And we’re off…
The 09:48 1st Great Western to Cheltenham Spa has just pulled out of Paddington. In about two and a half hours’ time, I should be searching for a nice accessible spot on Cheltenham Racecourse on which to pitch a tent. I’m still pondering whether to go and socialise or just lie in it and sleep once it’s up.
The tent will be home for the next few days while I’m at the Greenbelt festival. I hadn’t realised it before, but this is actually my 20th Greenbelt! All of a sudden, my DJ set tomorrow evening has a whole new meaning.
It’s been an interesting 20 years – in which I’ve gone from being the unsure rookie punter whose borrowed tent fell in on him on his first night in it, to a virtual resident of the press room. These days, I even get to inflict my choice of music on the other punters! Nice…
There’s a lot I love about Greenbelt. Back at the start of the 90s (and the start of me dabbling in this writing thingy), the writing workshops held at Greenbelt’s London HQ were key to my early development as a writer (thanks a lot to guys like Dave Roberts and Martin Wroe, who used to share their insights and expertise with us). The more I went, the more I realised there was more to Greenbelt than music. I’ve discovered an array of writers and thinkers (Caesar Molebatsi, Robert Beckford, Jim Wallis, Phillip Yancey and the late Mike Yaconelli, to name a few), and made lots of friends through my annual pilgrimage to Cheltenham (and to Castle Ashby and Deene Park before that). And of course, I’ve heard more great bands and singers than I care to remember.
On the Greenbelt blog (see my blogroll), there’s a series of “Why I’m Excited” posts, in which people associated with the festival have been talking about what (or who) they’re looking forward to the most. Here’s my “Why I’m Excited” list:
Jars of Clay are playing! So too are Brownmusic, Gil Scott-Heron, Ty, Beverley Knight, Foy Vance, Courtney Pine and Greenjade. Just a few of the acts I don’t want to miss.
They’re screening Africa United on Sunday afternoon (check back here for a review soon after).
A couple of ‘must go’ workshops and panel discussions – including one on storytelling and one on the relationship between music and activism.
The comedy line-up’s brilliant: I have to see Jude Simpson, Milton Jones and Andy Kind (he’s recently been featured on Channel 4’s 4thought.tv – top bloke).
And did I mention that I was Djing? 7Pm on Saturday in the Blue Nun wine bar. Drop by just before Shed Seven on Mainstage…
GEORGE LUKE 
Minor correction andy kind recently filmed a slot for 4 thought. It doesn’t go to air till tomorrow night. 🙂 Sorry for being pedantic.this will be my 18 th Greenbelt and the first i’ve not been able to get the weekend off work. So reduced to reading blogs and making minor corrections. I’ll be down for the day monday- no way am i missing gil scott heron. Only acts i’m really upset at missing would be fionn regan and michael mcdermot. Saw foy four times last year so can cope with missing him i guess. Having listened to virtually everyone playing this year i’d suggest luke Leighfield will turn into a long term friend of Greenbelt( just hope he attacts a decent crowd to mainstage). And hannah atkins might be the best new face in the performance cafe.
Well, if it’s any consolation, Fionn is unwell and has had to pull out of the festival.
I’m planning to see Luke Leighfield today – and of course, Gil on Monday! Why not give me a shout when you’re on site? I can usually be found in the Press office!