Nozstock: The Hidden Valley

Nozstock The Hidden Valley
Genre Folk / Americana / Alt. Country / Indie / Blues / Electro / Rock / Drum n Bass / Dubstep / Psytrance / House / Reggae / Ska / Electro / Acoustic / Comedy / Theatre / Cinema / Cabaret / Burlesque
Dates three days, end of July
Location(s) Bromyard, Herefordshire
Years active 1998–present
Website
www.nozstock.com

Nozstock The Hidden Valley is an annual independent arts and music festival in England, hosting ten stages of live music and acoustic stages, DJ stages, a hip-hop stage, a psytrance stage, one theatre and cabaret tent, one comedy tent which becomes an electro swing speakeasy after dark, a cinema tent, as well as a roaming spoken word tent and circus, fire and performance walkabout acts. It is hosted at Rowden Paddocks Farm near Bromyard, Herefordshire, and takes place towards the end of July.

Nozstock The Hidden Valley is a member of the Association of Independent Festivals. Since being founded in 1998 as a barbecue at the home of the Nosworthy family, who are long-term residents of Bromyard in Herefordshire. It has since grown with volunteer assistance, from friends, family and members of the public, to its current capacity of 5000.[1]

2016 Line-up

Nozstock The Hidden Valley always has a varied line-up, with acts from a massive range of genres. 2016's line-up includes Jurassic 5, Imelda May, Foreign Beggars, Gentleman's Dub Club, Goldie, Friction, Henning Wehn, and Richard Herring.[2]

Past Performers

Previous lineups have included De La Soul (who replaced Wu-Tang Clan at short notice), Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Beardyman, Congo Natty, Fuse ODG, Hollie Cook, Ed Solo, Dynamite MC, London Elektricity, Beans On Toast, Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer, Molotov Jukebox, Disco Panther, The Electric Swing Circus, Roots Manuva, Jake Bugg, DJ Yoda, Craig Charles, Fun Lovin' Criminals, James Zabiela The Scratch Perverts, The Strypes, Two Door Cinema Club, Chas & Dave, Dub Pistols, the Blockheads with Phill Jupitus, Krafty Kuts, Jack Beats, Caspa, Rusko, Andy C, the Stanton Warriors, Sub Focus, High Contrast, Sonny Wharton, Eddy Temple Morris, Molotov Jukebox, Ben Howard, Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer, The Skints. Sonic Boom Six, The Mouse Outfit feat Dr. Syntax and Sparkz, the Buzzcocks, The Beat, Dizraeli & The Small Gods, Pete & the Pirates, Gabby Young & Other Animals, Pulled Apart By Horses, the Joy Formidable, The Wurzels, The Proclaimers

The comedy stage has hosted names such as Seann Walsh, Russell Howard, Howard Marks, Josh Widdicombe, Cardinal Burns, Phil Kay, The Rubberbandits, Brendan Burns, Devvo, Charlie Chuck, Stephen Frost of Whose Line is it Anyway? fame.

Stages

The festival is run over ten stages: live music and acoustic stages, DJ stages, a hip-hop stage, a psytrance stage, one theatre and cabaret tent, one comedy tent which becomes an electro swing speakeasy after dark, a cinema tent, as well as a roaming spoken word tent and circus, fire and performance walkabout acts. Stage descriptions are taken from the Nozstock website.

Orchard Stage

At the heart of the festival site and set in the auditorium of the Orchard is Nozstock’s main stage. Here you can expect to dance your socks off to a bill showcasing homegrown talent, alongside the pick of the national newcomer crop and the best of more established acts. A brilliant mix of bands from all over the world will pick up the pace with rock, indie, ska, hip hop, world percussion and some surprises.[3]

Garden Stage

The Garden Stage hosts a diverse and eclectic brew of bands and DJs providing alternative sounds. This stage spans all genres from throbbing dance, funk, and hip hop, to blues, rock and acoustic musings. At the right time, you might even hear a burst of opera. Ideally situated on the hillside overlooking the Farm’s lake, with the Garden Bar just around the corner, this is the perfect spot to sit in the sun and wet your whistle to beautifully blended guitar riffs, stoking the fires for a late night dance to some filthy electronic beats.[4]

Bandstand

Standing proud at the hilltop of the Dingle is the Bandstand. Hosting a variety of eclectic sounds, its philosophy is to bring diverse, unsigned and experimental acts to the stage. This stage is perfect for those looking for a comfy sofa to chill with a beer, hoping to source new music. Tucked into its own area on the far side of the Dingle, the Bandstand creates an atmosphere all of its own. When Phill Jupitus visited Nozstock : The Hidden Valley, this was said to be his favourite stage.[5]

Cubicles

Pulsing with whompin’ basslines through the night to the wee hours of the morn, Nozstock’s largest dance arena is a converted cowshed run by their musical prodigies, Dex, Octo-pi & Koncept. This dance arena houses deep and dirty drum ‘n’ bass. Cubicles revelers will be treated to the heart shaking bass and breaks of local resident talents alongside some of the most skillful world-renowned turntablists from the DJ establishment.[6]

Coppice

Psytrance stalwarts Tribe of Frog return to Nozstock to bring deep beats into The Coppice all weekend long. Euphoric, luminous and with an incredible attention to detail, this beautiful spot within the festival, run by these tried and trusted promoters with their finger on the pulse of their audience, brings regulars back year after year.[7]

The Laughing Stock

The Laughing Stock is Nozstocks comedy tent, open during the day and evening so pop in and Laughing Stock hosts a mixture stand-up, sketch shows, improv groups and everything surreal and bizarre. Previous years have seen Russell Howard, Phill Jupitus, The Rubberbandits, Devvo, Josh Widdicombe, Cardinal Burns, Stephen Frost and Phil Kaye all doing star turns.[8]

Swing Stage

The thematically named stage of swing brings you everything from electro swing to soul and vintage rock ‘n’ roll, staging an after hours takeover of the comedy tent. Expect vintage decor, entertainers and performers plus swinging tunes and dance floor-shaking soul and motown to get you in that full-on party mood. Don’t forget your vaudevillian accoutrements…

Little Wonderland Kids Area

Nozstock we embrace the whole family festival experience: this means you will find great activities and entertainment for all. Our children’s space is a friendly welcoming environment for both parents and littles alike. All are welcome to get creative, be amazed by wondrous stories, sculptures and entertainment, or roll your sleeves up for some physical fun – because we know that engaged minds and fingers mean happy kids, who will leave with a whole heap of things they have made, and magic moments that they will never forget. All events and activities are free of charge in the kids area, we strongly believe families shouldn't foot the bill for festival fun. We even offer a free bottle warming service![9]

Bantam Of The Opera

The Bantam of the Opera will again be filled with a weekend of strange occurrences, enthralling theatre, jaw-dropping circus, side-splitting poetry, mesmerizing puppetry and more moments of magic than you can shake a stick at.[10]

The Velveteen Valley Cabaret

When the sun goes down over the farm, the bright lights of the Velveteen Valley sparkle and shine in the Bantam of the Opera. Once the clock strikes twelve we bring you two nights of decadence and delight.

Interactive Theatre and Entertainment

[12]

Tent Of Temporary Thought

Hosted once again by Matt Cummins & Rikki ‘RikTheMost’ Livermore, this year’s Tent Of Temporary Thought is fixing to be our most exciting yet! For those who don’t know, spoken word has been up-and-coming for a few years now, and we’re setting up to represent our art-form even harder this time out – whether you want to laugh, cry, reminisce, get fired up and angry or even maybe, sometimes… be sort of aroused – make sure you check in at the Tent Of Temporary Thought. For those who already know all about the power of poetry, we’ll see you there.[13]

Wrong Directions Cinetent

Head in the Wrong Directions Cinetent to be entertained, amused, confused and inspired. Open throughout the whole weekend, the Wrong Directions Cinetent is an audio-visual sanctuary for the weary traveller. Re-energise your mind with informative and provocative documentaries; immerse yourself in cinema classics; reset your cultural compass with an array of quality shorts; and be hypnotised by an eclectic selection of experimental works.[14]

Awards and nominations

UK Festival Awards

References

  1. ↑ http://www.nozstock.com
  2. ↑ http://www.nozstock.com/line-up
  3. ↑ http://www.nozstock.com/orchard-stage/
  4. ↑ http://www.nozstock.com/garden-stage/
  5. ↑ http://www.nozstock.com/bandstand/
  6. ↑ http://www.nozstock.com/cubicles/
  7. ↑ http://www.nozstock.com/coppice/
  8. ↑ http://www.nozstock.com/laughing-stock/
  9. ↑ http://www.nozstock.com/little-wonderland/
  10. ↑ http://www.nozstock.com/bantam-of-the-opera-theatre-stage/
  11. ↑ http://www.nozstock.com/line-up/the-velveteen-valley/
  12. ↑ http://www.nozstock.com/interactive-theatre-entertainment/
  13. ↑ http://www.nozstock.com/tent-of-temporary-thought/
  14. ↑ http://www.nozstock.com/cinetent/
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