It’s been a long time since we’ve been allowed to enjoy live music at a decent volume, in a big old field surrounded by other people; but Stendhal Festival at Ballymully Cottage Farm in Limavady (NI’s first music festival in 16 months) made that wait worth every single second.
I can’t even imagine the stress that goes into organising a music festival, never mind the stress that goes into organising a socially distant, covid-19 guidance compliant music festival, but somehow the Stendhal Team have done a smashing job. At less than a quarter of the usual capacity, the festival managed to feel very safe and well spaced out, but it still retained that festival vibe that only comes from an eclectic mix of people coming together (but not too close!) to enjoy some music and a good time.
This was my first experience of the more ‘family orientated’ aspects of the festival as my wife and I took our 9 month old twin boys along with us for the Saturday of the festival, and I have to say that we all had a blast. From the wooden crafted forest games, to the welfare area and nursing/feeding space, it’s clear to see why Stendhal has won awards for its family-friendly atmosphere. There’s also Zero Waste stations for recycling, water refill points, and reusable beer cups meaning that for the first time ever at a festival, I didn’t see a single bit of rubbish thrown down in the grass.
Having the babies with us meant that we didn’t get to stay for the nighttime bands such as General Fiasco, Beauty Sleep and And So I Watch You From Afar, but we did get to enjoy all sorts of great local music during the day such as Derry band Cherym‘s infectious energy on the Karma Stage, Derry singer Reevah‘s dulcet tones on the family stage, and indie folk duo Laytha whose haunting harmonies provided the perfect chilled out vibe at the Henry McCullough Stage.
What an amazing comeback for NI music after a very frustrating and unwanted hiatus, anyone want to do it again on 12 – 14 August?!
