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The crowning glory of a soggy summer, this year’s Mucky Weekender wonderland was a Mad Hatter’s brimful of treats, and we can’t wait for next year!
You know good times are afoot when the ground is pulsating with bass as you arrive. And, after squelching on to a very soggy Vicarage Farm and ditching my car to dive into the fun, that’s exactly the omen Mucky Weekender 2024 delivered…
Image: Ant Penny Photography
Image: Ant Penny Photography
“WOMP! WOMP! WOMP!” said the mud. And no wonder, with a line-up like this year’s Mucky. Even the wompy swamp was ready to go, after biblical storms all week threatened everyone’s hopes.
For those who aren’t familiar with this small but perfectly formed ravers’ paradise near Micheldever, it’s the brainchild of the Dub Pistols’ Barry Ashworth. Thanks to the friends, fans & fellow musicians he’s gathered over a decades-long musical career rolling into dub, reggae, ska, drum & bass and jungle and much more besides, this end-of-summer shindig has become the highlight of many a summer. As well as spirits, the festival raises funds for mental health charities, something Barry is very passionate about. And, by that logic… the bonkers Alice in Wonderland theme was the perfect way to let loose and go mad.
Another humdinger of a line-up beckoned us all to tumble down the rabbithole into 2024’s Mucky last month, among them Congo Natty (AKA Michael Alec Anthony West/ Rebel MC) who arrived on Friday night to greet the parting of the clouds in godlike style. Other legends who delighted the crowds, from front to back, day & night, include LTJ Bukem, Micky Finn, London Elektricity, Woody Cook, The Prodigy star Leeroy Thornhill, Beans on Toast, Bez & Rowetta, Utah Saints, Krafty Kuts, Freestylers, Aries, Don Letts and Nicky Blackmarket.
All the big tents throbbed with amazing vibes and music (top marks to the sound system which never gave up) but my favourite stomping ground, once again, was the spaceship on higher ground, overlooking the whole wonderland, where Plump DJs & many more kept everyone moving. But, (cliche trigger warning) what makes this festival so great is that it’s really not just about the music but the people. This year’s Alice theme inspired a party of incredible outfits, from a stiff skirt that offered a whole tea party to Tweedledee & Tweedledums galore (special mention, also, to the bizarre pram of trippy treats, The Unlucky Dip). No wonder everyone was grinning like Cheshire Cats, and that the first tier of tickets has already sold out to next year’s Mucky, 11th to 13th September. See you there!
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