Beautiful Days (festival) explained

Beautiful Days
Location:Escot Park, Ottery St Mary, Devon, England
Years Active:2003–present
Dates:August

Beautiful Days is a music festival that takes place in August at Escot Park, near Ottery St Mary, Devon. The festival was founded by, and is managed by the band The Levellers and was first held in 2003. The festival has no corporate sponsorship or branding,[1] leading to Virtual Festivals proclaiming it "the festival that sells out ... by not selling out".[2] In 2011 Beautiful Days was pronounced "Best Family Festival" by the UK Festival Awards,[3] later winning the "Grass Roots Festival Award" in 2015,[4] as well as the "Best Medium Festival" award from FestivalKidz the same year. Every festival from 2003 to the current one (2024) has sold out in advance;[5] although the 2020 festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current capacity is 17,500.[6]

History

The Levellers began the festival at Escot Park in 2003, after a previous venture (the Green Blade Festival) ran into licensing difficulties.[7] The Levellers' singer Mark Chadwick explained the thinking behind the ethos of the new festival in an interview with eFestivals[8]

The festival is held on the penultimate weekend of August, which until 2017 was the same weekend as the now defunct V Festival; Chadwick stated that although this was not originally deliberate, he liked it because "the ethos of the festival is (the) antithesis of V."

Musical styles

Beautiful Days has a more diverse range of musical artists than many other festivals. Headline artists have included reggae (Lee "Scratch" Perry, The Wailers), alternative rock (James, Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine), punk (The Stranglers, The Pogues), post-punk (Killing Joke, Public Image Ltd), country rock (Steve Earle), folk rock (Frank Turner), dance (Leftfield), gothic rock (The Sisters of Mercy) and blues (Seasick Steve). A number of acts from outside the US and UK which may be less familiar to festival crowds are booked each year; in recent years these have included Tinariwen (Mali), Seeed (Germany), Katzenjammer (Norway), Dubioza kolektiv (Bosnia) and Hoffmaestro (Sweden).[9] Traditionally, The Levellers open the festival with an acoustic set in the Big Top on Friday afternoon, and close it by headlining the main stage on Sunday, followed by a firework display.[10]

Stages

The first two festivals were held over two days (Saturday and Sunday) and utilised two stages, named the Main Stage and the Big Top. In 2005 it became a three-day festival with the addition of bands playing on the Friday, and has since expanded the number of stages. Between 2012 and 2018 there were six main stages; the two mentioned above, plus the Little Big Top, the Bimble Inn, the Bandstand and the Theatre Tent, the main stage and Big Top hosting the majority of established acts, with the Bimble Inn and Bandstand showcasing lesser known acts. The Little Big Top is primarily dance-oriented, whilst the Theatre tents provides theatre, cabaret, comedy and children's acts. [11] In 2019 the Bandstand was removed to make way for a larger Theatre Tent, with some acoustic acts performing in the Fiddler's Arms.[12]

Facilities

Beautiful Days has the usual range of festival facilities. There are three bars - with Levellers-related names (Hope Tavern, Fiddler's Arms and Dirty Davey's), which are run by the local Otter Brewery, numerous food stalls, and a shop run by the village shop from nearby Talaton.[13] There is a large children's area with activities and workshops run by the Majical Youth Theatre, along with child-friendly performances in the Theatre Tent.[14] There are camping sections, including a family section and a disabled section, and a large area for camper vans and other live-in vehicles.[15]

Festival details

YearDateMain Stage HeadlinersBig Top HeadlinersNotes/Reference
200316-17 AugustLee "Scratch" Perry, The LevellersSenser, Justin Sullivan[16]
200421-22 AugustThe Stranglers, The LevellersSystem 7, Show of Hands[17]
200519-21 AugustMichael Franti & Spearhead, The Wonder Stuff, The LevellersChas & Dave, Steeleye Span, Billy Bragg[18]
200618-20 AugustKilling Joke, Echo & the Bunnymen, The LevellersHayseed Dixie, Julian Cope, Alabama 3[19]
200717-19 AugustGogol Bordello, KT Tunstall, The LevellersSkaville UK, Show of Hands, The Damned[20]
200815-17 AugustSqueeze, Supergrass, The LevellersBrakes, Salsa Celtica, Los Albertos[21]
200921-23 AugustHawkwind, The Pogues, The LevellersSeth Lakeman, Swans in Flight, The Blockheads[22]
201020-22 AugustThe Wailers, James, The LevellersFairport Convention, Bellowhead, Shooglenifty[23]
201119-21 AugustBig Audio Dynamite, Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, The LevellersThe Low Anthem, Oysterband, Salsa Celtica[24]
201217-19 AugustFrank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Public Image Ltd, The Levellers]Midlake, Seth Lakeman, Katzenjammer[25]
201316-18 AugustOcean Colour Scene, Primal Scream, The LevellersClannad, Headmix Collective, Roy Harper[26]
201415-17 AugustSteve Earle and the Dukes, Seasick Steve, The LevellersTinariwen, Bellowhead, Devin Townsend[27]
201521-23 AugustHappy Mondays, Dropkick Murphys, The LevellersFreeborn John, Wilko Johnson, Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain[28]
201619-21 AugustLeftfield, James, The LevellersBilly Bragg, The Damned, Treacherous Orchestra[29]
201718-20 AugustPaul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, The LevellersTherapy?, Hayseed Dixie, Alison Moyet[30]
201817-19 AugustThe Hives, Manic Street Preachers, The LevellersSuzanne Vega, Calexico, Richard Thompson Electric Trio[31]
201916-18 AugustSkunk Anansie, Ziggy Marley, The LevellersSonghoy Blues, Hothouse Flowers, Steeleye Span[32]
202021-23 AugustTravis, Flogging Molly, The LevellersHawkwind, Indigo Girls, Show of HandsCancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[33]
202120-22 AugustFrank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, James, The LevellersHawkwind, The Lakeman Family Gathering,[34] Van der Graaf Generator[35]
202219-21 AugustFlogging Molly, The Specials, The LevellersBeth Orton, The Imagined Village, Billy Bragg[36]
202318-20 AugustSuede, Primal Scream, The LevellersThe Dead South, Indigo Girls, The Rock Orchestra[37]
202416-18 AugustThe Saw Doctors, Richard Ashcroft, The LevellersRichard Hawley, Toyah Willcox & Robert Fripp, Fisherman's Friends[38]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Gliddon. Becca. Beautiful Days Festival 2016 - Line-up announced. 29 October 2016. Midweek Herald. 4 March 2016. 29 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161029235744/http://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/beautiful_days_festival_2016_line_up_announced_1_4443863. dead.
  2. Web site: Beautiful Days 2016. virtualfestivals.com. 29 October 2016.
  3. Web site: and the winners are.... UK Festival Awards. 15 August 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110125055439/http://uk.festivalawards.com/news1/and-the-winners-are/. 25 January 2011.
  4. News: Devon's Beautiful Days triumph at the 2015 UK Festival Awards. 29 October 2016. Exeter Express and Echo. 28 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151213040700/http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Devon-s-Beautiful-Days-triumph-2015-UK-Festival/story-28259409-detail/story.html. 13 December 2015. dead.
  5. Web site: Beautiful Days. eFestivals. 4 March 2021. 16 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210316162953/https://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/beautifuldays. live.
  6. Web site: About the festival. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170310093809/http://www.beautifuldays.org/about/. 10 March 2017. dead.
  7. Web site: Beautiful Days. 11 September 2016. Festival Mag. 5 March 2017. 24 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161024023138/http://www.festivalmag.com/festivals/beautiful-days/. live.
  8. Web site: Levellers' Mark Chadwick interview. eFestivals. 16 August 2012. 25 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120825191518/http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/beautifuldays/2003/int-mark.shtml. live.
  9. Web site: Past line-ups. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 28 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170328150610/http://www.beautifuldays.org/past/. live.
  10. Web site: Beautiful Days. natpacker.org. 5 March 2017. 6 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170306140446/https://natpacker.com/destination/beautiful-days/. live.
  11. Web site: Prescott. Catherine. Beautiful Days 2015 review. Festival Kidz. 5 March 2017. 6 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170306133945/http://www.festivalkidz.com/reviews/beautiful-days-2015-review/. live.
  12. Web site: Prescott. Catherine. Beautiful Days 2019 review. Festival Kidz. 16 May 2020. 10 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200810145620/https://www.festivalkidz.com/reviews/beautiful-days-2019-review/. live.
  13. Web site: Beautiful Days facilities. eFestivals. 5 March 2017. 6 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170306132945/http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/beautifuldays/info-markets.shtml. live.
  14. Web site: Beautiful Days. Festival Kidz. 5 March 2017. 6 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170306142726/http://www.festivalkidz.com/festivals/beautiful-days/. live.
  15. Web site: FAQs. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 6 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170306133807/http://www.beautifuldays.org/faqs/. live.
  16. Web site: Beautiful Days 2003 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 28 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170328150616/http://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2003-line-up/. live.
  17. Web site: Beautiful Days 2004 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 28 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170328150635/http://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2004-line-up/. live.
  18. Web site: Beautiful Days 2005 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 28 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170328150643/http://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2005-line-up/. live.
  19. Web site: Beautiful Days 2006 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 27 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170327234713/http://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2006-line-up/. live.
  20. Web site: Beautiful Days 2007 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 28 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170328150702/http://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2007-line-up/. live.
  21. Web site: Beautiful Days 2008 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 4 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240804230849/https://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2008-line-up/. live.
  22. Web site: Beautiful Days 2009 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 28 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170328083541/http://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2009-line-up/. live.
  23. Web site: Beautiful Days 2010 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 27 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170327233201/http://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2010-line-up/. live.
  24. Web site: Beautiful Days 2011 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 27 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170327232421/http://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2011-line-up/. live.
  25. Web site: Beautiful Days 2012 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 27 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170327233714/http://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2012-2/. live.
  26. Web site: Beautiful Days 2013 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 28 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170328150728/http://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2013-2/. live.
  27. Web site: Beautiful Days 2014 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 30 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170330043412/http://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2014-line-up/. live.
  28. Web site: Beautiful Days 2015 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 28 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170328150902/http://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2015-line-up/. live.
  29. Web site: Beautiful Days 2016 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 5 March 2017. 4 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240804230905/https://www.beautifuldays.org/2016-line-up/. live.
  30. Web site: Beautiful Days 2017 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 16 May 2020. 4 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240804230907/https://www.beautifuldays.org/2017-line-up/. live.
  31. Web site: Beautiful Days 2018 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 16 May 2020. 14 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200514034106/https://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2018-line-up/. live.
  32. Web site: Beautiful Days 2019 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 16 May 2020. 14 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200514063443/https://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2019-line-up/. live.
  33. Web site: Beautiful Days 2020 line-up. Louder Than War. 30 January 2020. 16 May 2020. 22 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200422020723/https://louderthanwar.com/beautiful-days-festival-announce-2020-bill/. live.
  34. Web site: Beautiful Days Festival news: This is going to be very exciting tonight! Headlining the Big Top stage is The Lakeman Family Gathering - Festival Flyer. Festival Flyer. 21 August 2021. 28 Aug 2021. 28 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210828102113/https://festivalflyer.com/beautiful-days-festival-news-this-is-going-to-be-very-exciting-tonight-headlining-the-big-top-stage-is-the-lakeman-family-gather/2021/. live.
  35. Web site: Beautiful Days 2021 Line Up. beautifuldays.org. 28 Aug 2021. 28 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210828101057/https://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2021-line-up/. live.
  36. Web site: Beautiful Days 2022 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 12 April 2023. 12 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230412205650/https://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2022-line-up/. live.
  37. Web site: Beautiful Days 2023 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 1 August 2024. 1 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240801112228/https://www.beautifuldays.org/past/2023-line-up/. live.
  38. Web site: Beautiful Days 2024 line-up. beautifuldays.org. 1 August 2024. 17 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240417000832/https://www.beautifuldays.org/lineup/. live.

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