Friday 18th until Sunday 20th September 2009 @ The Amphitheatre, Bristol

This year saw the advent of a slightly different Bristol Festival, one which tried to break free of the shackles of “just another Bristol city centre festival” by trying an altogether different focus and mixed up the program to include cabaret, comedy and audio visuals.

Friday night was it for me: We had room to manoeuvre because the site was pretty quiet (perhaps more shouting about the Friday night should have been done) but this meant we had the chance to explore the Carnyville efforts (loved the show but I hate puppets!), the audio-visual spectacular, the fire displays and properly enjoy the beginnings of a fine weekend in the sunshine.

Saturday was manic with young things spread all over site lolling in the sunshine. If the council would allow it, because of the number of people there I would love to see the site increase in size. The current site feels crammed together and more space would allow room for the stages to gather more of an audience and the Silent Disco could really come into its own.

The weekends musical highlights had to be Chris Lucas and Twizzy; they are making big waves on the hip-hop scene and are possibly the only artists out there who don’t need to shout from the rooftops about how great they are, people just know! And Dr Meaker is always worth a mention.

The (not so) Secret Garden was a triumph and let an old timer like me rest my weary legs after hours of stomping and, as always, the massive interactive graffiti wall was a tremendous success. Watching people bob around to the sounds of The Detectives Of Perspective at the Silent Disco was a perfect way to end of a day of glorious sunshine and drinking before heading down to Rave-on-Avon; what could be better than one wristband getting you into ten venues? A big phat party mash up!

Sunday’s highlight was always going to be Babyhead and by that late stage in the proceedings, most people had managed to shake off their horrific hangovers in time for a bit of skanking at sunset. Winner!

www.thebristolfestival.org

Faye Westrop
Photos by Helen Collings