Preview: Beacons Festival

7^th-10^th August, 2014

Skipton, North Yorkshire

The charming Yorkshire countryside will surely provide a kind backdrop to an eclectic range of music at Beacons Festival. Weaving together local arts, culture and fine ales alongside a strong line up it poses a fine alternative to the other local, but outsized Leeds Festival.

Jon Hopkins’ Immunity was voted the Mancuion’s album of last year and his presence draws attention immediately. Combining the ambient with the out and out intense his live show will undoubtedly be a highlight. Darkside will surely warrant attendance also. Following Psychic last year, and a recent Manchester set that rivals the finest to have graced the city, their experimental electronic sound cannot be overlooked. Daniel Snaith also appears in the form of Daphni, whose progressive house album Jaiolong was nominated for the 2013 Polaris Music Prize. The addition of East India Youth also offers more in the form of dream pop and spatial synthesiser sounds, whilst Erol Alkan is a worthy addition after his 2013 Illumination EP.

Electronic music is well represented, though Daughter’s addition poses a stark contrast, but a welcomed one. Last year their heart-wrenching folk album If You Leave was well received and the genre seems appropriate to the Yorkshire setting. Moreover Nightmares on Wax is one of Leeds’s own and offers a chilled vibe in the downtempo genre. If the intensity of other acts is too much, these acts will be the haven. However, The Fall and Metz mean the heavier guitar is not far away.  Pains of Being Pure at Heart also provide a sound reminiscent of The Smiths and so clearly Beacons can cater for many tastes.

With local pale ales by the barrel, scale and quality appear impeccably balanced. Old Local Kirkstall Brewery and Five Points mean the quality of beer will be by no means suspect. Alongside English tea and homemade Yorkshire cakes, this has the makings of a sublime weekend.