» Beachdown Festival
The inaugural Beachdown festival is just a few days away. Jeff Hemmings looks at what’s in store
The idea came from a stroll on Devil’s Dyke last summer according to one of the founders of Beachdown, Joe Pidgeon (responsible for founding Touch magazine, and with vast experience within the commercial sectors of the music industry) and along with Darren Murphy (ex-Inner Rhythm, the original dance music shop in the North Laine and now occupied by Ju Ju), and a suitable amount of financial backing, they concocted the idea of Brighton’s first ever proper music festival (if you exclude the old Essential festival which had no camping facilities).
Aiming for a boutique style event that caters for a more discerning and slightly older audience who want a festival close by and that features great music in relaxing surroundings along with decent food and drink, Beachdown has managed to secure a very impressive line-up that includes Gogol Bordello, Nouvelle Vague, The Magic Numbers, Roy Ayers, Roisin Murphy, De La Soul, A Certain Ratio, Reverend and the Makers, Terry Callier, Lightspeed Champion, The Maccabees and The Beat and Bonobo.
The Maccabees
There is also a very healthy Brighton musical presence with acts such as Brakes, Peggy Sue and the Pictures, Los Albertos, Gloria Cycles, Fat 45, Mountain Firework Company, Carnival Collective, 12 Stone Toddler and Drookit Dogs, demonstrating the wealth of musical talent that exists here. Amongst the three music stages planned there will be a dedicated Brighton stage featuring many of the above.
The Magic Numbers
There’s also plenty of DJ talent on offer with renowned names such as Don Letts, Mr Scruff, Andy Weatherall and Terry Hall rubbing shoulders with Brighton clubbing institutions such as Stick it On, Jazz Bop, Bust the Box and Roots Garden.
Beachdown is also about comedy, literature and spoken word, cabaret (hosted by Boogaloo Stu and Fake Bush), a kids area, theatre and a mind and body area.
The organisers have also decided that the festival should be as organic as possible with almost all suppliers local. Brighton and Sussex businesses such as Due South, Sussex Yeoman, Pintxo People and Infinity Foods will be supplying food and refreshments.
Situated on the South Downs near the Dyke, and with views down to the sea, Beachdown has a capacity of 11,000. Tickets are selling very fast, and only fourday tickets at £85 are available.
Beachdown, 22–25 August, www.beachdownfestival.com
