REVIEW: ELECTRIC BEACH FESTIVAL 2012
The sun was shining on North Cornwall this weekend for beach lovers and old school Hip Hop fans alike, who had come from far and wide, for the very 1st Electric Beach Festival at Watergate Bay.
Less festival in the traditional sense and more like a good old Cornish party with no big production frills, Electric beach was all about the music, the people and the surroundings – sunshine, stunning beach, Hip Hop, good food and drink. What more you could possibly want? Booze perhaps?
Sadly, although we enjoyed marvellous Mojitos throughout the day, by 8pm the bar was dry. However, as a local lass and music promoter, I could not help feeling quietly proud and amused, as I watched headliners and international Hip Hop legends in awe at the underground scene down here, as Cornwall proved its propensity to party, and lived up to its rightly deserved rocking reputation. The crowd did not stop, and as De La Soul took to the stage, playing old school classics until sundown, featuring special guest ‘Akil the MC’ from Jurassic 5, the beach erupted with joy!
Warming up the crowd earlier in the day, with some late afternoon reggae slapped upside the head with a party stick, was Cornwall’s 8 piece funkatron BackBeat SoundSystem. The surroundings proved the perfect backdrop for their music and a wonderful homecoming gig. Then, XL took to the stage, representing with The Scribes – hooking crowds in with their bouncing beats, banter and high energy. What with the oh so naughty but oh so nice Nextmen and the very interesting and evolving Breaks Collective, plus an array of other summer tune selectas, a good day was had by all.
We can only hope this will be the beginning of more brilliant days like this on the beach to come!
Words: Beth Lewitt
