The Highest of Vibrations -Why ‘We Out Here’ is a festival like no other
This festival is unique for many reasons, not least for the reason that most people who attend KNOW their music. However there are always new artists which are on the verge of being discovered and that’s the beauty of WOH. An example is DOMI & JD Beck who’s live show was outstanding..never heard of them before. I can’t believe it’s 4 years since this festival began, and it’s been a joy to document this journey with a visual diary of the performers, the people as well as the new site itself which is green and lush. The first thing I did on arrival (Wimborne St Gilles, Dorset) was to walk around to see where the stages, wellness tents and lake were located. This was to familiarise myself before all the action.
It’s been fun to meet a range of people who have kindly shared their experiences. Sophie Wing Yan Billington is a London based director and music journalist:
‘Having worked as an artist liaison at the festival last year, I went to cover We Out Here 2023 as press knowing it was a unique festival full of industry talent and the chillest possible music nerds. What I’d forgotten however, is the festival’s subversive power to platform jazz pioneers and provide a physical space for all to imagine alternative futures. What’s special about the line up is that it plays with soulful Latin rhythms, emits universes of depth from Afro jazz notes and expresses many new degrees of electronic potential. Year on year this allows the WOH community to benefit from the connection of varied experience, allowing it to be kinder and calmer than any other festival. Watching the festival settle into its new site was an incredible experience, and I now count my mind lucky to sustain the gentle whirl of new ideas and inspiration that We Out Here has added to its journey.’
It was great to catch Coco Maria’s set at the Brawnswood tent and finally have a chat: ‘This edition of 2023 WOH has been different but still great. The first stay I spent re-discovering the new area and spaces. I really enjoyed my sets. The two sets I had were intimate. People really wanted to dance and give back a lot of energy. This is the best BIG festival, best vibes and music.’
Vanessa Freeman and Kyoto Jazz Massive delivered one of the most dynamic shows and is already looking ahead to next year:
“WOH 23 was a place for Music, Dance and Family!
If we think back to a time when we weren’t able to be together and to have a time when the people who organise, set the Festivals up, the Vendors, Bar staff, Security and Performers could feel free and express ourselves and how we feel.
For myself being a part of Kyoto Jazz Massive with Echoes_of on the Main Stage & feelin amazing NRG from the crowd to being with my Eves Drop Collective sistahs and our dance fam …… WOW!!!!!! and then Friday with MR Scruff and Mikey Don in the Love Dancing Tent experience some special moments with all the crew ……. it was all Beautiful and I look forward to 2024 !”
I met Clare and her family on the second day; they had visited the festival for the first time and I’m already looking forward to seeing them again in 2024:
‘This was my family holiday with my 12 and 14 year old and I think I had two of the best experiences of my life watching Omar S and then Roni Size (with my 14 year old) on Saturday.
I connected with a DJ collective who did a talk on Sunday which I found incredibly validating and it resonated with some other ideas I had been formulating as a result of being at the festival. I loved This is Book Love’ I’m really interested in how festivals like this one offer a much safer and more inclusive space for Black British people of all ages as they have been traditionally very white centred. The space they offered was really important and the collection of books they brought were brilliant. The record fair was also a highlight.
I’m really excited to come again next year with some other friends as this was the first time I had been to We Out Here and I think to make it even more inclusive, they should offer free places to young Black people from our cities who would not have the opportunity to come to something like this (I work as a social worker young Black care leavers who are very socially isolated) as having some work experience and the opportunity to observe and experience music in a space that isn’t intimidating and in nature would be transformative — so I’m going to work on a pitch for something next year to try and make this happen.’
Harry Charles is Founder and Creative Director of the ‘Word of Mouth Radio’ Cafe and we had a chat about festivals and their value:
“festivals are special days to celebrate tradition, culture and heritage with happiness, peace and harmony. We Out Here festival has already established itself as a cult hero on the scene through meticulous curation and vibe creation. The eclectic line up of world class musicians, dj’s and artists personifies Giles Peterson’s illustrious career at the roots of music and encourages the most soulful of sounds from the opening set to the grand finale. Boy am I glad I “WAS OUT THERE”. Highlights ran wild throughout the programming but my key performances on the main stage were from Children of Zeus, Galliano and Kyoto Jazz Massive who blew me away whilst bucket list performers such as Sun Ra Arkestra, Blackstar and Marcos Valle brought joy to many fans. There were so many top DJ’s so I’d rather name the stage that stood out from the crowd with an immaculate sound and the highest of vibrations. LOVEDANCIN by name and love dancing by nature. When was it not going off?? Opening day brought Trojan Soundsystem with support from Fat Freddy’s Drop on the trombone/sax. Loveinjection, Colleen Cosmo Murphy, Black Science Orchestra, Mikey D.O.N, Evesdrop Collective, Colin Curtis, Patrick Forge & of course Sir Giles. Can we call him that? Dingwalls turned up on the last day to give us a great send off. Other stellar groove laden sets were from Lil Minx, Volcov, Luke Una, Rainer Truby b2b Miche, Mafalda. Lemon Lounge brought a vibe and may want to consider a bigger tent next year, Ruf Dug (whom I missed ;-( ) and plenty others. Brawnswood connected souls with warmth and intimacy. 30/70 were sensational and cemented their place firmly in the ones to watch zone and Brian Jackson brought tears into the eyes of those who witnessed. It’s not a given that just because the lineup is great that the performances will necessarily follow, however there were no disappointed heads vacating that space. With plenty of other great alternative spaces to enjoy the festivities such as the vinyl fair, talk tent and the Book love club along with the wellness and family areas there really was something for everyone. Rounding things off with the Rhythm Corner were Kruder & Dorfmeister who blew the crowds into a frenzy and the bowl was home to Channel one Soundsystem and the grand finale of Mr Scruff b2b with AroopRoy who bid us farewell. I’m still processing the inspiring week in Dorset and my musical belly will be full no doubt for somewhile or least until the festival returns in 2024.”
I want to say a big thanks to Gilles Peterson, the artists, stall holders, security, staff, the weather for being kind and the whole WOH team for another incredible event. It will probably take a year to recover in time for 2024:)
©Kings Davis 2023
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