Standon Calling

Katie Parsons - Globetrotting Guide for the Trident Perpetual Festival

Having just returned from a weekend of mad raving rowdiness at Global Gathering, it was with a satisfied exhale and sunny smile that I walked into the calm and happy fields of Standon Calling. Featuring a huge range of music over the course of its (all too brief) three days - and housing everything from a weeny cinema, to swimming pool, book shop and fancy dress shop within its hedges - Standon Calling was the perfect antidote to the large-scale intensity of the summer's bigger events.

Day One kicked off with Road To Standon competition entries Klezma Villanova - a gypsy punk explosion from south London who courageously endeavored to get feet stomping as opening performers of the festival fun. The same tent played host later in the day to the curiously bizarre Bo Ningen, riotous Canadian punk of F**cked Up and the Filthy Duke DJs. Over on the main stage, Liars took the headline slot with a hip-shaking set of crowd pleasers, while over in Camp Alactraz - night turned back into day with floor shaking beats courtesy of Eddie Temple-Morris and DJ Tayo.

Saturday started with some live karaoke in the circular Crooked House followed by some swing dance fun with Benoit And His Orchestra. Over by the pool, Push It Good provided a sublime DJ set for sunbathers and those enjoying the installed underwater speakers. Main stage played host to the fantastic Alice Russell, with her grand soulful pipes reverberating around the grassy surroundings. The Magic Numbers bopped to a packed house later that night, with the face-painted Fabulous Penetrators attracting some curious passers by once they were done. Etienne De Crecy (and his giant flashing cube) took the headline slot of the night, by which point the tasty local brew served from the tree bar had settled enough for some serious dancing.

The final day began with a swim (preceded by a united game of frisbee across heads of those already in the pool) and a - festival first! - community dog show. With the sun shining, I camped out at the main stage for the day delving into the worldwide tunes of Fool's Gold, Phenomenal Handclap Band and Efterklang - each receiving a gleefully smily reaction from those of us dancing and prancing down at the front. While some went and sampled the poetic curiosities of Jeffrey Lewis back at the Crooked House, the majority of weekenders grabbed their glasses of rose and snuggled up for the classy, flawless Cuban delights of Buena Vista Social Club. Come 11pm, those still on site retired to the tree bar for gentle conversation - and the odd late-night wiggle to some dodgy r'n'b.

With a friendly atmosphere, amazing setting, original line-up and intimate surroundings, Standon Calling was one of the most enjoyable weekends of the year.

Next week, I am off to Paris for Rock En Seine, then Bestival, Ibiza, Cape Town and more. To follow my international festival adventures, or to win tickets to join me somewhere in the world, check out www.tridentgum.co.uk.

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