In a time before Wilderness, festivals took place in large fields, not a forest or feast in sight…
No tranquil oasis offering you an early morning swim or a late opportunity to learn. No other festival offered the magic of fairy lights in trees, of a weekend immersed not just in mud, but also culture, ambition, art and a real feeling of heading back to the past whilst simultaneously towards the future.
Now, four years since its conception, the steel fences of typical festivals have been gently rolled back and a calm, beautiful hubbub of tranquility, music and togetherness opens its doors to the public once more.
Wilderness Festival’s parents are an unlikely pairing, a marriage of the creative teams behind the Secret Garden Party and Lovebox. As with all great partnerships, this was a collation of reciprocal talents- one side bringing a passion to build transformative experiences, and the other bringing a deep love of artistry and artisans.
In it’s half a decade lifespan, Wilderness has experienced sunshine, expansion and creative exploration, with everything from French Street Theatre companies to Secret Cinema and Michelin Star Chef’s coming together to create an unforgettable experience.
Now with even more acres of land to camp on, more artists to grace the stages and more activites to immerse yourself in, you can truly lose yourself in the atmosphere. Performances will be seen from the likes of Bjork, George Clinton and Ben Howard, with globally acclaimed, Michelin-starred chefs like Angela Hartnett, Nuno Mendes and James Knappett whipping up a true culinary storm.
Activities will be available from the likes of Intelligence Squared, the V&A museum, the Sunday Assembly and leading London theatre from the ground-breaking Foolish People, Opera Holland Park, Battersea Arts Centre and Old Vic New Voices.
In terms of music, 2015 is set to be the biggest year yet, with some of the hottest up and coming artists all on board. . 21 year old Icelandic sensation Asgeir will enchant crowds with his beautifully melancholic songs and unusual poetry, while, on the other end of the geographic spectrum, Sahara Desert native Bombino will dazzle with his particular brand of world music meets rock and roll soul. XL Recordings will also deliver an exhilarating one-two punch, with two of their hottest new artists in the form of Southport electronic virtuoso Lapsley and disco funk princeling Shamir, hailing from Las Vegas. Legendary dance pioneer Damien Lazarus & The Ancient Moons will be also be appearing at Cornbury Park this year. Rounding up the main stage are CC Smugglers, self-made showmen who worked their way up from young street performers to playing some of the biggest venues and festivals in Europe.
The Hidden Valley will see a roll call of the finest DJ talent, including world renouned Tom Middleton and mythical DJ Harvey. and for those who want a more relaxed vibe, there is a deliciously varied buffet of folk bands on offer at the Travelling Folk barn. These include the Eastern European vibes of The Turbans to the beat Pop melodies of the Buffalo Skinners. The Carousel Stage welcomes a weird and wonderful roster of diverse musical marvels, including the Brass Funkeys and Voodoo Love Orchestra amongst many others. And if you are looking for more blues-style music, head to The Juke Joint for a line-up filled with the hottest blues talent such as Big Joe Louis, whose collaborative history spans from Muddy Waters to Van Morrison, are sure to enthrall with their take on down-home Chicago blues. From Chicago to New Orleans, Piano auteur Diz and The Doormen evoke a potent gumbo of Barrel House, Rhythm and Blues and boogie-woogie, whilst Errol Linton’s raw Brixton inspired blues offers an invigorated guise on a defining genre.
So, if you are on the lookout for a festival that is so much more than a festival, a festival that brings back culture, nature and life, look no further than Wilderness Festival.
Wilderness is the proud winner of: Best New Festival 2011 – UK Festival Awards, Best Small Festival 2012 – Live Music Awards and Best Extra Activity for 2013 – UK Festival Awards.
Wilderness Festival
August 6 – 9th 2015
Cornbury Park
Oxfordshire
Weekend Tickets: £175
Children aged 10 and under: £5
All tickets available
