Our FAULTless long-time readers will no doubt know that FAULT look forward to attended Secret Garden Party each and every year and we have never before been disappointed. Unsurprisingly, we once again travelled up to Abbots Ripton for the annual festival of wonders and we are proud to announce that we once again had an amazing weekend at the festival. This year’s theme was ‘back to school’ and while most rainy school days were spent in-doors watching ‘Lady and the Tramp’ on VHS and a selection of dusty puzzles missing more than just a few pieces; we weren’t to be deterred by a bit of drizzle so we ventured out to make the most of the magical weekend.

You would be forgiven by thinking there was a step back from the “larger names” in music from 2014. Last year’s lineup included legends such as – Public Enemy and Martha Reeves who are already international stars and recognisable by music lovers young and old. Even the more contemporary Foxes was and is becoming a widely known name amongst popular music fans. However we would argue that this year’s lineup is not a step back, but if anything, befitting the theme ‘back to school’. We too ventured out to the festival knowing less acts by name than last year proving that even we were in need of some much needed music education from the head gardener but we were willing and ready to accept.

That being said the great stage did not disappoint this year! Arriving on Friday we just caught FAULT Favourite Lianne La Havas making her appearance on ‘The Great Stage’. Belting out tracks from her latest album ‘Blood’, the crowds truly went wind. However Lianne wasn’t the only act to pack the stage area despite the downpour. Kate Tempest, Service Public Broadcasting, Jack Garratt also had the crowd screaming and headliners Jungle played us into a night of whimsy.

If you’ve ever been to SGP you’ll no doubt know that when the great stage ends, the night truly begins! New to this year, SGP introduced it’s 24 hour stage in ‘Toad Hall’  which had the tunes rocking all night. After making the rounds from to ‘The Drop’, Labyrinth, Little Horrors, Gay Bar and all the other famous SGP haunts, we ended our night lindy-hopping inside The Living Room tent. It must be said that this was our favourite music tent this year. Introducing us to so many fantastic previously unknown artists.

Of course the daytimes aren’t all about nursing hangovers – SGP and their sale partners also offered a large range of funky stalls to be explored. They have a kid’s area for gardeners who decided to bring their children along for a slice of the magic. Also present was Blue Tit salons who were providing festive hair cuts and trimming. It’s always great to see boutique salons were getting down with the experience.

Saturday evening gardeners were treated to an amazing fireworks display overhead. Like seriously, it was amazing. The evening sky lit up and much like the joy we experienced in our school days, we all cheered forgetting the rain of the night before and the tough mud beneath our feet and just got into it. There’s nothing like a few lights in the sky to start off another great night. Honne, Temples and The Cat Empire took to the main stage this day and it was another awesome night of music and partying with our fellow gardeners.

On the third day, most pulled themselves form their tents to taste the last bit of magic in the air. The main stage was rife with great acts this day such as Lail Arad,  Caravan Palace and the legendary Pluto Shervington. Gentleman’s Dub Club took to the stage after years playing at various other smaller tents and pulled off a great performance. Their excitement spilled out into the crowd and energised their stage presence – it was great to see that they had finally earned their stripes and proved that they could take on a feat such as a large festival stage.

Photo: Miles Holder

Of course we stuck around for the paint fight – the annual event which takes place at the festival. Paint was flung out, laughs were had and for another year running we licked our painted wounds (not advisable) as The Correspondents took to the stage followed by Roots Manuva, David Rodigan and leading us into the evening was electro 6-piece Caravan Palace.

All good things must come to an end and the annual burning of the monument was upon us. Battered by rain and weary from traipsing through thick and wet mud for 2 days straight we mustered together all the energy we had left for one last magical evening.

Another year and another successful SGP conquered, we are eagerly awaiting news on next years theme! We’ll no doubt be there for another weekend of glory.