….’Sound the bells! Razz the horns! Squeeze a spine-tingling aria out of the nearest burly Welshman! Festival No6 is back to delight us, entertain us and weird us out…
Back for the second year, and once again set in the jaw dropping splendour of Portmeirion, Festival No6 provides the perfect bookend to festival season. Widely regarded as last years finest boutique festival the event organisers appear to have done the sensible thing and kept the same format and variety as 2012.
The headliners are an impressive trio of acts with an eagerly anticipated performance from My Bloody Valentine and the Manics.
The irrepressible Nile Rogers is also set to bring a little disco swagger to North Wales. Jonny Marr, Tricky and I Am Kloot amongst others give the line up some solid, well-pedigreed class.
All well and good thus far but I think where the ‘Boutique Battle’ is won and lost is in the selection of emerging acts and this year, as with last, Festival No6 has come up trumps.
I left writing my preview till quite late on as there were a few acts I’d heard of but not seen but having caught several of the acts over the last couple of months I can confidently say we are in for a treat!
Jagwar Ma tore Glastonbury to pieces, Leanne La Havas has had a belting summer and is a sensation to watch live as are Neon Neon and Manchester’s very own Money. See these acts in intimate surroundings while you have the chance because I’ll be very surprised if the opportunity to do so is there next year.
Take all of the above, toss into the eclectic mix appearances from DBC Pierre, Caitlin Moran and John Cooper Clark along with sets from Everything Everything, Gypsies of Bohemia and, of course, the awesome, heart-squeezing Male Voice Choir.
Throw in real ale, great food, woodland walks, log fires and candle-lit processions and you have festival heaven! Oh My goodness, I didn’t even mention the porcelain toilets! Put that in your pipe, re-brand it and charge £10 for it V fest!
If you’ve got the time and you’ve got the money, go. You won’t regret it.
Tickets are £170 each and are available from the festival website – www.festivalnumber6.com
Picture courtesy of Mark Turner, with thanks.
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