Jelly Festival
Ahead of this summer's Jelly Festival, we caught up with the organiser and founder Ben Gardner.
-For people who might not have heard of it yet, what is Jelly Festival?
An awe inspiring, soul cleansing wonderland to tantalise your senses. With great music, food, workshops, activities, rides, Jelly and fun for all ages.
If you shut your eyes and think hard of Jelly with all the characteristics it has and memories connected. This is what the festival feels like.
-What sort of audience do you get for this festival?
Anyone that is human and likes having a good time. We get all ages and all walks of life come through the gates.
-With so many festivals in the UK, is it hard trying to establish yourself?
When we started four years ago there was nothing else like it in Norfolk, so that instantly made it easier. Now there are quite a few trying to do something similar.
We are always building massively on what we did the year before, so it keeps it fresh and exiting when you arrive and discover all these new treats.
-Who are the acts you're most excited to have booked this year?
Guateqe are a cuban band I saw recently with two of my mates and we all came out drenched in sweat from dancing so much. I can't say that happens very often.
Martin Harley are phenomenal performers and will have everyone mesmerised with their musical abilities. The Egg are a massive live act to look out for, incorporating their classic tunes with some jamming.
Of course the mighty Freestylers are going to steal the show, they have been around for some time producing solid dance music that has always been on the pulse.
-Do you class yourselves as a family festival?
Without a doubt! That is why it has such a nice feel because of the little rays of sunshine keeping everyone energised.
Most of my friends and family have children, so if I was to put on a show that didn't include the little peeps then I wouldn't get to see any of them. We all need kids around us to keep us young.
-With so much going on, would you say you're strictly a music festival?
I would say we are a sensory festival. We have all the nicest things to satisfy every sense. But primarily I would say it is hearing that is targeted the most.
-You've got a lot of local acts on. Who should fans look out for?
Master Control Programme are a brand new Funk outfit made up of musicians that have played in bands of every genre pretty much.So their knowledge of music is extensive.
One of the members is in another local band called the "lost Levels" that are also doing really well.
-Would you try to expand Jelly Festival as much as possible, or keep it at this level?
I think when it expands too much you lose the intimacy that I have tried so hard to create.
I set out to make a festival that was comfortable and fun, you can't do this with everyone elbow to elbow and pushing through the crowds.
-Recently, Hub Festival in Liverpool moved from a free festival for local bands to a paid one with bigger names. Would you consider a price increase for some bigger names?
I have chosen acts that are just great performers. I want to keep on this angle. I am against getting a name to pull in the punters, thay have to be able to cut it on stage.
As the budget grows I will put money back into more interesting areas and activities for people while they are there.
I do have my sights set on a couple of acts in the future I would love to see at the festival that will require a bit more on the ticket price. I want to keep the price as low as possible so it's accessible to one and all.
-Going back to the beginning, how did Jelly Festival start?
It started from an event I would hold on an area of grass outside my mother's maize maze known as "Maze Stock".
People would come drink, eat listen to music whilst getting lost in 5 acres of maize. I saw the potential and satisfaction in putting on a wholesome family music event.
This was the bare bones of what i am doing now, but was still lots of fun.
-What has been your biggest challenge establishing it?
With the first couple of years there was very little money to put into the event, so I had to do most of the jobs myself. It did ware me out!
I now have a large team of people that are experts in each area. Things run much smoother now. I am pleased I have had a part to play in all these areas, as I have a thorough understanding of what people are doing.
-Do you think the music industry is shifting towards live music as its way to make money?
Definitely. Illegal downloads are pushing artists to take to the road and perform. I think it is a really positive thing as they now cant just pump out studio engineered music without any talent and make loads of cash.
-Is diversity important in the festival season?
I think so, diversity in anything is important. If everyone was doing the same thing all the time we would still be in caves now. The festival has so much diversity, with music, food, people, activities. I should have called it Diversity Fest.
-I was reading about the interesting designs for the stages. Can you explain those?
We have a house party theme running throughout the festival. Each stage has its own identity like an area in a house.
The Main stage is the Living Room with a giant picture frame on the back wall that is blank until the sun goes down then it turns in to a canvas of moving images synchronised to the music.
The Bedroom Bar is a bigtop that has lots of beds, wardrobes, and other bedroom furniture. It is great during the day people can lay back and relax to awesome bands.
In the evening after 12 it becomes a dance arena until 4 am for those with stamina. Other areas are the Observatory visuals dome, the Summer house Cocktail bar, the Reggae Rumpus room, The Kitchen food area and the Playroom area for the kids.
-What is it that makes Jelly Festival stand out?
It's the fact that everyone can come and enjoy it. Keeping a balance with family fun and festival fun.
There is lots for the kids to do with workshops, activities, shows and rides and loads for any other age up. It's one of the only times I have seen teens out with there parents and not feeling awkward.
-What kind of announcements can we be expecting leading up to the festival?
Some more bands are going to be announced to keep people on the edge of their seats.
-Where would you like Jelly Festival to end up?
I would say that it would be ideal next to a jelly factory, so they can pump it out all over the event field and create a complete land of jelly.
Female First - Alistair McGeorge
Ahead of this summer's Jelly Festival, we caught up with the organiser and founder Ben Gardner.
-For people who might not have heard of it yet, what is Jelly Festival?
An awe inspiring, soul cleansing wonderland to tantalise your senses. With great music, food, workshops, activities, rides, Jelly and fun for all ages.
If you shut your eyes and think hard of Jelly with all the characteristics it has and memories connected. This is what the festival feels like.
-What sort of audience do you get for this festival?
Anyone that is human and likes having a good time. We get all ages and all walks of life come through the gates.
-With so many festivals in the UK, is it hard trying to establish yourself?
When we started four years ago there was nothing else like it in Norfolk, so that instantly made it easier. Now there are quite a few trying to do something similar.
We are always building massively on what we did the year before, so it keeps it fresh and exiting when you arrive and discover all these new treats.
-Who are the acts you're most excited to have booked this year?
Guateqe are a cuban band I saw recently with two of my mates and we all came out drenched in sweat from dancing so much. I can't say that happens very often.
Martin Harley are phenomenal performers and will have everyone mesmerised with their musical abilities. The Egg are a massive live act to look out for, incorporating their classic tunes with some jamming.
Of course the mighty Freestylers are going to steal the show, they have been around for some time producing solid dance music that has always been on the pulse.
-Do you class yourselves as a family festival?
Without a doubt! That is why it has such a nice feel because of the little rays of sunshine keeping everyone energised.
Most of my friends and family have children, so if I was to put on a show that didn't include the little peeps then I wouldn't get to see any of them. We all need kids around us to keep us young.
-With so much going on, would you say you're strictly a music festival?
I would say we are a sensory festival. We have all the nicest things to satisfy every sense. But primarily I would say it is hearing that is targeted the most.
-You've got a lot of local acts on. Who should fans look out for?
Master Control Programme are a brand new Funk outfit made up of musicians that have played in bands of every genre pretty much.So their knowledge of music is extensive.
One of the members is in another local band called the "lost Levels" that are also doing really well.
-Would you try to expand Jelly Festival as much as possible, or keep it at this level?
I think when it expands too much you lose the intimacy that I have tried so hard to create.
I set out to make a festival that was comfortable and fun, you can't do this with everyone elbow to elbow and pushing through the crowds.
-Recently, Hub Festival in Liverpool moved from a free festival for local bands to a paid one with bigger names. Would you consider a price increase for some bigger names?
I have chosen acts that are just great performers. I want to keep on this angle. I am against getting a name to pull in the punters, thay have to be able to cut it on stage.
As the budget grows I will put money back into more interesting areas and activities for people while they are there.
I do have my sights set on a couple of acts in the future I would love to see at the festival that will require a bit more on the ticket price. I want to keep the price as low as possible so it's accessible to one and all.
-Going back to the beginning, how did Jelly Festival start?
It started from an event I would hold on an area of grass outside my mother's maize maze known as "Maze Stock".
People would come drink, eat listen to music whilst getting lost in 5 acres of maize. I saw the potential and satisfaction in putting on a wholesome family music event.