Becki CrossleyAs a follow up to last week’s article on No Direction Home festival (which you can about read here) today One&Other take a look at End Of The Road festival.
Having attended Glastonbury, June 2012, a festival capacitating more people than some small towns, it was great to end the summer at the smaller, more intimate End Of The Road festival. As with every small festival there are no worries about how early to set off to a stage, whether or not you’ll get a good spot for your favourite act or where in the world you put your tent. Taking place on the 31 August – 2 September the festival seems a perfect and tranquil way to ease back into the real world with a much slower pace of indie/folk music, as the festival season comes to an end.
Situated in North Dorset, at the Larmer Tree Gardens the location provides a perfect backdrop full of Victorian history and extravagance to accompany a well-constructed collection of musicians and bands. The garden itself contains a collection of ornate buildings, Wonderland-esque forests and is home to several peacocks that are not shy to come greet festival go-ers.
The line-up this year continues to maintain the high standards that come with every year at End Of the Road. Big names such as Grizzly Bear, The Antlers, Villagers, First Aid Kit, Midlake and many up and coming names are part of this year’s line up. With four stages to choose from, the festival offers a large spectrum of live music to cater for all ears as well as a Cinema Tent and Comedy Stage, the line-up of which is to be announced nearer the time. Other highlight acts include; John Grant, The Low Anthem, Anna Calvi, Outfit, Peggy Sue and many more.
Though the line-up plays a huge part in the festival experience, EOTR’s well tailored visuals, art installations, areas and workshops all play a huge part in creating the serene and friendly atmosphere that makes you want to return the following year (if only to see what they could possibly come up with next!). From a Woodland Library filled with books you can take out one year and return the next, to a games enclosure and a 70s style dance floor in the woods, you are sure to have plenty to look at and get involved with in between enjoying your favourite bands with a pint in the sun.
Aiming to be a family-friendly festival, End of the Road offers workshops from circus tricks to story telling as well as a unique babysitting experience from Baby Boutique to entertain the younger festival go-ers for hours on end. Unlike many festivals EOTR also has hot (that’s right HOT) showers and a higher standard of cleanliness across all camping areas that you don’t often see at many larger festivals. If you’re as huge a fan of food as I am, you’ll be glad to know the festival offers a large variety of good quality festival food with quirky café’s and bars all within a reasonable festival price range.
At just £150 for an adult weekend ticket the price seems more than reasonable and comforting on the purse. If this still breaks the budget then why not volunteer at EOTR this year for an even cheaper price tag on what will no doubt be a priceless festival experience. Visit the website here to take a look at the full line-up, browse the gallery and to buy tickets.
