For most of us, the days between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve act out like an ill-advised Quantum Leap/Groundhog Day/Geordie Shore crossover. Or something. The same day over and over again, but sometimes you wake up in someone else’s body and YOU’RE TASHING ON WITH GAZ. BOOSH! Maybe that’s just my family, or maybe an already-poor analogy that just got stretched past breaking point.
Anyway. Decembers the 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th are an interchangeable, interminable no-mans land of almost partying. They form a helpful cordon keeping the noisy, bacchanalian blowout of New Year’s Eve from offending the staid sprouts’n’duracell sensibilities of your family Christmas Day.
Neither party nor buffet, they’re a chance to catch up in the pub for ‘classic banter’ with old school friends, or crack open a case of box sets and spend entire days almost entirely motionless, staring at Idris Elba’s face. And sometimes, these are great days. But more often, they are "where the hell is my life headed" days.
There is a third option.
This Saturday December 28th, Northumberland’s only alternative music festival, Out of the Trees, returns for its 9th incarnation.
"Festival?" You say? "In Northumberland? In December?"
Cast out your festive doubt. OOTTs organisers are some of the most seasoned pros in the area, and no ounce of their love, care and attention is spared in making it a completely unique festival. Included in your £12 ticket is a return bus from Newcastle Central Station to the beautiful village of Warkworth, where the festival is held across 3 indoor venues.
As ever, this year’s lineup is talented and eclectic, featuring Sky Larkin (pictured), Rivals, Richard Dawson (Yep, he of ‘Album of the Year’ fame in last week’s Sunday Times), Ajimal and Hannah D’Arcy, to name but a few (check the website[http://www.
Tickets are available from RPM Records (Newcastle), and best of all, all proceeds are donated to the The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Foundation and The British Red Cross Philippines Appeal.
Out of the Trees is a hidden gem that gets everything right - location, organisation, talent, and… good beer. If you’ve not experienced it yet, treat yourself to something different. Idris Elba can wait until you get back.
Words: Chris Stainthorpe
No comments:
Post a Comment