Press Clippings

In another, parallel, universe, possibly one where unicorns really exist, all festivals are made like Supernormal: set in idyllic countryside, curated with love rather than for profit, friendly to a fault, eclectic and challenging to a degree rarely encountered at festival level, where you don’t feel like you’ve been mugged every time you fancy a pint or something to eat and where even the crap bits are funny. More than anything, there are times – quite a few times it must be said – over the weekend where Nightshift’s critical faculties desert us in the face of music that is so joyous, so thrilling, the only negative aspect is that the entire world isn’t here to witness it.

The eclectic range of visual arts in the programme includes everything from performance and installation to workshops and activities

Personally, I could not have asked for a better weekend and sorely look forward to next years with squeamish anticipation.

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As a whole Supernormal supplies a  heady mixture of high quality and  fascinatingly idiosyncratic failures.

Supernormal remains a unique event in its genuine commitment to creating a communal celebration, its uncompromising rejection of any profit driven trapping of successful festivals, its respect for both artists and audiences and its active embrace of green policies. Those who disagree are welcome to find another festival where you can buy a pint of excellent local ale for £3.60 or a meal for less than £4, where artists are given adequate soundcheck times and there are no separate VIP areas, where the organisers not just encouraged but actively facilitate car sharing, and where – most importantly – you can catch a very different line up, get fully immersed in creative activities and discover something genuinely new.

Supernormal is probably the most audacious festival in the UK, putting onstage, in the field and in the woods nearby, 3-days of fearless experimental music and arts. If you know of any bolder festival: let me know where it is, because I don’t want to miss it!

Last weekend, while Thee Monkey’s Claw fannied around in south east Asia – riding monkeys and having his lunch stolen by elephants – Prince Reelfoot went to the M.I.G.H.T.Y Supernormal Festival.

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Surrender. Four page static; empty tower blocks; samples taken from interviews with renowned nutritionists and a supermarket basket overflowing with noise make for jubilant concrete floor contemplations.

We’re out, on location this time. Producer Will has released us from his grimy hovel, out into the fields, to enjoy the quite beautiful festival of arts, noise and freedom that was Supernormal 2014.

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Supernormal doesn’t preach, it accommodates. It caters for vegans as well or nearly as well as it does for carnivores, for jazz fans as well as Cosmic Dead devotees. It is critical of mainstream culture but pretty much avoids being worthy or precious. It would be wrong to say I hope Supernormal grows, as that’s possibly missing the point. Rather, I hope it puts down further roots and strengthens its hold on the imagination. It is something incredibly vital.