Blast

The sun has returned from its summer vacation in 'le Cloud' to grace the last Saturday of August.

At the main tent, the Rat Tash Crew are rapping their final chorus. I'm surprised to see the faces of my former college mates, Joel Brown and Tyrone Morgen.

Vowing to catch up with them later I cross the arena to the 'Mars Hotel' tent and take a seat on a haystack. 

Cosmic Joes

A technical hitch allows the main man on guitar to mop his brow and droopy moustache. 

The techie and a man in tie-dye exchange hideous jokes undeterred by the markedly still audience. 

The problem is finally solved and the band continues. The Cosmic Joe's 1970's country rock sound is tired and dispassionate. 

I eat my packed lunch and move on.

Miriam Davies

Mamienco

Mamienco, described on the board as 'Parisian Café Music' are the next band performing at the main tent. 

The four figures, all dressed in black, elegantly leap onto the stage and, flourishing their guitars, accordion and clarinet, and begin to play. 

Their chaotic flare soon has the audience on their feet and attempting hip-titillating tangos.

I stand at the back of the autograph queue and request an interview.

It's a Rap!

I meet Tyrone in the middle of the field, and he helpfully rounds up his crew for an interview. 

They agree to perform an impromptu rap for my interview. Tom Long aka Joel Brown throws me a line, which goes something like 'We met Miriam Davies at the Ragged Hedge Fair 2008!'.

I beam from ear to ear and skip off to listen to RSVP's Bhangra beats in the main tent.

The festival is entirely wind and solar powered. In the still dark night every star seems visible. 

I tread on someone's hand as I stumble towards the music coming from the beer tent.

Ska Daddy

As I watch the Ska band that has launched their set in the middle of the tent, I feel happy reassurance. 

This is a band I have grown up with and skanked to for years; Headed as always by the anonymous 'man in the mac' who I have never seen without his sunglasses.

All too soon the Ska Daddy's storm blew out.

I managed to have a quick anglo-francophonic chat with all four members of Mamienco.  

Together we made our way to the front of the main tent to dance before Afro beat giants, Kasaimasai.

With music ringing in my ears, I return over the lumps and bumps of the moonless field to the car.