Knockengorroch World Ceilidh 2014

Hello Beautiful People!

The lovely Bethany and I got home from the Knochengorroch World Ceilidh 2014 nearly a week ago and I am yet to readjust to ‘normal’ society. My body is still in state of shock from 4 days of non-stop of dancing, festival food and next to no sleep. My back is still suffering from my thermorest dying on the first night, I’m still bearing the bruises from the Sunday afternoon Ceilidh (that Strip-the-Willow was pretty violent) and my brain is still trying to determine whether the insane journey in the back of a carpet van with 20 odd other soaking wet people plus luggage actually happened or not. But more on that later.

Despite, the battering my body has received, Knock has been, without a doubt, the highlight of my year so far and it’s going to take something pretty freaking awesome to knock (no pun intended) it off top spot.The festival is situated in a natural amphitheatre in the middle of Galloway. The location is stunningly remote; you can’t even see any electricity pylons. It’s heavenly. With a comparatively small attendance of around 3000 people, Knock feels less like a festival a more like the friendliest and most likeminded village community you could dream up.

I could go on for days about how amazing Knock is, but I thought I’d spare you that and instead just tell you about some of my highlights from the weekend.

The Longhouse

There are a number of different tents and stages at Knock, but my favourite is the Longhouse. A reconstruction of a traditional Celtic building, it’s the perfect venue for a variety of intimate acoustic sets. As well as acoustic sets from main stage acts, the Longhouse is also a fantastic way of coming across less well known musicians. The intimate environment allows for the opportunity to talk to artist before, after and during the performance, which is always lovely. My favourite Longhouse acts this year were Awry, Kim Wheeler and Many Shades of Jo (who has really made me want to buy an autoharp!).

Vocal Workshops

Every morning at the Knock there are loads of activities and workshops to get involved in. Bethany and I love the singing sessions as they are the perfect way to start the day. They are run by the lovely Chandra Mather who runs workshops and projects all over the place and is the reason I decided to get involved in community music. Her enthusiasm and love for the songs she teaches is really infectious. She taught us a variety of African and Scottish songs (with accompanying actions) and we all sounded so good that we got asked to be part of the musical bridal procession for…

The Wedding (!!)

I’d never been to a wedding before and now any others I attend have a lot to live up too! The animal themed wedding took place on the hillside and all the official guests dressed as their spirit animal whist the unofficial guests (like us) were each given a mask to wear. Bride and Groom, Robyn and Davva looked resplendent as the White Hart and the Lone Wolf retrospectively. The ceremony was beautiful with lots of music, singing and lovely readings. When the ceremony had ended all the guests were invited to take one of the painted stones that were decorating the hillside as a memento of the marriage. I felt privileged to be able to be part of such a lovely occasion.

Blue Hair

I couldn’t resist get in the festival spirit and having a mess around with some blue dye. I loved it and am really tempted to make it a permanent thing.

Ceilidh

I’m still supporting the bruises from this madness! Every Sunday afternoon at Knock there is a Ceilidh held in the Shieling tent and it is chaotically mental. There had to be nearly two hundred people taking part, there were circles within circles, sets merging into other sets, lost partners all of the places, the most complex spiral dance I’ve ever seen and the longest Strip-the-Willow I’ve been part of (both time-wise and people-wise, so many bruises!). I love a good Ceilidh and the chaos and danger element make this one, one of the best.

Main Stage Highlights

There were so many awesome people playing in the main stage, but my particular favourites were Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Henderson, DubPistols, Kan and Bombskare. Victorian Trout Conspiracy especially were INSANE. We caught the end of their set last year and made sure we were there for the whole thing this time round. Their blend of funk, rock and ska is just phenomenal. It’s impossible not to dance when they start playing.

Crazy Van Ride

Knock lay on huge coaches to take people back to the station once the festival has ended and this year, Bethany and I decided to give them a go. The coaches are too big to make in down the 6 miles of off road track to the festival site, so people were being ferried up to the main road in the back of a carpet van. Unfortunately, the heaven’s opened that morning and we were caught in a torrential downpour which soaked everything. Sharing the darkened back of van with 20 odd soaking people and their luggage as the van bounced its way up a very uneven road was one of the stranger experiences of the weekend. It did feel slightly like we were being trafficked out of the country, but it is all part of the strange and mental Knock experience.

Lots of love to this lovely lady for making a mental weekend even better!

Knockengorroch has a way of making you re-evaluate your life. The further you drive down the winding, bumpy, farm track towards the village of tents, the more of your worries disappear. By the time you’ve stuck the tent up and cracked open the first can of cider, if feels like the weight of the world has been lifted from your shoulders. Knock is one of the least judgemental environments I’ve ever been, all anyone there cares about it that you’re enjoying the music and having a good time. For three days nothing else matter and I love it for that.

Let me know in the comments what festivals plans you’ve all made for over the summer. What are favourites? Which would you love to go to if travel and money where no object? Share the festival love people!

You can check out some more of my Knock pics here!

Love

S

Xxx