Big Chill at Eastnor Castle in Ledbury tickets and event info

Big Chill at Eastnot Castle - 1st-3rd of August 

 

The three-day event is ironically held on the hottest day of the year in the Eastnor Castle Deer Park which provides an idyllic and relaxing backdrop for ‘Chillers’ to enjoy the Glastonbury-esque creativity and craziness.

Two main outdoor stages host live acts over the weekend while the themed DJ bars further a field host some of the coolest mixoligists. The festival’s most distinctive feature is the arts trail that snakes high up a steep hill; it’s a fantastic spectacle when the stars come out and an apt symbol of the boundaries organisers have broken.

Don’t expect to recognise many of the acts unless you’ve been before, but don’t fret because the anti-genre pigeonholing policy the organisers employ means there is something for everybody.

 

New for 2008 are 'The Big Warm' with storytelling and song around campfires; the 'Moonlit Picture House', a late night, outdoor cinema with short and feature films; a comedy tent wiuth a line-up of established and up-&-coming comics; 'Words in Motion' is expanding, bringing more poetry and storytelling; A Victorian Fun Fair; and children's playground within the Family campsite to give little'uns a space to play close to home.

This year, also sees The Big Chill creating spaces for even more art, film, comedy and literature at the festival, with their four partners.

The ICA (Institute of Contempoary Arts) offer festival goers a selection of ICA films and specially-curated art and music collaborations.

The BFI present an audio-visual, genre-defying film and music experience in the Media Mix tent including audio-visual collective Exceeda who make a return to The Big Chill with a fresh production and The Light Surgeons.

Underbelly are providing laughs with the 'Underbelly Comedy Area' which houses a new comedy tent.

Writers for Big Chill include, Doug Johnstone – The Ossians, Joe Dunthorne – Submarine, Paul Kingsnorth – Real England, Toby Litt – I play the drums in a band called OKAY, and Neil Boorman – Bonfire of the Brands. Poets confirmed for 2008 include Jean Binta Breeze, Lemn Sissay, Zena Edwards, Byron Vincent, Joseph Coehio, Salena Godden, Shane Solanki, Nikesh Shukia, Ventriloquist, Ex Central Tempest, Last Mango in Paris, Martin Stannage, David Neita, and Elvis McGonagall amongst others.

Big Chill have also released details of their Kids Stuff programme. Violinist Ara Malikian presents 'My First Four Seasons' guiding kids through the classical Vivaldi piece in a highly entertaining way. James Campbell will host a proper 'Comedy Club 4 Kids' with suitable content. Plus, for big and little kids alike, John Hegley has a special show 'Festival Creatures'.

The famous Camden venue, the Roundhouse, increases the entertainment available by adding performances in the new Roundhouse Big Round Tent, as well as adding a programme of creative projects for 13 - 25 year olds. These include workshops for aspiring musicians, artist and media producers and will be incorporating film, singing/songwriting and MC-ing. Plus, there's the chance to make special radio broadcasts for Big Chill Radio. For young artists there is also graffiti and photography projects. Note, that under 18's must accompanied by an adult.

On-site facilities include a shop selling groceries & newspapers, bars, food stalls, merchandise stalls, cash point machine and a 24 hour cafe amongst other things. Alcohol cannot be brought into the main arena but is  permitted in the camping areas (but NO GLASS!).

 

Line-Up:

 

• Unspecified Stage
  • The Mighty Boosh
  • Norman Jay
  • Thievery Corporation
  • Random Dance
  • The Portico Quartet
  • Bill Bailey
  • Jilted John
  • Orchestra Baobab
  • Plaid
  • Rachel Unthank and the Winterset
  • Bomb The Bass
  • Noise Of Art
  • The Light Surgeons
  • Exceeda
  • Fujiya and Miyagi
  • John Shuttleworth
  • Little Dragon
  • Múm
  • Nina Nastasia
  • Trentmoller
  • Buzzcocks
  • Hot 8 Brass Band
  • Fat Freddy's Drop
  • John Metcalfe
  • Vincent Vincent & The Villains
  • Roisin Murphy
  • Hot Chip
  • Alabama 3
  • Lust Faust
  • African Head Dance
  • African Head Charge
  • Federico Aubele
  • Peatbog Faeries
  • Spring Heel Jack and Evan Parker
• Comedians
  • Rob Rouse
  • Ida Barr
  • Al Pitcher
  • Jarred Christmas
  • Pete Cain
  • Dave Johns
  • Ed Petrie
  • Howard Read
  • Alistair Barrie
  • Susan Murray
  • Jeff Innocent
  • Jonathan Mayor
• Word In Motion Tent
  • Apples And Snakes 'two five' Celebration
  • Robin Ince
  • Ben Goldacre
  • Club de Fromage present Sports Night
  • Perverse Universe's Victorian Freak Show
• Kid's Stuff
  • Ara Malikian presents 'My First Four Seasons'
  • Scamp Theatre and Steve Tiplady
  • John Hegley presents Festival Creatures
  • Comedy Club 4 Kids
• Club Tent
  • Roots Manuva
  • Shaanti Sound System
  • DJ Krush
  • DJ Joe Claussell
  • Benji B

Sunday

• Main Stage
  • Leonard Cohen