Deepdale Festival
Thank you Deepdale – you did it again. This is still my favourite festival of the year, and judging by the number of returning acts and audience members, everybody else's, too.
The North Norfolk coast provides some of the most idyllic views and landscapes in the whole of the UK. As someone who has lived in Norfolk for over thirty years, but grew up in Lowestoft, it was indeed a pleasure to return again to Burnham Deepdale, and to the Deepdale Festival.
Hosted by Deepdale Camping and Rooms in Burnham Deepdale, this annual music festival runs from Thursday evening until Sunday night, and packs in a full programme of live music, with acts drawn from the Norwich and Norfolk music scene, bolstered by some 'big-name' headliners and a stack of exciting 'ones to watch'. In fact, with that much music on offer there is very little time left to explore the surrounding countryside and coastline. Which is a shame. In a good way.
Deepdale is run by Jason Borthwick, Chris and Sheila Haycock, and their magnificent team, for whom nothing ever seems too much trouble. The entire site is kept impeccably clean, as are all the toilets and shower blocks. Well-behaved dogs are always welcome – they even get their own shower and water station!
And don't forget the chance for Star Gazing. The night skies at Deepdale are almost free of any light pollution, meaning that the experts from Kings Lynn and District Astronomy Society can provide you with a guided tour of the stars and planets with their telescopes up on Parson's Bush.
Anyway, back to the music.
Thursday
The festival opens with an acoustic set from Norfolk's Matt Watson (aka The Secret Helicopters). Matt visited Deepdale in 2017, during his fundraising coastal walk from Woodbridge to Hunstanton, and has released a new song, 'Life In Your Hands', to raise money for the testicular cancer charity, It's On The Ball.
In the Brick Barn, Cambridge-based Polly Paulusma and Mercury Prize nominated singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams perform their stunning Thursday night sets, with The Magic Numbers' Michele Stodart guesting on bass guitar.
Friday
The day potentially begins with yoga and singing bowls meditation for those with a spiritual mindset. I opt instead for two paracetamol, and a strong cup of coffee from The Nest.
Local acts performing during the day include The Larks, The Rhythm Travellers, The Browns, Anto Morra, Georgia Shackleton, and Alex Hawkins. Lowestoft's John Ward Trio perform a captivating set which includes songs from 'Congress', their musical project commemorating the visit of Buffalo Bill to Lowestoft in 1903. John also includes an incredible high-energy percussion solo on his bodhrán.
Newcastle's India Arkin delivers the first of two sets over the weekend – signed to HMV's '1921' label, her songs carry a powerful message, and there are moments when she reminds me of Anna Calvi. The majority of acts stick with traditional material or self-penned songs, but folk fusion act Good Habits include, within their set, innovative interpretations of Fatboy Slim's 'Praise You', and The Stone Roses' 'She Bangs The Drum'.
Jacob & Drinkwater, followed by Michele Stodart, bring the Orchard Stage to a close, whilst in the Brick Barn it is Bleeding Hearts followed by Morganway.
Saturday
Music begins in The Orchard at 11.45am with Bryter Than, a husband and wife team and their 12 year old son, Geno, who plays cajon and keyboards, and seems to have grown about six inches since last year. In the Courtyard, mandolin maestro Nic Zuppardi is joined by members of The Shackleton Trio, plus Christina Alden and Alex Patterson and double bass player Calum McKemmie, to play tracks from his acclaimed 'North Cape' album. The Brick Barn kicks off with The Tin Heart Troubadours, and is followed by The Joe Keeley Band.
Cobbler Bob's Adam Clark treats us to interpretations of traditional East Anglian folk songs in The Orchard, before brand new Norfolk super-group Kitewing (consisting of some very familiar faces) dazzle and soar with songs from their debut album. Celebrated singer-songwriter Chris Cleverley impresses before Bristol Balkan-beat quartet Cut Throat Francis close The Orchard with a packed-out, all-standing, all-dancing, high-energy headlining set.
Over in the Courtyard it is a delight to see Norwich singer-songwriter Jess Morgan back at Deepdale, especially as she includes 'Annie of Greyfriars', my all-time favourite song of hers, in the setlist.
Saturday in the Brick Barn ends with headliners The Leisure Society, my first time of hearing them live. They have released six albums since 2009, and remind me rather of Fleet Foxes. With pencils and an overhead projector, celebrated artist and illustrator Chris Riddell produces drawings, in real time, for every song performed during the set. These are later sold, with the proceeds donated to the 'It's On The Ball' charity. Chris also created pencil sketches of Chris Cleverley and Jess Morgan during their sets, leaving the finished works for them at the front of the stage.
Sunday
It is Sunday already, and once again, I turn to the restorative powers of caffeine over yoga and singing bowls to kickstart my morning. The food stalls are enticing, and the sour dough pizzas make for an excellent brunch. The bar is provided by David and Rachel Holliday and the team from Moon Gazer, and their range of award-winning ales are all inspired and named after types of hare, and keep me refreshed throughout the weekend. My favourite was the Cheeky Jack (formerly known as White Face but tactfully renamed this year to avoid any possible offence). It is a lush and fruity IPA (abv 5.0%) and, like all their ales at Deepdale this year, was priced at a very reasonable £4 per pint. In October, David will be pushing a 75kg beer barrel 186 miles over seven days, the equivalent of a full Marathon on each day. He aims to raise £35000 for the 'It's On The Ball' charity. Please help him to smash that target by logging on to:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/BeerPushIOTB
Sunday morning in The Orchard is once again curated by East Anglian musician Alton Wahlberg, and this year he brings along singer songwriters Phoebe Austin and Brooke Telling, and the impressive jangle-folk duo, False Colours. Later in the day we get to experience the music of Sakaash (featuring Niki Gregory); the truly incredible Amelia Coburn (a real highlight of the weekend for me, and a name to remember). Her cover of 'Life On Mars' receives a great reaction, especially the line ''from Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads''.
Liverpool singer-songwriter Robert Vincent also gets a big Deepdale reception, before The Orchard's closing act for 2023 – Mishra, a virtuosic musical collective that first met in Sheffield, and include Indian tabla and calabash amongst their instruments.
In the Courtyard we enjoy daytime sets from Fakenham duo Peddars Way; colourful Latin and Bluegrass quartet Dali's House; the inimitable Chad Mason, and also the second of two Toast poetry sessions from Lewis Buxton and Daisy Henwood.
Bring Me The Hearts and Brian Stone & The Masters of None warm up the Brick Barn, ahead of India Electric Co., a band who first became a favourite of mine Folk East back in 2017, and who, predictably, raise the barn roof with their magnificent closing set to Deepdale Festival 2023.
Thank you Deepdale – you did it again. This is still my favourite festival of the year, and judging by the number of returning acts and audience members, everybody else's, too.
Until 2024, then...
