Chagstock - Devonshire's best kept secret

Chagstock 2015

Friday 17th to Saturday 18th July 2015
Whiddon Down, Chagford, Devon, EX20 2PR, England MAP
£85 for a weekend adult

Daily capacity: 5,000

Last updated: Tue 26th May 2015

It seems like there are festivals everywhere these days doesn't it? It's so easy to over look an event on your doorstep but I'd never been to south Devon's Chagstock, an hour and a half from my home, even though this year was it's ninth.

I'd made an effort to return from a London trip especially to make it for the Friday but British public transport being on form as usual delayed me by a few hours and we ended up pitching our tent on after midnight on Friday night. At many other festivals that would have been a challenging thing to attempt but Chagstock's site was spacious and the distance between the parking and tent was very civilised indeed. So with minimal effort for a tired couple pitching in the dark we then fell asleep to the relaxing sound of people people singing heartily together, children giggling happily and a warm fuzzy festival vibe surrounding us.

After what was surprisingly my best night's sleep in a tent in living memory (I'd sold my beloved camper and had been reluctant to be in a tent again) I awoke by the warm sun through the canvas covering feeling refreshed and happy. Sunny summer days in Devonshire are a blessed thing and the view of Dartmoor from the campsite was spectacular. I entered the site on a hunt for coffee and saw all the usual festival bits and pieces from reiki practitioners to stalls selling fairy wings. I took my drink and strolled around the family event that was full of friendly folk who were mostly from the area, many of whom said they'd been coming year after year, with friends and relatives. It certainly seemed to have the happy atmosphere of people reuniting in a lovely setting.

Well I'd missed some great music on the Friday, that much I knew, but there was much more fine entertainment for this day. Backbeat Soundsystem who are south west favourites we are on early promoting their lovely sun drenched reggae album. The live experience is similar but I urge you to check out the album as it's fine music deserving a wider audience in reggae circles and beyond, plus it's perfect listening for this time of year.

Later was Electric Swing Circus who are often seen on line ups as they're a guaranteed crowd pleaser with their upbeat rhythms and tasty swing brass samples providing a recipe for dancing with big cheesy grins. Fun for all the family!

From one stage to another, there was a five minute gap between performances meaning that when one stage is finished you go to the next. Not great if you don't like the band on at the time as there lacks options with only 2 big stages but the quality of programming was such that I didn't have a problem. Next up was the The Eskies, an Irish band that will surely make inroads in to the UK market with their rousing anthems. Despite playing to 12 people in Totnes the night before they managed to capture the attention of several thousand at Chagstock who faithfully sung the parts the band asked them to with more gusto than perhaps even they expected. They were my most enjoyable discovery at the event and I'll look out for them again at another event.

Molotov Jukebox provided the festival with some sparkle as they hit the stage with sassy latinesque beats giving punters a chance to dip their hips to the rhythm. Again the crowd faithfully chanted in all the right places and the band seemed genuinely bowled over by all the audiences overwhelming response.

Headliners Levellers are a band close to my heart as they were one of the first band I ever saw live soon after they blew me away with their classic Levelling the Land. Much revered around the UK the field was packed to see these greats who smashed out their classic songs to a field of people jumping up and down in unison. One Way was a highlight just from the sheer volume of the audiences singing.

Chagstock has something special, I'm not sure how that magic was created but the special thing is that the audience is so up for everything. Any music, any chance to sing a long or dance and all ages of attendees seem to give it their all which seemed to have a positive affect on the band and how they responded. However this has been created other events should perhaps take note and try and emulate it for their often spoilt indifferent audiences.

review by: Richie Cadence