Standon Calling experience... Murderous!

Last weekend saw the 10th birthday of Standon Calling festival, where I was a lucky enough lass to volunteer at. The Standon experience was one of a kind - the festival describes itself as being boutique and prides itself by being non-profit, without a sponsorship brand in sight, hooray! Although the term 'boutique' could sound mildly pretentious, it was quite the opposite, possibly being one of the most intimate and friendly environments I've been a part of.

Located in Ware. Where?! (a very pretty little place in Hertfordshire), it is simply a diddly little get together that see's a few thousand from all over join together for the weekend. It really does cater for all, from children's face painting, to the til-6am-all-nighter parties. These weren't ordinary parties either, the one I found myself in on the Sunday was in a cow shed. Yes, really. But who likes ordinary anyway?

The fellow festival goers I had the priveledge of meeting were all lovely, there with the only intention to have fun, make friends and of course not forgetting to enjoy the amazing music on offer. A real mix of international stars to less well known, Standon is sure to nurture and be the first to host up-and-coming artists, for example Florence and her now very-popular machine. One of my many personal highlights was to see the Buena Vista Social Club band arrive at the festival. Most bands arrive backstage before their scheduled time, however the mainstage on Sunday evening learnt that BVSC do things differently - arriving in a bus, that drove striaght through the festival crowd, many of those chilling in the sun getting out the way and looking on in sheer awe. Nothing less I say!

Every year Standon has a fancy dress theme in which it is (almost) compulsory that everyone adhere's to. This year, the theme was 'Murder on the Standon Express' - which saw an array of amazing creative outfits, although my favourite had to be a group of men on a stag do ankle-chained together in orange jumpsuits! That and lots of fine young, strapping gentlemen, looking dapper in their very best detective outfits. Mmmm!

Working at a festival is very different from going as a guest, but equally just as much fun. The only downside is not having as much opportunity to grab photo's. What a way to celebrate a superb tenth birthday of a festival which has grown considerably (but not horribly like some!) from one with a few friends to what it is now.

Same time next year?

Yessiree :-)