Reviewed by Andrew Wiggins Official Sidfest Journalist

Sidfest 05. Leave that word to linger for a few moments, and let it drop into your mind. Now it belongs to the ages! Apologies for the dramatics folks but sometimes it’s just the only way to convey how awesome things are. Let me restart, what a great “fest”, truly the biggest, easily the fullest, and for my part the most forgotten.

Intrepid master Gatehouse does like to continually out do himself, and this year he smashed all expectations. Upon arriving Sidfest veterans were obvious from the mistake they made in attempting to park in the small field, no my friends the small field was, well too small for this years guests. After being redirected to the large field you would be awed by the all-new toilet block, the village of tents, and the various stages and gazebos. I got ready to party, erecting (hee hee) my tent so as to get optimum annoyance out of my neighbours for the night, Stewart and his lady friend. Meeting various new friends of friends indicated that this year’s fest would be more about making new acquaintances. The drinking began at car bar around 7, with the bringing back of Pimms O’clock, this time lessened to shots of pimms and lemonade (Im a student now). Hats were stolen, and various games played.

The stage was just about done, (basic replica of previous years with a lot more lights and far bigger speakers), and all rigging and equipment set up. The first musical entertainment came in the form of big T’s summer soul session, and may I just say WOW! If it wasn’t summer before, it certainly was during (to clarify it was summer before, but if anything T’s amazing choices made it more summer). I feel the whole thing was beautifully realised by the novelty toy on stage at the time, a small electric sunflower with comical glasses and a small guitar, when the music would play he would dance to the beat, and boy did he dance in that little pot. The sight was amazing and indeed kept hold of many fans attention.

The first of the bands played next, the returning Sidfest fave Spontaneous Decay! And what fine accompaniment they were to the alcohol being consumed. The fest was filling fast, by 8 we were pretty much near 100. For a small fee one could purchase glow band/bands in assorted 5 colours, and this year Thanim was successfully running a burger stall. It was all going well but business was slow, so obviously the genius idea of selling burgers in quarters was born. McDonalds have yet to cotton on to this brainchild, but if they did I imagine they would be a multi billion selling company with outlets all over the world.

I’d taken it upon myself to host by this stage of the night. If you want some lovely sound bites they can be found via master gatehouse or myself, where else will you get sound bites of someone declaring “who likes cheese, I do, I love cheese!”, “I’m not drunk, I know I sound it, but trust me, I really am not”, or my favourite “I’m now selling burgers and hotdogs, I’m also selling ¼ burgers and hotdogs”. Also available a rare recording of an impromptu version of “afternoon delight”.

Evening was trotting along nicely with more alcohol, more music, and more fun. Rain stopped play for a while during the second set from a small outfit known affectionately as “The Cotton Candy Killers”. They attempted to play again but were halted by the rain once more. You thought Glastonbury was bad, well it was, Glastonbury was much worse then Sidfest, but the rain wasn’t great and the stage had to be covered. But a bit of rain never dampened the sidfest spirit. Just Called Charlie, that’s the best way to describe the next act, with some smashing songs and infectious charm they won the audience and brought the band section to a fantastic close.

The second stage of Sidfest began with the misleadingly named Disc Jockey “Talk Show Host”! But his deceptive name didn’t sour another blinding set. By this point I found myself in the lower field in tent village, the central gazebo housing a small contingent of party lovers. As most of the years attendees had enjoyed a very pleasurable “fresher year” many had come back with a variety of drinking games. I would like to take this opportunity to blame those people and Joseph Day for my behaviour and state as a result of said games. Its them we thank when I tell you I have mild memory loss as a result, but I will endeavour to continue to deliver the full story of the night. Popular games included “what the fuck”, “21” and “Down it” (not so much a game as a suggestion).

I have been informed that the next few acts, Stuart from Goo, The squire for Hire (My close personal friend Nick), and Righteous Mark were all very good. and they were very good despite hindrance from me at their sides on the decks, apologies all round! Memory returns at some point here and I realise I was again on stage annoying DJ Skullman, who admirably crafted some great mixes, shortly followed by the Big JC Himself (Supplier and designer of Power, Sound and Lighting) and at last Tom, the hostess with the mostess, Gatehouse. I remember Tom’s set very well because it was fantastic, the highlight being a superb mix of Hard Fi’s hard to beat. I was next, and it was a wonder I could even talk, but fortunately I am familiar with my problems with alcohol so the set was pre mixed, 2 words, THANK FUCK! All I had to do was press play; 5 minutes later play had been pressed. The set was a mixture of all things cheese, or just generally popular. Aptly named “The Erection Section: Getting Wiggy Wid It”! The culmination of all the evenings’ events was the 1st ever SidFest sing-along, and this year it was …………. “Hey Jude”, and what a way to go out. The crowd was buzzing, the atmosphere fantastic, the time, 5am!

In between all the music the festival was in full swing. Max capacity was in the region of 200, but that figure could be grossly over, or under, I was seeing 3 for every one. The traditional fire was burning and was a great spot to sit and contemplate, or sober up so you can press the play button. I have a solid 2 or 3 hour blank, I don’t remember it getting dark, it just suddenly was, and I was in a field face down on the phone! I needed rescuing, and fortunately Sidfest always has friends there to help. 3 slices of bread and a lot of help from Mr Evian and I was back…. Back in party tent playing what the fuck for shots of vodka.

But life cant be one big party and alas I was awoken at 6.30am by my sister who had been looking for me. I was in the car with windscreen wipers on full and hot air blowing a frenzy in the car. And most importantly I was still drunk and ready to serve tables! So my Sidfest experience ends there, but I have been told the party continued long into the day with more music and fun!

All in all a terrific time, and brilliant party truly honourable of the title festival. The review is sketchy at best and I’m sorry but all thoughts of journalism went out the window with Vodka Redbull! But I assure you that the 4th Birthday extravaganza was all that and more! Lets all anticipate Sidfest 06, what can we expect, well suggestions should certainly start at the introduction of a Zoo or some sort of menagerie! But until next year, keep a special spot for Sidfest in your hearts!.

Andrew Wiggins DJ Extrodinaire