Back to the festival that it all began for us in 2022….on our doorstep this amazingly friendly, all-age metal and rock festival again delivered for us all as a family of 6!
Day 1 Thursday
Starting on the Thursday with the VIP party Dad pitched our tent and picked me up (Matthew) to attend the pre-festival party. Metalliciza was the Metallica tribute band in between rock DJ’s blasting out the tunes. Dad was loving it! We also caught up with Mark Ellis my mentor from last year as well as his daughter and friend, all shooting the event. We had a great night catching up but we left at 1030 as I had school in the morning – disappointingly.
Day 2 Friday
Dad here, Matthew was at school so didn’t arrive until teatime. I on the other hand arrived at lunchtime to have some birthday beers with my brother. Not many photos until Matthew returned but here’s one of us also a great sight was 2 classes from a senior school who came to the event in the afternoon by their music teachers. They watched the bands, spoke to band members, and were given/purchased merch. More schools should do this and hat off to the festival for being so welcoming.
After 5 Matthew was dropped with us and within 30 seconds we had lost him in front of the barrier where all the photographers earned their stripes and shots.
Lincoln-based Carry the Crown had great fun and even the singer came into the crowd for some participation.
Matthew here again – Highlights for me were photographing one of Dad’s idols in Ginger from the Wildhearts playing with Ginger Wildheart and the Sinners and of course his lovely dog Maggie.
The main headling Kris Barras’s band was excellent too and as the lights descended into darkness I got some very good shots of them, including his tattoos on display.
Dad wanted to add that during the evening Adam and Bethany had been dropped off to enjoy the festival. We all wanted to stay but after the sunset, we opted to all be picked up and return home to our warm house and bed…..tomorrow was a new day.
Day 3 – Saturday
Dad here, today was a family day with all 6 of us attending today so that we could all witness the headliner’s Terrorvision whilst also experiencing the day as a family.
Sour Tusk had been another band that Dad had heard on the Spotify playlist and they were a lot of fun, with plenty of band interaction between their songs.
Next up was Kickin Valentina, an American band who really were so nice. I took photos before they went on and during their set from the stage. What made them great fun was they got children up on stage to enjoy the experience, a really great thing to do.
Terrorvision, are one of my Mum and Dad’s favourite so getting to watch and shoot them was all the more special.
Day 4 – Sunday
Back to just Dad and I for the final day, first job to drop the tent next job take as many photos and see as many bands throughout the day!
Pryma started the day for me, loved their look and music, and the smoke gun that I pictured was so cool.
King Kraken I had shot before in Bradford last month, it was nice they remembered me and Dad was really happy as he has been listening to them lots since we saw them last.
Sister were great to photograph with their look and feel.
Black Spiders on Sunday night closed the second stage and I really enjoyed these as Dad had been playing their tracks in the run-up to the festival.
Sunday night headliners Those Damn Crows were amazing they sounded so clear and their music was very easy to love. I was given the opportunity to shoot them from the stage too which was a great experience then I watched them in front of the barrier with security who had been great to me all weekend. Then as a final treat after they had finished I tracked them down and got them to sign my setlist from the show before finding my way back to Dad. What a great weekend!
We also took some shots of friends, family, and guests whilst we were there. I hope we will stay friends for many years to come.
And that’s a wrap, what a great weekend, thanks to the organisers, the bands and all the people who made the festival so great, friendly and welcoming, see you next year! Special mention to event photographer Mark Ellis, (along with Emmie and Sammy) for spending time with me over the weekend, helping me gain access to not only the pit but also other parts of the stage which allowed me to keep learning and growing. I am very lucky.
