Since it’s kick off meetings last October, the 1^st of June date seemed exotic, exciting and way, way off. Now, it’s just a week away. It’s starting to feel very real all of a sudden.

Someone asked me yesterday “what bit am I most looking forward to?”. I answered with a number of things, but having reflected upon this, I think I’m looking forward to the Silent Discos the most. Sure, I’m looking forward to the bands, the big bonfire, the half a shandy or two I’ll allow myself,  and the sitting about spraffing to loads of lovely people,  but yea – the Silent Disco is the bit that I’m most looking forward to.

Silent disco parties are odd – and often scoffed at – but I’ve seen the light, and enjoyed the silence. I think they are ace inventions. High quality stereo music when you want it,  and when you want to stop and have a natter, you can, without having to shout your head off – just take your headphones off.  The licence stipulates no speakers in effect after 11pm  so it’ll mean we can carry on partying till when we want without disturbing the locals.

The idea is two sets of decks – two DJ’s in the same space. One dancefloor. People can choose between DJ1 or DJ2 by flicking a switch on their wireless headphones of which we’ve got 100 of to distribute. I’ve canvassed a survey to try and work out what sort of DJs we’ve got – what styles we’ve got to play with, then, We’ll use this data to try and program something like a schedule that has two contrasting styles on at the same time for most of the time. That’s the theory anyway. There’s a tightly programmed dance tent schedule as is – hoping the Sizzer Dizzer will allow for a bit more flexibility. We’ve got a few of the FIRE DJs playing, and a lot of the DJs from the main dance tent schedule will be doing a second set in the Sizzer Dizzer.

I’m also really looking forward to the On’t Sofa (.com) stage. I’ve been hearing a lot from these guys – one of the guys behind it  is Ben from the genius fundraising concept Manequin Challenge that happened last year. The Ont Sofa channel has been pumping out quality sessions from local musicians, in a laid back, unplugged kind of format for a few months now – and it’s well worth checking out. A prime example would be something like the fabulous Vicki Whelan (who’ll actually be gracing the main stage at said festival)

Another thing that’s given the festival a ‘proper festival status’ recently for me is a what do I do conundrum clash. Do I go and watch all of the utterly fantastic The Birdman Rallies, who’ll be headlining the main stage on Saturday night, or,   Ararchio Banquerta – international man of the people in the dance tent?