The Apple Cart Festival
The Apple Cart Festival saw its first appearance go ahead last weekend in Hackney’s Victoria Park and is just one of several new festivals that have sprung up in London over the past few years. As such, the competition between these events is fierce, with each one trying to carve out its own niche.
As for The Apple Cart, it describes itself as a ’boutique day out’ that prides itself on having a bit of everything; music, comedy, art, food and more. No-one could fault its organisers for a lack of ambition and with ticket prices at just under £30 you certainly get value for money. However, this desire to be all things to all people is what proves to be The Apple Cart’s downfall, as the event gives the overall impression of a festival that doesn’t know what it wants to be.
One of the strongest aspects of The Apple Cart is its excellent comedy line up, featuring stand up from Marcus Brigstocke, Kevin Eldon and Mark Steel. Brigstocke is particularly brilliant, combining biting political satire with some endearing personal observation comedy. Disappointingly, however, with the family friendly nature of the festival, some of the acts seem to be treading on eggshells when it comes to bad language. The comedy tent even sports a sign warning against adult content, much like those put on CD covers in order to attract 14 year olds. Yet despite this, disgruntled mothers can be seen dragging small children from the comedy tent, tutting as they go.
Normally at these kinds of festivals, the live bands are the main attraction, but at Apple Cart, with so much else going on the fantastic musical line up appears as something of a sideshow. Throughout the day bands perform to pretty small crowds of only partially interested onlookers, meaning that special festival atmosphere remains just out of reach. One of the undoubted highlights, however, is Patrick Wolf, who wins over the crowd with his confident stage presence, some excellent banter and fantastic tunes taken from his newest album Lupercalia, proving why he’s one of the most innovative and exciting artists making music today.
Another highlight is Tim Minchin, who attracts by far the biggest crowd of the day, many of who seem to have come purely for his performance. The main stage billing is one that Minchin relishes, as his brand of musical comedy wows his fans and shows off his mesmerising piano playing skills.
However, the music line up is eclectic, if being kind, or totally random, if being more honest. The tone jumps erratically from acoustic song-smith Badly Drawn Boy to Radio 1 DJ Gilles Peterson, with everything in between. This criticism seems harsh given The Apple Cart’s status and a brand new festival, but it is the clearest indicator that The Apple Cart will struggle to continue unless it finds a unique personality of its own.
The Apple Cart Festival took place on August 7 2011 at:
Victoria Park
Grove Road
Tower Hamlets
E3 5SN
Image by Lauren Keogh
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Had an excellent day out, despite a bit of rain. I did get the very English Village Green feel.
Comedy line up got as much attention as the music, shame Comedy was a relatively small stage/tent. Awkward re family vs comedic swearing.
Magic Numbers, Badly Drawn Boy, Patrick Wolf and Tim Minchin all excellent, shame many left after Tim Minchin and before headliners Saint Etienne, maybe a mistake but I see SA were going to headline in the cancelled 2009 ACF.
Attendance low, meant no squashing anywhere, but I do hope they made enough money to ensure happens again in 2012, and this park made a great venue.
I think that a mention should be given to the excellent magic stage line-up, in particular James the Magician whose now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t routine and bumbling stage antics were mesmerising as always.