Looking Ahead To Gottwood 2017 And Reminiscing With Some Festival Regulars...
The eighth edition of Gottwood Festival is fast approaching. Taking place on the stunning northern tip of Anglesey, Wales from 8th-12th June, signposting summer solstice, the area's historic druidic associations make the festival an unmissable mystical, musical event. Indeed, with a cult-like following, for those of you who have been before Gottwood needs little introduction simply look forward to another year of this opening highlight to the summer. For the first timers, prepare for picturesque, almost to the point of fairy-tale, surroundings situated on a woodland-straddled stunning lake which is the centre-piece of the festival’s proceedings. While for most the trip over is unappealingly long, meticulous set design, a nature friendly atmosphere, impressive and ever-improving production, sensational food vans, the dedicated returning (and first time crowd) and most importantly, the consistent curation of perfectly selected artists more than satisfy any logistical stresses. Undoubtedly, a journey to the critically acclaimed boutique festival in the north-welsh wilderness is an adventure worth taking. With this in mind and looking ahead to the weekend, we asked some Gottwood regulars for their fondest memory of the festival and where their attention will be this year. As if you needed any more reason…
Move D
Fondest memory of Gottwood?
Fondest memory of Gottwood is so hard to pick... the first time playing a set advertised as a disco set 2 years ago? Or playing the lake stage in the magical fog on Sunday afternoon last year? Being blown away by Khruangbin just before? Just wandering around the fairy tale like festival ground? The times spent with friends like Axel Boman listening to Zip? The wine tasting? The view from our room overlooking the festival? People chiming the bell outside the house and singing "you can ring my bell" at night after the music stopped? Gottwood is so hard to beat!!
Where your attention will be this year when you're not playing?
This year a lot of my attention will be on my own family, as I am bringing my two sons aged 19 years and 4 months... 😊
Bradley Zero
Fondest memory of Gottwood?
Rolling into the walled garden stage with the swimmers to Hunee playing Ali ( bumbahyeh!) - shortly after his death last year. It was a special moment that couldn’t be repeated.
Where your attention will be this year when you're not playing?
I’m hyped to see some live music, especially Bermuda & Red Axes. When I’m not front left I’ll be at Ruffy’s lab.
Tristan Da Cunha
Fondest Memory of Gottwood?
Well there are many fond memories from over the years i've been involved in the festival... One in particular that always gets brought up in conversation was one of my sets from 2015 in the walled garden arena. I'd just got out of hospital that week from a collapsed lung and was hell bent on making it to perform at the festival. I got on the decks and let rip, all the tension and stress from being stuck in hospital just got released on the decks. There was definitely some kinda sonic voodoo going on as records floated out of my record bag as if I was Dynamo the magician or something. The sound system was super tight and the garden kicked off, the crowd were there with me every step of the way. It was a really special set and as I mentioned before I still get people coming up to me all the time saying how good it was and how inspired they were by it. What more can you ask for!
Where your attention will be this year when you're not playing?
So many things to see... but I'll be definitely at the front for Francesco Del Garda and butter side up, Craig Richards, Zip, Nicolas Lutz, Harvey Sutherland Live, Frenchy, Mathew Johnson Live, Red Axes Live, XDB, and loads more... the list could go on and on. Such a great line up!
Subb-an
Fondest memory of Gottwood?
Adam Shelton & Tristan Da Cunha back to back last year was pure fire... electro booty!
Where your attention will be this year when you're not playing?
This year I will only be at the festival on the Sunday so of course my attention will be our stage with XDB, Thomas Melchoir and the boys Adam and Tris.
Crazy P
Fondest memory of Gottwood?
Playing live late on Sunday on the lake stage last year was a bit of a moment. Every Gottwood has brought with it great memories though.
Where your attention will be this year when you're not playing?
I've got 3 gigs in about 9 hrs when I get there so downtime will be spent keeping loose, hopping on the oxygen tank, eating Kumquat wraps and getting lost in the woods.
Archie Hamilton
Fondest memory of Gottwood?
So many! I have been coming since year 1, so it’s amazing to see how much it’s grown and developed.
Where your attention will be this year when you're not playing?
Hmmm Alex & Digby, Margaret Dygas, Mathew Jonson, Herbert, Saoirse, Sonja Moonear and of course Zip for the house and techno fix. And I’m sure you’ll find me in some my spandex leggings listening to Dele Sosimi :)
Felix Dickinson
Fondest memory of Gottwood?
Craig Richards and Ben UFO's b2b session in the walled garden on the Sunday evening last year was pretty special. Also had a really great slow mo cosmic afro moment in the tent with all the red lazors, not sure who was playing, but there was some serious vibes.
Where your attention will be this year when you're not playing?
Checking out my heavily pregnant wife Jenny Jen playing at the Owl stage on the Sunday.
PBR Streetgang
Fondest memory of Gottwood?
Oh hard one, we've heard some great sets over the years! Although a few years ago Ruf Dug opened up the stage on the front Lawn. It was Sunday, so the last day - the weather was forecast for rain, but instead it was glorious sunshine. Nursing hangovers everyone gathered and sat on the lawn chilling. He played a cracking opening/warm up set which perfectly set the tone for the rest of the day.
Where your attention will be this year when you're not playing?
Mainly checking out other acts and hanging with friends. Gottwood is one of those places where the lineup is massively on point, so you just want to check out and listen to as much music as possible. It's relatively small and easy to get round from stage to stage, so you've got a good chance of seeing everything. When you combine that with the number of acts who are considered family and come back year on year, it makes it a great environment to hang out and have a lot fun... roll on June!!
Tom Carpenter (Gottwood director)
Fondest memory of Gottwood?
In terms of best set I think it has to be Andrew Weatherall b2b Roman Flugel last year. They had been friends for over 20 years but never played together before and it was one of the best sets I've ever seen.
Which acts are you particularly keen to catch this year?
Mathew Jonson live, Anchorsong, Red Axes (live) and so many more. I book the artists along with our stage takeover brands, labels etc so I'm keen to see them all - if only I could!
5/06/17
Words by Ben C & Hugo B