Pack up your tent (From Swindon Advertiser)

Pack up your tent

8:54am Thursday 5th August 2010 in

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MUSIC fans from Swindon and beyond will be descending on a field on the outskirts of Malmesbury this weekend.

Fieldview is a small and independent festival, held in Little Somerford, which is run by brothers Dan and James Cameron.

The not-for-profit event, which is now in its fourth official year, sees local acts as well as others from around the country taking to the stage and is run on the principle that “things are always better done yourself”.

Last year was a sell-out so this year’s event, which runs from tomorrow until Sunday, has seen the capacity grow to 1000 – and tickets are selling fast.

Festival goers will be able to enjoy performances by more than 40 acts, including Swindon’s own Old School Tie and Napoleon In Rags, as well as being involved in activities such as tai chi and singing workshops, viewing live art installations and taking part in interactive theatre pieces.

The event will be headlined by MC Xander, from London.

“Fieldview Festival has grown from a small garden party in our back garden to an incredible intimate grassroots festival,” said the brothers.

“It started way back around the year 2000 with the annual Cameron brother summer party growing to a six band late night party with DJs until midnight by 2006.

“On this night, nearly 200 people turned up, including the local police and environmental health, to join the party, and the parents quite rightly said the party was now too big for the modest semi detached garden.”

The festival moved to its current site in 2007, thanks to the kindess of a local family, and has continued to grow since then.

Gates open at noon tomorrow and the entertainment starts at 4pm. The music finishes on Saturday night and camping for the whole weekend is encouraged.

“Fieldview is a festival that offers a space for all to be creative and to experience new art forms,” they added.

“All of this is brought to you in an attempt to offer an alternative to the big bad corporate festivals that empty your purse.”

Tickets cost £20 and car parking costs £2. The organisers invite people to be environmentally friendly and share lifts where possible.

All money raised from the event will go to charity. Last year’s festival raised £1350 for Wateraid.

Festival goers are advised that there is no bar or cash point on site, so to come prepared. However, there will be a number of food and drinks outlets on site selling local homemade food. For more information on the festival log on to www.fieldviewfestival.co.uk/2010