We Out Here Festival

Gilles Peterson’s We Out Here Festival celebrated its fifth anniversary with familiar style. A unique festival, it is now renowned for its joyful, community-style atmosphere; this year’s instalment was no different.

The headliners were on top form. Mount Kimbie kicked off proceedings with a gorgeous set, including an energetic feature from King Krule; their performance of recent hit Empty and Silent was a highlight. Sampha was his usual soulful self on Friday, showcasing the supreme vocal talent that has turned him into a global superstar. And Floating Points’ electronic set was magical, manufacturing incredible levels of energy from the sprawl of wires that made up his stage. Louie Vega was the undoubted highlight, melting together his band The Elements of Life with such classic names as Brian Jackson, Moodymann and Dee Dee Bridgwater (who all also had their own solo sets) in a grand celebration of various neo-Jazz traditions to which he has given so much.

Integral to the success of the festival is the close-knit team of DJs close both thematically and personally to Peterson himself. Smaller stages (the Love Dancin’ tent was especially bouncy) ran throughout the day and into the early hours, with each act contributing to an overarching audio tapestry more than the sum of its parts. The setting of the festival in Wimborne St. Giles was also idyllic, amplified by ‘The Sanctuary’, a peaceful corner of the festival site dedicated to the wellbeing of the festival-goer. From lake swims to gong meditation, fresh juices and coconut water to yoga classes, this was a space of pure relaxation.

We Out Here is special as a result of its dedication to the full festival experience. Acts are painstakingly curated within a beautiful festival setting to create a genuinely positive atmosphere. It is a project that Gilles Peterson and his team continue to perfect: long may it continue.


Photo credit: Rob Jones