Festinho 2010: Rated!

Hinwick House, Hinwick, Bedfordshire - 27-29 August

United Kingdom | 31 August 2010

Mike Gatiss finds that Bedfordshire's Festinho is a festival that you will fall in love with.

Overall - 9/10
If your idea of a perfect festival is seeing the latest chart acts whilst getting thoroughly shedded in an all-out hedonist weekend, then Festinho isn't the one for you. If, on the other hand, you're pretty open to all kinds of music, are looking for a laid back, family friendly, relaxed weekend with a distinctly magical feel to it then Festinho has got it all. Since its inception as a garden party fundraiser for the Action for Brazilian Children Trust (ABC Trust), Festinho has grown into a festival you will fall in love with.

Getting there and back – 10/10
Getting to and from the festival is as easy as it can be. Free shuttle buses run regularly from the well-served train station in nearby Wellingborough, and those that prefer to travel by car have ample free parking right alongside the main festival site at Hinwick House. The car park only has one entrance/exit so it could get a little snarled at peak times.

The Site – 7/10
Unlike most festivals where you are directed from stage to stage with military precision, Festinho has a much more relaxed attitude to directing you around the site. Rather than being told where to go, there is limited signage with rough directions on, and you are encouraged to explore the grounds of Hinwick House. This exploration pays off as wandering through the woods leads to the discovery of The Woodland stage manned by a series of DJ's bringing back memories of the free rave party culture of the early nineties.

On a more practical note, the facilities are top notch: seven bars spread around the grounds meant that queuing was rarely necessary, more than enough toilets which were kept clean and were still useable late on Sunday night, and a good variety of food traders too. On the downside, the site does feel a little too spread out although this may be more to do with the fact that the new site for the festival increases the capacity to over 4,000. Lighting around the site was an issue as well, with seemingly random lighting in the woods adding to the magic of the site countered by a complete lack of lighting on the pathway into the main stage area.

Atmosphere – 10/10
The atmosphere at Festinho is what really makes for a special weekend. In many ways the garden party roots of Festinho are still present as well, with tea and cakes being served in Hinwick House for those that prefer a more elegant morning cuppa. There is however a distinctive sunny Brazilian vibe to Festinho, from the Capoeira troupe performing around the site and giving workshops so you can get involved, to the Caipirinha bar serving cocktails in the main arena. It's all about having fun and whether it is dressing up for this year's fancy dress theme (Peter Pan), or taking in a leisurely game of croquet, the crowds were definitely up for it.

Music – 9/10
Eclectic doesn't come close to describing the line up at Festinho, from the Irish Ceilidh sounds of Andy Lambert's Rockin' Bouzouki, to the pounding filthy bass-lines of Echaskech there is something for everyone here. Whether you like your Manchester indie rock (Paris Riots) or Californian old school hip hop (Ugly Duckling), you are sure to find plenty to keep you entertained and the quality of the artists on offer mean that even if you aren't a big fan of a particular style it's often worth checking out the bands anyway as you just might surprise yourself.

Uppers

The Correspondents - 10/10
If you've ever wondered what Fred Astaire mixed with a little jungle and a bucketful of drum n bass would turn out like, look no further than The Correspondents swing fuelled mash-ups. Fronted by the dazzling foot-work and blistering MC'ing of Mr Bruce working over some incredible mixing from Mr Chuckles, The Correspondents had the crowd bouncing in their wellies.

James Yuill - 10/10
Finding a more unlikely looking pop star than James Yuill would be a challenge too far, but don't let his brown slacks, beige shirt and brown tie all rounded off with a pair of glasses to perfect his Geography teacher look put you off. James' knob twiddling with occasional interruptions from the acoustic guitar slung over his shoulder results in some flawless pop that left the crowds grinning.

Echaskech - 10/10
Traditionally electronic dance bands belong in a tent to show off their talents, but these three put on a show that demands to be let loose. Soaring melodies and snarling bass lines build to a euphoric finish that had the crowd bouncing.

Ty - 10/10
Provocative, intelligent and ferocious on stage, UK Rapper Ty had the crowd in the palm of his hand and even had time to show his caring side to a young fan (see Random Events below).

Karl Phillips and the Midnight Ramblers - 10/10
Eyebrows were raised when Battle of the Bands winners and local heroes Karl Philips and the Midnight Ramblers were moved to the second headline slot on Sunday night but they justified their position and then some with a storming combination of rhymes, ska beats and guitar riffs.

Downers

British Sea Power - 6/10
Started out well but with all the passion of an England Friendly, felt more like a practice run for their Leeds appearance later this weekend.

Alucidnation - 5/10
Probably would have suited a sunset slot on a Balearic island but as the evening grew chilly, most people were left fidgeting.

International Observer - 6/10
Ex-Thompson Twins twiddler Tom Bailey was another victim of great tunes but the wrong time and place, sliding into a laidback ambient dubstep groove when most were in the mood to get up and dance wasn't the best bit of schedule planning.

Random Events
Lessons in Oral Hygiene from Ty midway through his set when a young fan admitted to not cleaning his teeth.