Big Chill festival 2006

  The 2006 Big Chill Gang

I was a little worried that the novelty value and expectation of this year’s Big Chill festival at Eastnor Castle may have worn off but 2006 was the best I have attended…every year seems to get more enjoyable. J

Just arriving made me remember what a stunning and completely unique location this is and why I think no other festival can surpass it, the valley which hosts the main festival site is just an incredible sight as you walk down the hillside. It’s also reasonably civilised with SHOWERS, I mean hot running water showers and excellent food! it’s the little touches you appreciate and maybe I’m just..well …..not as rock n roll as I used to be. Naturally we had a few fuck-ups; notably Nick lending Rod a tent without tent poles..I thought this was hysterical until I realised Rod would having to share with me.  In truth none of this mattered. We were all out for fun and nothing was gonna stop us.

   Rocking down at Fat Tuesdays

  Tom, Nick Me and Rod

Did I see loads more music?Ur no..but definately alot more outdoor dancing at Fat Tuesday’s and Strongbow stage which was superb..I thought the Sunday afternoon set by Norman Jay was by the far the best DJ event, he kicked of proceeding with a blistering David Bowie’s Rebel rebel and the crowd went nuts for the next 90 minutes. Also saw Lily Allan on the second stage who was tops.

 Jose Gonzalez rocks the main stage- 

One of the other memorable musical highlights (well one a I can remember with any clarity) was Jose Gonzalez, a kind of afro looking Spanish guitar virtuso, strangely he is apparently Swedish, who really captured the laid back mood on the main stage on the Saturday afternoon. We took the opportuiity to drink alot of ales while listening to his husky earnest songs. 

I was exhausted for 5 days afterwards but it was worth it for the memories; a few of which are captured in random photo’s here.

Jose Gonzalez’s album is called ‘Veneer’

My Big Chill pictures on Flickr-  http://flickr.com/photos/43189089@N00/tags/big/

Other festival’s this summer worth a punt; Bestival ; http://www.bestival.net/