Picture this; 1,500 people, a grassy green field, plushy decoration rivalling Buckingham Palace, good times, summer vibes and all for a deliciously digestible 35 quid. As Fieldview Festival celebrates its 5^th birthday party, I thought I’d pop on my espadrilles and party dress complete to investigate the spectacle that was Fieldview Festival 2011…   

With my wellies slung carelessly to the back of the boot, rain clouds certainly weren’t on my agenda for the bad-ass weekend I had ahead of me.  Fieldview is Glastonbury’s prettier, quirkier and all round fucking sexy granddaughter and by golly was she looking beautiful.

Greeted by sunsets, fairy lights, handmade butterflies and a beautifully designed wristband (thank you Mister Kay Thatcher) there stood the most attractive sight of my summer…  Set in the depths of leafy Wiltshire, Fieldview seduces all that enter through its glorious rusty gates.

With an annually expanding audience, the tiny field looked positively podgy with its killer love handles literally bursting into the bushes. Delicately plonked recycling points were distributed within the campsite, airing the organiser’s ethical views on reutilising and sustainability within the festival scene.

This year’s festival saw delightful growth on the construction side of things, introducing ‘The Barnacle Stage’, ‘Dreamland’, ‘The Village’ and ‘The Main Stage’, doesn’t sound a lot- but if you were to wind back the clock five years you’d more than likely be flipping burgers on the BBQ in the Cameron’s back garden.

One of the most organic and virtuous boutique festivals on the circuit, Fieldview showcases a variety of underground and up and coming bands, dj’s and artists. FVF 2011 saw biggest headliners to date tear it up on the main stage; electro-pop sensations Fenech Solerblew good vibes and epic dance moves onto the excitably child-like audience who were salivating at the chance to be millimetres away from the coolest band of the decade. Frenetic lighting, gaudy-glamour and more glitter balls than a 70’s nightclub, these lads totally own the festival line-up posters this summer.

Surfer dude and all round beautiful man Ben Howardmight as well have dragged a ton of sand, a setting sun and the sound of waves as he stole the breaths, eyes and ears of a smiley, face-painted crowd. You could see Ben’s cheeky grin embrace his face as he heard the harmonic sound of his audience mirroring his every lip movement.

Laid Blak schmoozed FVF goers with reggae tones and bloody good times; never have I ever seen a crowd so pumping on a Saturday afternoon! You’d have to have been deaf to stop you knees from bobbing and arms from going AWOL.

Other highlights included Liverpool LEGENDS/musical scientists Picture Book, who are so good, they got to play twice! OSTas per usual rocked it, with more energy than a springer spaniel; this is one band you can’t help but love. Brummie skankin’ movers and shakers 360must have recruited the biggest crowd of the weekend- (the type where you need to arrive 15 minutes to avoid that 6ft giant blocking your view). Alas, you could’ve bet Alan Sugars bank balance these guys were going to storm it… and of course, they did.

Following the loud and disorderly (enough to make you moist) Covert Boom conquered the stage, fresh faced dj’s Vanguard totally and utterly dominated the decks (along with a dancing dude in a bird outfit and a watermelon…ahh, what the hell, it’s Fieldview!)

With chai teas, harem pants and friendship bracelets galore, Fieldview can’t help but seem to embrace a gorgeous hippy aura that seamlessly dusts all that go there with a glow of comfort, peace and happiness.

The biggest and best festival to date leads Fieldview Festival into yet another year of anticipation… but only because we can’t contain our excitement for FVF 2012!

If you missed it, shame on you! If you didn’t… I think we’ll leave it at that. You know what I’m talkin’ about.