Boomtown Fair 2012: photos and features

Comments from urban75 featival goers
Matterley Estate, nr. Winchester, Hampshire, UK [map], 9th-12th Aug 2012

A ton of urban75 folks attended this year's Boomtown and contributed to a big discussion thread on the urban75 forums

It's a big thread (over 650 replies at time of posting), so here a few quotes.



I want to live in boomtown - ruffneck23

Isn't it great to be at a big festival that isn't getting day by day coverage in the Guardian and hasn't got Jo Whiley, Lauren Laverne and Mark Radcliffe swanning about interviewing celebs in a backstage VIP area? - editor

Not quite as debauched and weird as the late night area as Glastonbury (which it's perhaps closest in feel to), nor can it understandably match the sheer scale, depth and wonder of that behemoth, but it's a temptingly easy-going alternative. Couldn't think of a similar sized festival that's come close so far - tarannau

Wicked festival once again, despite being unceremoniously robbed blind on the first night, that couldn't detract from the overall awesomeness of the event. Best festival, best location, best company, all in all, top notch stuff - eastender

Sunburnt to absolute fuck and pretty much broken but it was a right larf, brilliant stuff. So many lovely people to spend time with. My show highlights were the Slackers and Arcadia. I love that it's small enough that you can keep bumping into folk you know - Dooby



Arcadia really blew me away, also really enjoyed dancing to some swing bands, sicknote, ska stuff.... The woods were a pleasant escape from that massive ball of fire in the sky.

I managed to avoid sunburn, which was pretty impressive for such a pale bitch as me. I loved being in a crowd of people (and people watching, pint in hand in the shade...and seeing so many freaks and nutters all united in a love for music, dancing, getting munted, eating yummy food and generally being all round good eggs) Watching people completely lose themselves in their own fun and always being able to spot someone much, much more twatfaced than me was reassuring at times - Clair De Lune

Wicked festival, was great to see how much work had gone in to building everything. Some really good music all round but the highlight for me was the Uk Garage stage, played three sets and got an amazing reaction every time.

To me it seemed like the organizers got the balance just right between control and safety vs chaos and fun. I never felt unsafe or like I couldn't do what I wanted but didn't feel overwhelmed by security guards and pointless rules - jamessedgewick



Best festival in the world ever! Mushroom clouds, dragon, bull, aerobics , gramophone disco, ARCADIA!!!, Chris Liberator & D.A.V.E. the Drummer, lots and lots of lovely, happy people - mation

Fantastic location. Great choice of music. Hardly any big bands (so people come for the festival and not to see their fave enormo band). Lots of small fun things going on. Barely any Bestival-type wacky dress-up sorts. Goes on till 4am. Low key security. Feels like it's "your" festival. No sponsors. Amazing visuals. Loads of urbanites. Local ales and ciders. Great food selection. No awful Hog Roast corporate vans. No poi. It's a bit like early Glastonbury. And that's a veh good thing - editor

maaaaaan crazy festy, bang on in so many respects and so many touches and detail way beyond decoration so big up the production and other crews! Proper quality music and performers everywhere in loads of fun and funny venues, you could plainly see the artists loving it too which always helps - ddraig

well run but still wonderfully scuzzy - Tort

Read the full discussion thread here: Boomtown 2012




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