Into The Wild — Size doesn't matter

Size doesn't matter

Happily tucked away in the rural English countryside, Into the Wild was the perfect festival for anyone who loves good music, dancing, relaxing and having a laugh. The sun was shining and the weekend was set to be a great one filled with exceptionally talented artists happy to play a small and intimate festival like this.

On arrival it seemed as though everyone knew everyone else. A sense of community was immediately established. Whether slumming it in the cosy campsite or treating yourself to the luxurious Glamping, everyone was all in. Hellos were said, tents were set up and it was time for the music to begin. Festival-goers walked in twos and threes to the festival field from the campsites – a walk of approximately a minute and a half. With a Dance tent that never stopped, the more intimate Salam tent and the Main Stage tent there was no shortage of entertainment for the weekend. The festival was brilliantly organised so that no acts overlapped. You were able to flit happily between Salam and Main Stage and catch every artist’s full set.

Friday evening’s line up saw some first-rate artists taking to both stages with Marner Brown and Tankus the Henge both commanding the Main Stage as headliners at night. Despite the Salam stage experiencing a few technical difficulties throughout the evening the acts took it in their stride and performed skilfully to a crowd who were happy to hear great new music.

With the last act leaving the Main Stage just before midnight it was time for the Dance tent and the Chillout tent, fitted with sofas and an alternative late-night bar, to head into full swing. The party going on into the wee small hours of the morning set up the scene for another day of festivities.

Saturday kicked off with a, slightly hungover yoga session for a few of the more spritely attendees. Another day of incredible music was accompanied by a beautifully hot summers day, resulting in most people just letting the music wash over them from the comfort of the open air space outside the tents. The whole day was extremely relaxed and chilled, which worked perfectly with the predominately acoustic sounds coming from the tents. From acts such as Brave Giant and Inside Sky, taking the stages during the day, to the weekend’s main headliners, The Buzzcocks, everyone appreciated the diversity of the music and the nature of the festival that allowed you to either relax or dance while enjoying the talent.

With a party even bigger than Friday’s, the day was topped off by almost everyone dancing and having a ball in the chillout tent and those who were not inside were outside taking in the late night summer heat.

The last day of the festival came around all too quickly when Sunday arrived. With only three acts taking to the Salam stage most of the attendees had started to slip away before the festival was truly over. However, some stayed around to absorb some more of England’s finest sunshine and the last little bit of festival life before returning to reality.

Into the Wild proved itself as a beautifully intimate festival in an equally as stunning setting that provides exceptional new talent a platform to be heard.

By Emma Lobban

Photo credit: What Compo Saw