11 August 2016 (gig)
20 August 2016
Boomtown Fair descended on the grassy hills of Winchester for its annual chapter of music, performance art and Madness (both the band and in the figurative sense).
This year’s festival entitled – The ‘Revolutions Starts Now’ wore its politics on its sleeve. The theme centred on a popular uprising against the Big Brother-esque ruler of Boomtown, Comrade Jose.
How a bunch of glittery, spangled festival-goers could ever take on an authoritarian regime after four days of cider and wet-wipes was never given much scrutiny.
Instead, attention was diverted to making the stages and sets as intricate and authentic as possible.
From the Aztec-inspired reggae amphitheatre of the Lion’s Den, to the South East Asian Bang Hai Palace, the amount of detail that went into creating the built environment was unparalleled.
Boomtown is a living, breathing world where visitors can rub shoulders with the aristocrats of Mayfair, be accosted by the steam-punk brigands of Old Town, or converse with cowboys in the Wild West.
Outliers and mainstream artists across the soundscapes of reggae, drum & bass and ‘vintage swing’ (whatever that is) helped create one of the most pleasant festival atmospheres around.
Parov Stelar, Damian Marley and Fat Freddy’s Drop were but a few notable ingredients in the Boomtown broth. The diversity of acts reflecting the cosmopolitan spirit that makes the Fair unique.
Talking of food - the gastronomic variety on offer (from ostrich burgers to shawarma) provided sustenance to revellers who would need all the energy they could get for the four day festival.
I’m proud to admit that I've now lost my Boomtown virginity and eagerly anticipate news of next year’s event.
