Over the Moon Festival

Leave your wellies at home and embrace the one-of-a-kind Over The Moon Festival

There has been a change in music festivals over the last few years. Festivals have now become a summer staple, taking the place of annual package holidays that in a time of recession many people can no longer afford. Your hairdresser no longer asks you “Got any holidays planned this year?” but instead is likely to ask whether you’re attending any festivals.

Mainstream festivals are now at the centre of popular culture, watched by millions on their TV sets at home. However, the coverage often revolves around big headliners, who turn up in luxury tour buses, play a set, and then leave: much of the heart and soul of what attracted people to festivals in the first place seems to have disintegrated.

You walk into any festival these days and it feels like you’re entering an enclosed ‘buy what we tell you to buy’ consumerist environment, with brand logo banners splashed all around the somewhat unnatural backdrop of a muddy field. And this development brings with it ‘The Festival Tourist’: somebody who would possibly never have dreamt of going to a festival 10 years ago, back when things were less commercial. Nowadays, celebrities can often be spotted at Glastonbury in their maxi dresses and designer wellies, but you won’t catch them sleeping in a tent like us normal folk. Oh no, darling!

They’ll have their luxury motor home on hand to seek cover as soon as there’s the slightest drop of rain!
Is this what festivals should be about? Whatever happened to the old-style festivals? They were all about great music, getting dirty, and not trying to make some sort of fashion statement.

Maybe there’s hope yet – Over The Moon is a three-day festival extravaganza that echoes the ethos of the original Glastonbury. Set in the fields and woodland of the tranquil Sussex Downs, and taking place from Friday 14th until Sunday 16th September 2012, this is a celebration of life expressed through the arts, where festival goers can enjoy a real sense of belonging with other like-minded enthusiasts, being able to break free, experience some madness, and have a magical time.

Over the Moon is an intimate festival that is all about the people, the community spirit and new forms of creative expression rather than sponsorship and profit. Overflowing with creativity, colour and magic, there is something to suit everyone with a family friendly atmosphere unlike any other. This festival places an emphasis on being a
non-corporate affair with a determined ethos to promote environmental awareness – it’s powered on solar energy, with supplementation from biodiesel. There is also an eco seminar space being curated by Billy Mauseth, the director of Brighton’s recently launched Eco-Technology Show.

The theme for this year’s Over the Moon Festival is ‘The Great Journey’, represented by installations and performances designed to kindle the wonders of the imagination, the mystery of dreams, and the excitement of adventure. Expect a heady mix of musical flavours across three stages, including performances from The Dub Pistols, Eat Static, Celt Islam, Roots Garden and The Kalakuta Millionaires. Get up to mischief in this wonderland environment, and take advantage
of the opportunity to participate in music lessons, bush-craft, stone-carving, blacksmithing and wood turning workshops, eco-awareness talks, yoga, tai-chi and reiki classes, or even get involved in flash-mob art installations.
You’re rather spoilt for choice with activities for all the family: staying awake for the whole three days is not recommended, but it’s about the only way you’ll experience everything on offer! Sock puppets, bottle top brooches, screen printing and mask decorating are just a few of the children’s workshops that take place, encouraging them to get creative, too. On the last day, a procession takes place where the children parade around dressed up, showing off everything they have made over the entire weekend, really adding to the family friendly vibe of the festival.

So this summer, why not embrace the magic of Over The Moon, and fall under its spell: you’ll find it impossible not to fall in love with this festival!

Over The Moon Festival, Friday
14 – Sunday 16 September 2012,
Buy your tickets now at www.overthemoonfestival.com