If you’re looking for a festival with the best of the best up and coming artists, look no further then Barn on the Farm.
Located on a tiny farm in Gloucester, England, Barn is a relatively new festival. It only started in 2010 and already has a roster of superstars. Everyone from Ed Sheeran to James Bay to Hozier have played to a crowd of less than 2000 people. This year was no different with headliners Ow Wonder and Jack Garrett.
The moment you step onto the farm, you are transported to an intimate world of music and pure happiness. There are only three stages, all relatively small, and they make you feel like you’re part of the music, even allowing you access to so many artists themselves because when you’re at Barn, you are part of one big family.
The three-day weekend event started with Friday’s intimate barn set, with only 200 tickets sold. The set is in a small wooden barn with all the bands playing being scaled to acoustic or very minimal accompaniment. As you watch these amazing bands, you know you’re watching something very special. When can you say, that you saw your favourite bands in such a small venue? Bands/artists like Prose, Barns Courtney, Amber Run, and the secret headliner Bear’s Den set the precedent for an amazing weekend.
Saturday opened all three stages, with perfectly timed sets so that you never felt as if you were missing out. The stages were also close enough that you didn’t have to sprint from stage to stage to see your favourite. Highlights of the day were Will Joseph Cook with his ultra catchy “Girls Like Me”, Samm Henshaw getting the crowd to bust a move, and Gavin James with his beautiful vocals filling everyone with such joy. The only damper on Saturday night was the thought the weekend was nearly over.
Sunday was no different with the amount of perfection and joy. The sun was shining the whole day and everyone was filled with such positivity, that it was hard to not love every single band and artist. There were amazing sets from Prose (plugged in, this time), Martin Luke Brown (with many female admirers), and last but certainly not least Jack Garratt. Garratt is a veteran of Barn having played the last two years but this was his first year as headliner. He played not only his songs but amusing renditions of “The Fresh Prince Theme Song”, “Never Had A Dream Come True” by S Club 7, and “Wannabe” by The Spice Girls, Garratt had the crowd going wild, even ending with a chant of two more songs when he only had one left.
Barn on the Farm is one of those festivals that is hard not love. The bands, crew, security, staff, and the audience become one giant family by the end of the weekend, so much so that it made it so hard to say goodbye. If you want a festival that gives you amazing artists that will soon being playing huge venues in an intimate setting and a family environment, head to Barn on the Farm next year. You won’t regret it.
Were you at Barn on the Farm? Tweet us some of your favourites at @CelebMix!