Festival No.6: Generally unpretentious and impossible not to enjoy

It’s easy to be swayed by the fact that Festival No.6 keeps winning awards, its views of the estuary and the fairy-tale nature of its setting: the mock Italian village of Portmeirion. However, it could be argued that 2014 did not sport as mouth-watering a line-up as last year, despite plenty to interest even the most well-versed music fanatic.

Of the big players, Bonobo excelled, rousing an eager crowd to boiling point with rising brass, superbly crafted electronic beats and velvet vocals from new collaborator Szjerdine. Jon Hopkins mesmerised a packed i Stage with the layering tease of ÔÇÿOpen Eye SignalÔÇÖ and a heart-stopping progressive bass composition.┬áA particular highlight were the (ex BBC) Radiophonic Workshop. Relative newcomers to live performance, they gave a fascinated audience a taste of early synthesised British music that served to inspire a sense of fear and wonder, despite the old-fashioned compositions.

Patrick Wolf in contrast disappointed despite his talent, halting songs half way through and forgetting lyrics seemingly due to a frankly unprofessional attitude. Luckily this was not to be repeated by consummate professional Nenneh Cherry who powered through her set with almost aggressive enthusiasm despite admitting having felt ‘fluey’ on the drive up. Take note Mr Wolf.

Of lesser-known acts, blues-rock duo ÔÇÿWalkÔÇÖ impressed, rocking a woodland stage in the vein of the Black Keys or, maybe more accurately, Hanni el Khatib, driving an early afternoon mob to flatten the leaf litter. Also worthy of mention was Welsh wonder R Seiliog, drenching the Estuary stage in raw, old-fashioned distortion and chunky riffs, rolling as much as rocking, and delighting an enthralled crowd.

Yet these performances, among others, however awe-inspiring, did not make this festival what it is. We must take into account the idyllic mountainous surroundings and the welcoming nature of the people who have chosen to attend. This is the only place where you can choose between enjoying a normal British festival or exploring the village, woods or estuary in order to engage with a myriad of fringe events. ItÔÇÖs about having the opportunity to get involved, to dress up and parade as part of the carnival or having the chance to rave the afternoon away at a secluded woodland stage. This is what really makes Festival No. 6 that extra bit special. Its broad appeal is the product of the open-minded attitude that prevails in Portmeirion and the result is genuinely eclectic, generally unpretentious and seemingly impossible not to enjoy.