The Beautiful Days music festival, hosted and headlined by the awesome Levellers certainly provided what it promised, beautiful days of entertainment. Somewhere in the heart of Devon the rolling hills were strewn with tents.
 | | Selector |
Although the intermittent rain showers tried to dampen spirits, the sun did manage to break through and people were smiling as the rays shone down on Beautiful Days. This festival, on the doorstep of many Devonians, has an eclectic mix of hardcore hippy, glammed-up grungers and a fair few fairies to boot. Arriving late on Friday evening with subtle sounds drifting up to the Hayfield car park - it was time to head for the beer tent before Echo and the Bunnymen. I can't say I know much of their stuff, but the crowd seemed pretty pleased and the 80s fans around me were soon singing along. The coloured flags stood out on route to the Little Big Top with plenty of fire jugglers and two giant wicker figures silhouetted against the night sky. Dancing figures heralded a tempo change as the pulsing beats from the Dreadzone DJ set welcomed all late-night revellers to dance till nearly dawn, when my head hit the pillow. Saturday morning sunshine and the Tiny Tin Lady trio reminded the crowd of the night before by congratulating everyone who'd made it to their midday set as they admitted to struggling after a late session in the Little Big Top.
 | | Tin Tin Lady |
These three young women come highly recommended by folk aficionado Ralph McTell and played acoustically moving ballads blended with bewitching harmonics. The crowd doubled as the heavens opened and took shelter in the Big Top - but were moved to stay longer even after the rain had stopped. After filling up on fine food, Hugh Cornwall's nostalgic songs from his Strangler days set the picture for more reminiscing as the two be-spectacled brothers Craig and Charlie Reid, better known as the Proclaimers, stomped on stage and would have raised the roof - had there been one! I surprised myself with how many of their catchy songs I knew and was singing along to 'Letter from America', 'I'm on my Way' and 'Cap in Hand'!! I didn't stay for the grand finale (sorry boys) as a quick dash was needed to see old favourites Chumbawumba. I wasn't sure, at first, how the transition from their former 'big band' sound to this acoustic set, but it worked! They still sang old favourites; 'Homophobia', 'Nazi', 'Fade Away', and included a fitting tribute to Joe Strummer by playing their rendition of the Clash's 'Bank Robber'. Sunday's Demon Barber Roadshow was a mixture of musicians, dancers, swords and clogs - but you ain't seen nothing yet.
 | | Deep Sea Divers |
How about the Deep Sea Divers, playing on the festival fringe, a five-piece band wheeling a mobile trolley dressed in full scuba gear! Great underwater sounds as you walk from one stage to another, but obviously a tough act as they were spotted, sweating, wetsuits half off, down by the river. Storming onto the main stage were the brilliant three-piece Subgiant. This group had everyone up on their feet, making way for Selector. Pauline Black hasn't changed since the Ska band's early days. Her high energy was infectious as she belted out 'Three Minute Hero', 'Missing Words', 'Celebrate the Bullet' and the much loved 'On My Radio'. Just time for me to check out the usual selection of favourite festival stalls including Joe Banana's Blankets, Bubble Inc and Groovy Smoothies - there was even an Eco-Arcade, with table footie to boot! Sadly this year I could only watch the early preparations for this year's grand finale, the Masked Ball, which I can only imagine would have been a spectacular sight. Time to go home - the last one to leave Escot, switch out the lights! | 
