NOZSTOCK THE HIDDEN VALLEY 2023 - THE EXPERIENCE
October 22nd 2023
On the 20th of July, ravers and revellers descended on the Nosworthy farm for the 25th anniversary of the beloved festival, for a weekend of incredible music, wholesome family fun and a much needed stomp in the mud.
It felt like quite a privilege attending Nozstock: with an atmosphere of a private family party nestled into the valleys of a farm, although the attendees spans across thousands of punters from the UK and even further afield.
It’s a place to broaden your vision when it comes to music, with each stage showcasing nothing short of pure class and excellence. With 10 stages to choose from, there wasn’t a moment where the performing acts did not deliver. You’ll see ska, dub and reggae, 140, garage, drum and bass, trance, indie rock, folk, bassline, hiphop, and everything else that fits in-between.
The weekend championed independent and underground artists, with a prominent booking pattern of musicians from Bristol demonstrating what talent is and has emerged from the South West. Another key note was the quality of the sound systems that accompanied each stage. As festivals are usually hindered by strict sound regulations, sometimes resulting in a quieter stage than desired. Although, we were pleasantly surprised. Each system was just as full and weighty as the next, a comfortable volume, yet enough to make you feel all warm and nice inside.
It felt like quite a privilege attending Nozstock: with an atmosphere of a private family party nestled into the valleys of the family farm, although the family spans across thousands of punters from the UK and even further afield.
It’s a place to broaden your vision when it comes to music, with each stage showcasing nothing short of pure class and excellence. With 10 stages to choose from, there wasn’t a moment where the acts performing did not deliver. You’ll see ska, dub and reggae, 140, garage, drum and bass, trance, indie rock, folk, bassline, hiphop, and everything else that fits in-between.
The weekend championed independent and underground artists, with a prominent booking pattern of musicians from Bristol demonstrating what talent is and has emerged from the South West. Another key note was the quality of the sound systems that accompanied each stage. As festivals are usually hindered by strict sound regulations, sometimes resulting in a quieter volume than desired. Although, we were pleasantly surprised. Each system was just as full and weighty as the next, a comfortable volume, yet enough to make you feel all warm and nice inside.
Putting the music to aside, the atmosphere of the punters is really what stood out for us. No hostility, no complaining and no moaning, even when the rain almost washed away the entire site. There was almost a festival of two halves, the ravers and nightlifers, and then the families and daytime workshop participants. Despite the difference, neither felt out of place. In fact, I think they both complimented each other to make the festival what it is.
Before you venture into the main arena, the festival seemed to hide away. All the stages and venues hid behind corners, leaving you to explore all the nooks and crannies to see what you may stumble across next. The valleys that circled the plot made for picturesque scenery, with little ponds and a forest of trees that keep you hidden away from the outside world.
After three days dodging the rain and getting familiar with the hills of Nosworthy farm, I felt blessed to have witnessed the display of music that I came across. Our eardrums were truly spoilt, as were all our senses. From the Thursday through to the Sunday, the selection of bookings was well thought out and each act fitted seamlessly into the unique atmosphere this festival holds.
Amongst all the music that spans each dip and crevice of the farm hills, the Altered State was where you went to carve wooden mushrooms or peddle bikes to blend fruit for smoothies. There was a lot going on: forging, book making, and DJ workshops to name a few. The world at Nozstock is quite surreal: carve a mushroom, walk past a fire show to DoCa for Primary School Assembly Bangers by James B Partridge. On one side of the festival you have ravers sweating buckets in the Cubicles to Andy C, and on the other you’ve got families belting out the words to Spring Chicken.
DoCa, or Department of Cultural Affairs, hosted acts ranging from topical discussion, puppet shows and standup comedy.
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
DJ RAGGO w/ CPMND
An unexpected link up was seen on The Garden Stage on Friday afternoon, with Bristol/London-based selector, DJ Raggo, bringing a classy selection of big and bad breaksy garage. Kemestry, Wundrop and Vitamin G from Brighton-based hiphop collective, CPMND, brought that freestyle flavour, and really set the levels for the rest of the weekend.
CHICKEN PICNIC
The Garden Stage welcomed the 5-piece neo-soul group, Chicken Picnic, and their ludicrously laidback jazzy sound was also very much welcomed by myself and the rest of the revellers around me. It was unexpected, I was caught by the RnB tones, the bluesy keys and the band’s cohesiveness as a beautiful sound making machine.
BINBAG WISDOM SOUNDSYSTEM w/ DR SYNTAX
Genre-bending yet hiphop focused band from Bristol, Binbag Wisdom, joined the Nozstock lineup with both MCs, Durbrain and MC Binbag, bringing the lyricism and wordplay to beats provided by Mr Fitz. The Bristol boys create an original sound, with a DIY and folk style take on hiphop, with jazzy cuts and a punk attitude. Their set was only elevated when renowned UK hiphop name, Dr Syntax, brought his own spoken style to the microphone.
SWEETBOY SOUND
Hereford-based events brand, Sweetboy Sound, provided an eclectic mix in underground flavours, rinsed out The Elephant’s Graveyard Stage on Friday to start off the weekend for a four hour takeover - 11am to 3pm. The takeover saw a clean cut selection of jungle and, to my surprise, a lovely array of 140 head bangers and face slappers.
EVA LAZARUS
Friday afternoon saw a true masterclass in stage presence from the almighty Eva Lazarus. The Bristol-based artist delivered everything you would hope for to the sunny Orchard Stage, bringing a journey of silky smooth dub and RnB mixed up with the big bass stompy numbers. Eva came through with the classics such as ‘Babylon Raid’ and ‘Amsterdam’, to her more recent releases on Melonskin Records, like ‘I’m On My Way’ and ‘How Am I Looking?’. The set was quite mesmerising really, and there also included a little impromptu acapella session, so what more could you ask for?
Whether you’re looking for a chill weekend or a not so chill weekend, Nozstock has it covered. Tickets for next year are available now, be sure to get them soon Early Bird and Tier 1 are sold out already. If this year is anything to go by, we’re all going to be in for a treat.
Tickets for 2024 are available now:
https://ww2.theticketsellers.co.uk/tickets/nozstock-the-hidden-valley-2024/10056735
Nozstock the Hidden Valley: