Live Review

Summer Sundae – De Montfort Hall And Gardens, Leicester

• 25th Aug 2010

The delights that we know of the British summer certainly set upon us whilst pitching our tent next to Regents college for Leicester’s 10th Summer Sundae festival. The fact two 25 year old university graduates couldn’t figure out how to pitch a pop up tent (or what the ropes were for or were part of) did certainly entertain onlookers as they smugly sat snugly in their tents as my friend Mel and I slid about in the mud and rain trying to work it out. After a telephone call to a highly amused boyfriend, the new home for the weekend was done and we were ready to sink through the mud to the music.

Despite the hideous, constantly changing weather, it didn’t appear to dampen the spirits of those attending. On entering the beautiful grounds of De Montfort Hall there was an intimate feel to the layout, as everything was a stones throw away and you immediately felt safe. There was a large colourful sign saying ‘Welcome’ and arrows pointing to all the festival surprises. First thing we saw were some sculptures, there was an intriguing cluster of red buckets that looked like huge lips, then there was a carved sand statue that over the three days we saw emerge into a man playing a guitar and lastly was a recycled statue promoting Summer Sundae with the aid of tin cans. Everything appeared artsy and creative, possibly because Leicester prides itself for being a cultural city and their signature festival certainly did emphasise that title, their ‘Garden’ arena near the entrance to the main hall and was full of creative flare. Offering hula hooping, knitting, an Oxjam table, giant lobsters, an arts workshop and the best little tea shop in the world (personal opinion from a heavy tea drinker!) It was a cute, kitsch setting nuzzled amongst the music… perfect for a short break from the main festival. There were other interesting bits to do such as visiting the comedy tent and for us a fab highlight was singing along to Grease with everyone else whilst watching it on the big screen on Sunday morning, later followed by a choir singing popular chart tracks, as folk sat sipping tea and eating cakes.

The music majority tended to fall under the ‘indie rock’ genre with a few bands and artists stranding off from this. Some technical hitches to start but soon all was fixed and into full swing, the weather didn’t discourage festival goers from having some fun. After a miserable first two days the weather did certainly pick up. Blasting onto stage was Ninja supporting her crazy afro and showing off her freestyle vocals for Go! Team as she strutted about the stage. There were reggae sounds booming out of the musician stage tent from El Pussycat, which got everyone dancing and singing along to some priceless covers.

The festival offered a variety of headliners such as Seasick Steve, Tinchy Stryder and most anticipated was Mumford & Sons. These four boys graced the stage admitting this was their first time to headline, but soon got the crowd cheering with their engaging happy-go-lucky folk sound. We did find it hard to split our time as a band (old as the festival) were getting crowds to ‘Bouncy Bounce’ as they called it to their track ‘Skip to the End’, it was of course the Futureheads who, were on at the same time. These four guys definitely know how to please a crowd and went into their set all guns blazing ready to amaze with their obvious talents.

Personally for a festival virgin or for parents allowing their teens to scamper off to their first festival , this is a great stepping stone.
It’s inoffensive, small so there can’t be much trouble, no sign of any naughty behaviour and some local low key bands mixed in with some good headliners.

From a previous Glastonbury goer this little festival is certainly on par, with music, comedy and arts it pulls the weekend into that direction. Providing some fantastic family, teen, young person and older generation harmless entertainment and fun. Ten points!