'ALFRESCO FESTIVAL 2019'
Over the past 4 years Alfresco has built a reputation as an
elite UK festival which carries an unprecedented family atmosphere. The
festival has continued to grow in stature and production, and 2019 saw a
massive leap forward. At the end of May, the Alfresco crew returned to the
stunning backfields of the Hop Farm and yet again transformed the environment into
a world of magical dance music escapism. 8 stages and tents spread across the
field and into the woods welcomed unrivalled daytime entertainment and hosted
some of the world's best DJs. You could take your kids to the Panic Family
Circus or become a lyrical genius at Hip Hop karaoke in the day, and rave to
the likes of Erol Alkan, Justin Robertson, and Prins Thomas throughout the
night. With plenty of deserved coverage from DJ Mag, Mixmag and Resident
Advisor in the build-up, this year’s Alfresco carried a bigger buzz than ever
before. Here is how it all unfolded...
FRIDAY
The launch day saw major local involvement which positively
resulted in more Tunbridge Wells youngsters attending the festival than ever
before. Loose Joints have started to build a reputation for themselves
as the cream of the Tunbridge Wells DJ crop by hosting serious parties at the
best venues in the area. They controlled the vibes all day at the Shack
― an intimate space orchestrated for ravers who enjoy an outlandish range of
sounds. Surrounded by magnificent mosaic rugs and colourful lanterns hanging around
the thick woodland foliage, dancers raved to Loose Joints customary formidable
concoction of acid, house, disco, and UKG records including 'Disco's Revenge'
and 'Glasgow Salad'. Outside of the woods in the main field, several young,
local selectors occupied the line-up all day on the Monument stage — an
imposing Easter Island head DJ booth, surrounded by towering stone pillars,
evocative of a ritual ground for dance music. Rigopolar's rhythmic, bass-led party starter 'Start From Beginning' and Hammer's acid fantasy 'Hail Falls'
were two top picks that encouraged worship through dance and sunny, happy vibes
for all the youngsters.
Away from the locals, Edit Presents were hosting a
house and disco extravaganza on the woods main stage ― a mighty woodland paradise
packed out with lanterns, rugs and bunting hanging from the trees, mirror ball
mannequins, and more decor which added an explosion of colour and fun to the
lively home of hundreds of dancers. Furthermore, We Are The Sunset were
back with Andy Taylor, Mind Fair, and Nancy Noise providing their Balearic
vibes all day in the largest tent with the main bar ― the Attic. As the
sun began to sink below the horizon, the big guns of dance music entered the
fray, and festival-wonderers were spoilt for choice. From 20:30-22:30, James
Lavelle was shaking things up at the shack, switching between classic and
contemporary house such as 'I'll Be Your Friend', and 'Opus '. Elsewhere, bright
young talent Imogen was sending shockwaves around the pillars at the monument
stage with her skull wobbling, quirky electro sound, and disco don Joey Negro
was setting his normal high standards headlining the woods main stage. Joey's
set was packed full of his world-renowned house and disco re-edits. One
particular euphoric moment came when he finished on his magical re-touch of
Sister Sledge's 'Thinking Of You' which left the many who had gathered in the
woods begging for more.
As the disco clock struck 22:30, it was time for everyone
to immerse themselves in Alfresco's clubbing experience inside the 3 late night
dance tents. Each club tent possessed lights which spiralled to the beat, shooting multiple coloured lasers all around to the sweet sound of the Funktion
One systems. World Unknown boss Andy Blake was joined by French
wizard Ivan Smagghe to take us on a journey with their obscure, experimental
dancefloor treats, before long-time Alfresco friends Nein returned to rock
the floor. Label boss Neil Parnell aka Tronik Youth delivered an exhilarating 2
hour set to headline the Cowbell Radio dance tent with the Nein sound of
punchy, probing, synth-driven acid house and techno. Carnage in the dance tents
continued until 2am, before everyone flooded into the attic stage to make use
of the 5am bar license whilst Andy Taylor was playing his rare, radiant
rhythms. The weekend was well and truly underway.
SATURDAY
Saturday was a memorable day for anyone involved with the
festival. The sun was beating down, day tickets had sold out, and spirits were
soaring high. Party promoters Kerplunk lived up to the huge
responsibility of co-ordinating the music at the woods main stage on the
festival's busiest ever day. Their residents brewed up a buzzing atmosphere
from 12:00-15:00, before Alfresco main man Justin Robertson made his much-anticipated
appearance. He coolly continued the smooth house and jivey disco vibe that had
been set, and his selections joined together the Alfresco community of randoms,
family, friends, and 16 loop networkers in attendance. Justin stylishly
finished on Chilly's euro disco-rock belter 'For Your Love' before legend in
his own right and all round top guy Bill Brewster took over with more feel good
tunes in the tone of 'Nimele Bolo' before
switching the vibe half way through the set, unleashing some spacey synth
driven house weapons like 'Bomba'. The best drug you will ever find was
available for free, all day long here — a combination of love, laughter, and
dancing all around. Everyone coming together in that space strongly reiterated the
unprecedented family atmosphere that Alfresco is famous for.
The vibe had continued to grow throughout the day and by
6pm, the festival was on peak form. The woods were overflowing with ravers,
families were enjoying the many activities on offer such as the circus, and
hundreds of people were spilling out of the attic tent in the middle of the
field waiting for global internet sensation Marc Rebillet to make his first
ever festival appearance. The 'loop daddy', was armed with his incredible
voice, MIDI keyboard, trusty RC-505 loop station, and uncensored, free roaming
imagination. He made up a series of songs and skits on the spot about the most
insane topics including eye contact and festival hoes! One moment he would be
furiously head-banging whilst rocking the keys, the next, calm and grooving to
a slow funky loop; all the while spitting out some fine vocals to whatever
suited the mood of his musical masterclass. His personality was a great
addition to the Alfresco atmosphere on and off the stage as he was spotted
happily chatting away to festival goers, and entertaining photos with fans.
Body Talk hosted the powerful,
musical minds of Lena Willikens & Vladimir Ivkovic, who were sending
shockwaves around the shack from 18:00-21:00 with their alternative, eery
sounds dug up from deep, sonic lagoons. Ivkovic smirked, smoked his intricately
rolled cigarettes, and cunningly stroked his impressive beard whilst the crowd
descended into a hypnotic trance. The cowbell tent welcomed some amazing bands
across the whole day with Stash Magnetic, Jack Medley's emotional tribute,
Warmduscher, and Vox Low keeping a steady rhythm before it was time for
clubbing. Back in the woods, Kerplunk suitably rounded off a day they will
remember forever with Crazy P's remix of the wonderful 'We Are The People'
which sent everyone into the dance tents with big smiles on their faces, ready
to face the turbulent, high energy atmosphere. From 22:00-02:00 Man Power &
Erol Alkan caused sonic destruction on the cowbell tent dancefloor with
pulsating, melodic house and techno in the form of 'Spectrum' and 'Ecstacy Is On Maple Mountain', accompanied by protruding, purple laser beams. In the other night
club tent, Norwegian disco demi-god Prins Thomas was sending an alternative
vibe. He brought the Northern disco lights feel to the tent under control by
Oscillate, playing tunes such as Daphni's hot summer anthem 'Sizzling' and
Dominica's peak time belter 'Gotta Let You Go'.
SUNDAY
Although it was the last day, there was still so much to
look forward to. Sancho Panza were keeping things balearic at the attic,
with enchanting tunes such as 'Want You In My Soul' before major player Marc
Rebillet returned for a second awesome live performance. Moreover, Northern
techno enthusiasts Resonate welcomed an eye-catching line up at the
shack. Resident Finn Doc set a slow, progressive tone alongside Patterns regular
Charles Green, before experimental Mexican duo Zombies in Miami delivered their
deep, dark, dancefloor sounds directly from their synths and drum pad. Finally,
Dekmantel 2018's breakthrough star Identified Patient fired out relentless
energy to close. Forriner welcomed two of Japan's secret weapons - Chida
& Kuniyuki Takahashi to see out the woods main stage. This combination
oozed class. Kuniyuki showcased his insane talent as a live performer,
conjuring up some enchanting house on the keys which echoed awe and wonder.
After 2 hours he passed the torch to fellow Japanese friend and equally
phenomenal performer Chida; who gladly accepted the offering and kept the
magical vibe right up until the woods closed for another year. Towards the end
of his set, he unleashed Metro Area's 'Proton Candy' which was a real festival
highlight. Everyone who wasn't in the woods for Chida was cramming their way
into the cowbell tent to witness 2 Many DJs in action. They proved well worth
their merit, sending the biggest crowd of the weekend wild with their array of
party tunes including 'You Should Be Dancing'.
As the festival entered its final stages, Alfresco saved
some of the best until last. Maurice Fulton displayed his incredible 4 deck
mixing of dubby disco, funk, and soul samples on the attic stage from
22:00-00:00. An extra special moment came when he mixed the vocals of Soul II
Soul's timeless hit 'Back To Life' over a superb instrumental hip-hop break. Ransom
Note rebel Bawrut took over from 2 Many DJs in the cowbell tent from
00:00-02:00. He also demonstrated his impeccable skills as a DJ, using 4 decks
to mix house and techno samples including Floorplan's gritty remix of 'Feel The Same', and KH's 'Only Human' in and out of a bunch of other records simultaneously.
The Savage Disco crew of glorious disco DJs and magnificent drag queens smashed
the other dance tent to close it out, playing a range of disco classics and
party anthems including Depeche Mode's legendary 'Enjoy The Silence' to give
the festival's clubbing experience the close out it deserved. The last performance
of the weekend was a b2b served up by cowbell radio runner Ed Mahon &
Alfresco boss Mark Davis (Chinny). They surged through cowbell favourites such
as 'Power To The People', and of course 'Things That Dreams Are Made Of' to
close the weekend out in true Alfresco fashion.
Alfresco is getting bigger and better each year, while also
maintaining a striking family feel which makes the festival so special. Looking
forward, Alfresco is staying in the area, but returning to its former beautiful
home and first Kent love Colebrook Lakes on North Farm Industrial
Estate. Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area are so lucky to have this
sublime world of music & entertainment on the doorstep for one weekend
every year and we need to start spreading the word in order to keep the magic
alive. As an independent festival, it can be a tough ride, but if we all come
together and help, we can smooth out that ride by getting involved and getting
our tickets early to help push next year! The team have also set up an Indiegogo
crowd funder which allows you to donate as much as you can to support the
cause. If you love Alfresco, please reach out and help the festival to survive
and thrive in 2020 by following this link to donate, and this link to buy your festival tickets via Skiddle. Noah Archer also
put together a sensational after movie which captures the spirit of the
festival perfectly. You can watch that here. Until next time Alfresco!
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