DJ Woody, a world DMC turntablist champion, headlines the Lawn Stage with an alternative live set before playing an AV ‘history of hip-hop’ set later in the night at the Cabin in the Woods.
And there lies a beauty of Cloudspotting. The festival offers first consideration to its growing family audience camping in the main field but for the night owls, alternative late-night haunts can be sought out in the forest.
The midnight curfew on the main stage means that Cloudspotting has that rare quality of being able to hear the headliners while you curl up in your tent (or drink red wine outside it while minding the kids!).
Headlining Saturday night is Congolese poet, composer-lyricist, scriptwriter and performer Baloji for his only northern UK festival performance of the summer. Baloji is an incredible live performer. His music stands at the crossroads of African music, incorporating traditional with soul, jazz and funk influences, discovered through sampling and electronic music which has its roots in the region of Belgium where he has spent much of his upbringing. Other Saturday acts include Gulp, the side project of Guto Pryce of the Super Furry Animals, The Wave Pictures, Jeramiah Ferrari and the dub reggae vibes of Operation Sound System.
Cloudspotting Sundays are gloriously chilled days reflected by a more acoustic edge to the music programme. With that in mind, a gaggle of leading female artists on top of their game have been confirmed to star on Sunday – This is The Kit, Jesca Hoop, Holly Macve and Hannah Peel, will all be touring new material this summer.
Sharing in the sets of some inspirational musicians is certainly par for the course at Cloudspotting. But the strength of the festival is how the wider programme engages with the family, from early years, to teenagers, to adults.
The natural habitat of the Forest of Bowland is a source of great inspiration for the festival’s artistic themes. This year, protection of the native birds of the forest will be celebrated, the endangered Hen Harrier has already had a strong presence in the festival’s promotional artwork, and a series of linked interactive activities produced in association with the RSPB will take place over the weekend.
