By Trish Keenan.
Body & Soul started off as an idea, an aspiration born in the black rock desert in Nevada at Burning Man. “Our first party took the shape of an outdoor dance party in Yosemite national park, in California on Halloween weekend. 300 people, psychedelic art, and a tiny massage area, that grew over time, and based its parties on the Celtic calendar. We ended up running a Body & Soul village at the Big Chill for six years and finally found our way back to Ireland, after being invited to be part of the Electric Picnic festival. Back then it was a small little corner of the Electric Picnic. It was literally a few therapy tents and a small sound system. Every year it has grown and grown and the program gets more and more exciting – so it’s progress has been pretty organic really. Last year was pretty special – seeing it succeed on its own as a stand-alone festival.”
In terms of music Body and Soul have announced their 2011 line up but according to Avril “we love our surprises and we love watching people’s expressions and excitement as they partake on an enchanted adventure for an entire weekend. There will always be an act or two waiting to be unveiled at the last moment.”
The uprising of the boutique festival in Ireland has well and truely begun and they’re attracting an older crowd with gourmet food, boutique camping and increasing events outside of the music. This is what festivals like Body and Soul aim to do. “I believe what has us stand apart is the integrity of the event and the ethos behind it. Our first stand-alone festival was last year and we had very little capital to play around with. We relied a lot on collaboration from artists and volunteers, like minded folk coming together, people who are interested in creating something special for everyone to enjoy.
We didn’t spend all our money on getting the biggest names, instead we focused on up and coming artists and decorating the site to make it somewhere pretty magical, a beautiful place to be. People respond to that. They really enjoy the space and relax into the festival vibe. We are not corporate and never will be. We actually love what we do no matter how challenging it may be.”
So after their inaugural event Body and Soul look set to impress festivals goers again in 2011. “The location is amazing! The castle and especially the walled gardens were a clincher for us, specifically because it adds to the “enchanted” atmosphere and gives that “other-worldliness” that Body & Soul is all about. We have created the kind of festival that we would love to go to ourselves. A space that has been given so much thoughts, attention to detail, care and love that you can feel it, taste it, and experience it from the second you land.
We promise intimacy, adventure, decadence, style, amazing food, quirky nooks and crannies, hand carved stages, an incredible line up, a damn good party, cutting edge art, night time shenanigans, day time lounging, a masquerade ball, a magical kids area, funky parties in the woodlands, sunshine, mischief, pockets of calm, jam sessions by the fire side, cellos by the pond, theatre in the rose garden, pristine campsites, friendly staff and a really unique experience that will feed their souls and make them smile for months on end!”
Most festivals now offer a ‘break’ from the music, a chance to become immersed in the arts. What other attractions can be found in these quirky nooks and crannies? Food, art, magic tricks? “A lotta love!! Art is our speciality. We love to highlight what is already there and transform spaces into something that little bit different. The Holistic area will have therapists, yoga, workshops, chill out domes, pod to curl up in and chimes to lull you into never ever land.” The outdoor hot tubs are making a return “don’t knock them until you have tried them” Avril says. There will be a fancy dress Masquerade Ball on the Saturday night, themed campsites where campers get to be creative with their campsites “It’s so much fun to see what people get up to. The winners last year made a beach”. And most importantly Body & Soul promise clean toilets.
In the world of imagination, we asked Avril who her dream line up would be “David Bowie, Kate Bush, Prince. That would be a good starting point!”
riff raff
September 16, 2011
Well done for managing to keep things running smothely at picnic this year ,despite various obstacles , nuff said all the best and good luck with future venues
…. RIFF