~ 5th-7th September ~
Portmeirion,
Gwynedd,
Wales,
LL48 6ER
Weekend camping tickets (Friday arrival)
£160.00 + booking fee
Weekend camping tickets (Thursday
arrival) £175.00 + booking fee
When I
was five years old I woke up one morning remembering a dream that had taken
up my sleeping time. Two weeks ago (26 years later) I was sat in a pub telling
someone about this same dream, the man’s eyes widened and he asked me if I’d
ever been to Portmeirion. I shook my head. What I described was an aqueduct
(with Ivor the Engine on it and a dragon), which I now know to be near the
village, and then I described how I strolled along a beach, its shape, and its
surroundings. I had described Portmeirion.
In the
1960s Patrick McGoohan trotted across our TV screens being chased by a giant
white balloon. The bizarre, yet hypnotizing programme was The Prisoner. Set
amongst the eclectic architecture of Portmeirion the location became as famous
as the white balloon, and the main character’s name became so synonymous with the
setting that it became the name of a festival, Number 6. Portmeirion is now the annual home to this arts and culture festival
with a three-day programme that weaves in and out of the rainbow coloured buildings of the town and the surrounding natural landscape of north Wales. You will find yourself on a private
peninsular on the southern shores of Snowdonia, with the River Dwyryd passing by.
Portmeirion
was built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. He wanted to show that a development did
not mean destruction of the natural environment. The village was built in two
stages, 1925 to 1939 and 1954 to 1976. The
first stage mapped out the town and some of the most iconic buildings were constructed.
The latter half resembled a classical or Palladian style. Some buildings were
salvaged from demolition sites, fitting in with Clough’s description of
Portmeirion as “a home for fallen buildings”. Clough had a vision, and that vision still
stands strong. Portmeirion is now owned by the Second Portmeirion Foundation,
which is a registered charity. They have partnered up with the team behind
Festival No.6 to keep Clough’s motto alive: “Cherish the Past, Adorn the Present,
Construct for the Future.”
The
architecture is undoubtedly a centrepiece for this festival. Performances are
strewn across the village and the buildings are available to rent, as are the
hotel rooms, and you are immersed into the history and vision of Portmeirion. Events
will take place on the Italian Piazza, The Stone Boat, The Town Hall, highly
acclaimed restaurants and the woodland. In
the Castell Park area you will find the Street Food Village, Comedy Tent,
Studio 6, The Late Night Pavilion and a array of other canvas venues.
I can’t
help but look at the photographs and be taken aback by the pure beauty of the
site, but the festival’s team hasn’t just relied on the setting to sell the
tickets. The team have created a line-up that has hand-picked performers from a range
of genres and ages. Comedians, musicians, writers, chefs and intellects will
attract an audience that may not have previously heard of this exquisite
village. The musical side of this festival not only branches across a multitude
of genres but also eras. Current favourites such-as Tune-Yards and Kelis are on
the bill, as well as Neneh Cherry and the Pet Shop Boys. Jimi Gordon, Jon
Hopkins, London Grammar and Beck are also making an appearance. For the ravers
the festival has The Late Night Pavilion, one of two dance tents. Here you will
be able to catch tunes from Laurent Garnier (3 hour set) and Todd Terje as he
steps in front of the decks to bring you a live show. 
While
previewing this year’s summer festivals, I noticed that there is an
ever-growing connection between established and new festivals, the focus on
food. Appearances from chefs and the inclusion of banquets have become of equal importance to the musical line-up. The Festival Number 6 organisers are
putting on long table banquets with Bryn Williams and Aiden Byrne. There will
also be street food and a Welsh food market, dinner at Clough’s restaurant
and The Hotel Portmeirion, if you want to add a bit glamour
to your weekend.
If none
of the above has appealed to you so far then how about the next part of the
line-up. Take yourself to the cinema to watch Shane Meadows’ ‘The Living Room’,
featuring a live performance from Gavin Clark. Spoken Word has become an integral
part of many festivals and over the weekend you can hear The No.6 Dylan Thomas
Tribute featuring Kevin Allen, Rhys Ifans and Murray Lachlan Young. Catch a
glimpse of Charlie Higson, Julian Cope, Salena Godden, Stuart Maconie, Matt
Everitt (known to BBC 6 Music fans) and Tim Burgess presents Tim Peaks, the Charlatans
front man’s pop-up cafe. You can also laugh your socks off in the comedy tent
with James Acaster and Josh Widdicombe. If you want a bit more action perhaps
the Carnival No.6 will have you dancing and singing or maybe try a Paddle Boarding
session.
It is now the end of the festival season
and my festival guide 2014. I hope you have enjoyed it, because I definitely
have! Now do me one favour, get on that Virgin Train and arrive at Festival
Number 6 with a camera filled with film (I’m old school), and take some photos
to show me!
