Festival was missing a vital ingredient...

SEPTEMBERFEST made for an interesting weekend to say the least, and this reviewer is still confused about how to feel about it.

When you see a festival is going to be held at the prestigious Donington Park you expect top quality, tight management and a field full of people.

But, seeing as though this is the first year the festival has been held there, I set my expectations lower than usual. And it’s a good job I did.

First of all, let’s start positive; there were five stages, a variety of performers, great sound quality, a fun and friendly security team, and the set-up was good.

However, there was a key thing missing, and missing by the thousands; people. I think it’d be a push to say, at its peak, there were 120 people there.

That meant some benefits though; clean toilets, no queues, and always being at the front to see acts - if they turned up.

Rumours were flying all weekend about who had dropped out. I started calling it a ‘surprise’ festival, as the online line-up times meant nothing, and no one had a clue who was playing and when.

Acts did drop out which was a shame and, as I sat looking around at the scattering of people, I thought there’s no possible way Saturday headliners Razorlight are coming.

But they did. As did 5ive, two-thirds of Atomic Kitten, A1 and other bands teenage me dreamt of seeing. They lived up to expectations, they put on great performances and were brilliant sports about the feeble ‘crowd’.

I was also introduced to bands I’d never heard of - such as Eagles Vs Drones and Whiskey Lies - who I’d happily see again.

Believe it or not, when I left Sunday night, I left feeling happy.

But I didn’t pay to be there and I do feel deeply sorry for those who did and for the vendors too.

I knew there were going to be teething problems, but the lack of communication and management was inexcusable.

Septemberfest has the potential to be a great event, but it is clear it has a long, long way to come.

Pictured are festival-goers. Image courtesy of On Track Media UK.

One of the Cheeky Girls performing at the event. Image courtesy of Milly’s Photos.

Pictured is Atomic Kitten’s Liz McClarnon. Image courtesy of On Track Media UK.

Pictured is A1’s Mark Read. Image courtesy of On Track Media UK.

Pictured is Razorlight vocalist Johnny Borrell.

Echo reviewer Megan Cox said: “There was a key thing missing, and missing by the thousands; people.”