Blast Arts 2008

The organisers of The Secret Garden Party brought a mini but magical festival to North Yorkshire. The Magic Loungeabout was a 24 hour musical picnic held in the scenic gardens of Newburgh Priory on 30th August 2008.

Saturday began with an explosion of tents in tranquil grounds of Newburgh Priory. For those who wanted a different camping experience there was a Yurt Village buried within the trees surrounded by fairy lights for that extra enchanted feeling.

They know how to chillax

At midday, the first page of the storybook was opened and the Magic Loungeabout began with Eliza Doolittle serenading the early-birds. Musically it was a cocktail of the finest folk, electronic-pop and funk acts from past and present. Bands such as The Egg and Pacific followed with a delightful soundtrack for the laid-back atmosphere.

For those wanting a relaxing weekend it was the perfect setting. The forest spa offered massages, whilst the kids could be left in the magic garden with story-telling from the York Theatre Royal and milk and cookies at twilight.

The health conscious could enjoy a spectacular selection of food stalls including salads, Chinese noodles and fresh coconut juice alongside the typical burger and pie stalls for the ‘I’m on holiday’ mentalities we all love to adopt. Anyone who could peel themselves off the beanbags and tepees dotted on the lawns could have a bash on a golf simulator or test their fitness levels on a video game.

Ladytron

As the evening dawned Nouvelle Vague bewildered the crowds with their 80s new wave style covers of Joy Division, Bowie and The Kinks. Morcheeba livened up the ‘loungers’ with an in-differential beat that coincided with people spilling into the bars and champagne tents for cocktail hour.

Ladytron dazzled the stage as their vintage electronic rock was produced using an assortment of live instruments. The eclectic mix of music warmed up the excited crowd for the 80s pop synth God, Gary Numan. As the sky turned black the Numan band transformed the area into a compression of rock, pop and glow sticks. Late DJ sets from John Kelly and Matt Cooper turned the main bars into a disco ball for the ultimate of party people.

With every guest treated as a VIP, the Magic Loungeabout introduced a new chic way to experience live music. No rowdy crowds, poor facilities or long queues. Just a hazy summers day with a sprinkle of fairy dust to ensure a truly magical weekend.

Nadia Emam