Portmeirion event announced
Ever fancied staying in a tribal yurt on a fantasy island and doing a bit of zorbing in the daytime? Festival No. 6 offers you the chance to do just that. From Sept14th-16th the Welsh coastal village of Portmeirion will host acts including New Order, Primal Scream, and Spiritualised. Tickets are favourably priced with a £99 early-bird weekend camping ticket currently on-sale.
Created by maverick architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, the elaborate location is a bizarre take on a Mediterranean villa, with eccentricity in abundance. It was previously used to film ‘60s TV show ‘The Prisoner’ in which the character ‘number six’ is held against his will. Now coincidentally people are heading there to escape from modern life.
Staying in Portmeirion is the closest you will come to living in a daydream – sandy beaches and palm trees in Wales! Within this incongruous paradise there’s a pop-up champagne and oyster bar, neo-classical architecture, midnight masquerades, cliff-top comedy, poetry readings, street theatre, archery, shooting, impromptu interactive moments, and did we mention zorbing?
If a tribal yurt isn’t your thing then there’s always the option to go for a more traditional tipi, or failing that an even more traditional tent. The array of accommodation options mirrors the diverse entertainment on offer. Rooms in Victorian mansion – The Castell Deudraeth – are available, as are movie star Airstream trailers, and cottages in the heart of the
village.
Festival director Gareth Cooper said “In a market saturated with festivals and with the Olympics looming, it would take an idiot or something really special to warrant starting a new one.” Is he an idiot? Seemingly not, as the line-up is as impressive as the extra-curricular activities. Bands and DJ’s will be playing in every available space, from the historic town hall to the side of the river Dwyryd. The diverse bill covers everything from funk to folk, with a Welsh choir added for good measure.
Already confirmed is Manchester’s newly reformed legendary post-punk act, New Order. Stephen Morris from the group concurs: “It’s an amazing location for a festival. We can’t believe it hasn’t been done before.”
Iconic Glaswegian outfit Primal Scream will be bringing their psychedelic sound to this impressive setting too. Celebrating 30 years since forming, their live reputation needs no introduction. The blissed-out shimmering sonic experimentation of Spiritualized will close the first day of the festival.
Mr Scruff will be on the decks. Known for his eclectic marathon DJ sets, he’ll be mixing everything from obscure jazz to the latest dubstep bangers. Erol Alkan – who has previously supported Daft Punk and Madonna at their request, is on the bill, which also includes legendary reggae and funk fuser Don Letts, and the hugely influential producer Andrew
Weatherall. More acts are to be announced. Where else can you see all that and do a bit of zorbing too?
Festival No. 6 runs between September 14th and 16th.
Words by Simon Butcher
Created by maverick architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, the elaborate location is a bizarre take on a Mediterranean villa, with eccentricity in abundance. It was previously used to film ‘60s TV show ‘The Prisoner’ in which the character ‘number six’ is held against his will. Now coincidentally people are heading there to escape from modern life.
Staying in Portmeirion is the closest you will come to living in a daydream – sandy beaches and palm trees in Wales! Within this incongruous paradise there’s a pop-up champagne and oyster bar, neo-classical architecture, midnight masquerades, cliff-top comedy, poetry readings, street theatre, archery, shooting, impromptu interactive moments, and did we mention zorbing?
If a tribal yurt isn’t your thing then there’s always the option to go for a more traditional tipi, or failing that an even more traditional tent. The array of accommodation options mirrors the diverse entertainment on offer. Rooms in Victorian mansion – The Castell Deudraeth – are available, as are movie star Airstream trailers, and cottages in the heart of the
village.
Festival director Gareth Cooper said “In a market saturated with festivals and with the Olympics looming, it would take an idiot or something really special to warrant starting a new one.” Is he an idiot? Seemingly not, as the line-up is as impressive as the extra-curricular activities. Bands and DJ’s will be playing in every available space, from the historic town hall to the side of the river Dwyryd. The diverse bill covers everything from funk to folk, with a Welsh choir added for good measure.
Already confirmed is Manchester’s newly reformed legendary post-punk act, New Order. Stephen Morris from the group concurs: “It’s an amazing location for a festival. We can’t believe it hasn’t been done before.”
Iconic Glaswegian outfit Primal Scream will be bringing their psychedelic sound to this impressive setting too. Celebrating 30 years since forming, their live reputation needs no introduction. The blissed-out shimmering sonic experimentation of Spiritualized will close the first day of the festival.
Mr Scruff will be on the decks. Known for his eclectic marathon DJ sets, he’ll be mixing everything from obscure jazz to the latest dubstep bangers. Erol Alkan – who has previously supported Daft Punk and Madonna at their request, is on the bill, which also includes legendary reggae and funk fuser Don Letts, and the hugely influential producer Andrew
Weatherall. More acts are to be announced. Where else can you see all that and do a bit of zorbing too?
Festival No. 6 runs between September 14th and 16th.
Words by Simon Butcher
