My Leefest experience started as I was treated to the sounds of the Mariachi El Pinche Gringo band practising  their rendition of 'A Little Respect' whilst erecting my tent in the sunshine. A perfect start! 

Then off I went to acquaint myself with the small but perfectly formed festival site before watching the French indie pop electronica outfit known as We Were Evergreen. They appeared to be well received and well schedule for a warm summer's afternoon.

I attended Leefest last year and it was great to see a few familiar vendor faces from last year, including the excellent Sutton & Sons and their delicious hog roast offerings. So that was me fed and ready to take on Blaenavon whose eager fans awaited them in the Lava Lounge tent. Don't be fooled by their youthful look. They have excellent stage presence, which I feel, like many bands I saw that weekend is not reflected in their online output. Definitely band to see live and certainly a band to look out for over the coming years.

I then found myself in the Clocktower squealing like a fan girl because I walked into a room of retro consoles to play with courtesy of Joypad. Super Mario Kart on a SNES? Yes please! For such a little festival there is just so much to do. More so than larger events I've attended (of which there are many).

Years & Years

The next band had to deal with a little gremlin, there was a power issue for a few moments when the drummer of Years & Years valiantly, to the crowds encouraging claps, powered through a solo piece whilst waiting for the electricity. I very much enjoyed this band and they will sit well next to Disclosure on my various playlists. I had the added bonus of a getting to photograph a lead singer, Olly Alexander (who played Jakob in Skins), with a wonderfully warm welcoming way and a great smile. It's not often you see that one stage.

MØ 

Later on it was time for MØ, she was excellent fun and I thoroughly enjoyed her enthusiastic performance, really making use of all the stage and clearly enjoying herself. The crowd reflected this back. Somewhat reminiscent of the excellent set from Man Like Me the year before at Leefest.

Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip

Following me up from Essex, having performed at Village Green earlier that day, was the intellectually entertaining Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip in what would be one of their final gigs as a duo... the last ever being at Bestival before they go their separate ways. I saw a far more confident performance from Scroobius Pip than the last time I saw them perform. Keeping security on their toes by jumping into the crowd and giving his all while the threat of a storm passed by.

The rest of the night I spent flitting about between the Wonderland beach and dance music, a bit of the fantastic Riot Jazz in the Laval Lounge and the excellent sounds of the 60s in the Clockhouse. I'm a bit of a Northern Soul fan so this pleased me greatly! Curfew kicked in and everything went into silent disco mode. There's nothing not fun about trying to guess what people are dancing too!

Now I get to mention the Special Olympics award winning Wayne who I'd like to crown unofficial Leefest champion. Whether entertaining us with cover songs through the night on the campsite or rallying up people to dance in front of the main stage, Wayne was a joy to have around. The band Juce on Sunday in fact personally thanked him for his efforts.

Sunday... clearly the day for paint fights and glitter wrestling! I'll let the pictures do the talking for that bit of this review. 

The crowd were warmed up with an utterly ridiculous and joyful performance from the Mariachi El Pinche Gringo band I mentioned earlier covering bands from Pulp to the Bloodhound Gang.

Childcare

I also watched the rather punk like Childcare, the lead singer distinctively covered in painted bird silhouettes performing a rather forceful and enjoyable cover of Blondie's Hanging On The Telephone. I will definitely go out of my way to see them again. 

Overall I had a wonderful time, it was reminiscent of more northern festivals, where people treat you like a friend they've yet not met. From the security guards to the crowds, everyone were welcoming and friendly. It was rather heart warming to see different generations of strangers interacting with each other.

I'll be back next year if they'll have me!  

Article & Photography: Tracy Morter