Festival lovers head to trees for music and wild fun at Wood festival

Held over three days among the trees at Braziers Park at Ipsden, in the rolling Chilterns beyond Wallingford, Wood is a music festival with a difference. The gathering has a strong ecological ethos, generating its own green power and offering visitors a rural respite from the pressures of urban life.

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It was set up by musician brothers Robin and Joe Bennett as an intimate, environmentally-friendly offshoot of their larger Truck Festival in Steventon.

But while the festival is small – strictly limiting its numbers to avoid overcrowding the scenic site – it packs a big punch with its line-up, which features a range of international and local acts which veer towards the mellower end of the musical spectrum. Folk, America, country and world music rule – but with a rock & roll edge.

Danny George Wilson plays with Robin and Joe Bennett tonight (Saturday). Picture of last year's set by Tim Hughes

This year marks 15 years since the festival was launched, and, says Robin – who also serves as a Green councillor on South Oxfordshire District Council – it has managed to hold on to its quirky – and leafy – identity. “We started this as we were trying to start a more sustainable festival after Truck festival was flooded in 2007,” he says. “It has now grown its own identity with regular features and sound.

“It seemed to attract a family audience from the beginning and that’s how it has stayed. It now has a lot more teenagers though – some of whom will have come here as three year-olds in the early days.”

The main stage was built of wood by a south Oxfordshire carpenter – the much-missed Rory Bernays – with a living roof of greenery. It is powered by solar panels. Elsewhere power is generated from vegetable oil. A silent disco tent is fuelled by pedal-power, with revellers encouraged to take to the saddles of a bank of bicycles wired up to a soundsystem.

Wood festival. Picture by Jason Warner @ Fyrefly Studios

Music comes from a diverse range of artists, with headliners including folky Americana act The Hanging Stars, soulful rock & roll-country act Ida Mae, and indie-folk singer-songwriter Josienne Clarke.

Robin will also be taking to the stage twice – with his friend and long term collaborator Danny George Wilson on Saturday (May 20) and his and Robin’s own band The Dreaming Spires on Sunday (May 21).

Also on the line up for the weekend bash which kicked off yesterday, are well-known folk artist Katherine Priddy and multi-instrumentalist Angeline Morrison.

Perennial favourites return such as Nick Cope – an Oxford rock star, formerly of the band The Candyskins, who now tailors his amusing songs to fanatical younger listeners – and West African (via Witney) kora player Jali Fily Cissokho, as does Robin and Joe’s musician sister Katy Rose Bennett.

Nick Cope rocks the main stage. Picture by Tim Hughes

For the first time, Oxford ska and reggae master DJ Count Skylarkin’ will grace Braziers Park, with his legendary sound system – though Robin is keeping tight lips over his choice of tunes for the night.

Music aside, there are workshops and sessions teaching everything from rural crafts, to nature conservation and music classes. There are also talks from experts in their fields (often literally).

Highlights include sessions on Indian head massage, acrobatic yoga, thatching, beekeeping, tea tasting, Japanese mending and – topically – making Ukrainian borscht.

Each year the festival is given an animal theme. This year’s is the year of the otter – with mustelid masks and even full outfits welcome.

“We are pleased with our diverse line-up this year,” says Robin.

“It is fresh and different with many new names but also an element of continuity, which people like. And we must have Nick Cope!”

He goes on: “Artists love playing here, and like the stage, which is quirky but very good – and a bit Hobbit-like.”

While many Wood devotees return each year, Robin is keen to invite new festival-goers. He says: “It is a lovely festival. And it’s important to say that it’s not just about music. There are many brilliant activities that people can get involved in. Some of our workshops have become cult activities in their own right.”

He said the Wood team were delighted to be back in their wooded glade after the uncertainty of Covid, adding: “Last year we were happy to get the festival going again, but this year feels more normal. I am looking forward to seeing friends – old and new.”

Wood runs at Braziers Park, Ipsden until Sunday, May 21, See woodfestival.com