leave you now and crack on with our packing…with any luck we might see some of you there for a bop and burger combo. Now that's living….
Brownstock takes place between the 30th of August to the 1st of September at Morris Farm, Essex, CM3 6SG . For more information about ticketing and events, log on to http://www.brownstock.co.uk/