BY EVIE MASON
Buckle and Boots 2024 was not only my first festival as an 18-year-old able to drink, but the perfect escape from A-Levels that I needed.
We arrived on the same day that I sat my three hour long English exam. Both me and my boyfriend were completely exhausted, but just driving into the field lifted our spirits immediately. The festival is beautifully decorated with vibrant colours, paintings, lights and signs and it is instantly welcoming. The second you enter the farm it is evident that you’re going to have an amazing weekend.
The variety of food was absolutely incredible. From the Thai food, to the bao buns, to the burgers, pizza, hot dogs and Mexican, we were not short for choice all weekend. My personal favourite was the delicious cashew chicken from the Thai stand and the two-for-ten bao buns which proved to be exceedingly popular throughout the weekend. The chicken toast and cheesy chips were also a staple of the weekend. The coffee van is also a reliable treat every year and fuelled many festival-goers for the weekend. Although I have heard some people claim that they did not enjoy the food selection as much as other years, I could not disagree more. We were truly spoilt for choice.
As for the music, we arrived just in time for both headliners Canaan Cox and Emilia Quinn on Friday who were both incredibly entertaining and talented. We thought we may not even stay up to watch them as we were so tired, but we watched ten minutes of Canaan Cox and decided they were certainly worth staying for. We even made it to the afterparty, which was great fun every night.
Admittedly, the music on Saturday was not for me. But, there were some acts that I thoroughly enjoyed – Morganway Duo was, although not in full force, amazing as ever. SJ Mortimer must have one of the best and most distinct voices in UK country music. Her voice is a force of nature, and joined by Kieran’s guitar and backing vocals, they were not an act to miss. The First Time Flyers were also a standout of the day – they brought a bright and youthful energy, with their four vocals blending perfectly together and creating beautiful harmonies. Ian Flanigan was a great headliner, and although he was not my personal favourite, his talent was undeniable.
Sunday, for me, was the best day of the festival musically. It began with the church service at 11am. This was the first time in my years coming to Buckle and Boots that I have woken up to attend. Usually, I am too tired or cozy in bed to want to get up and get ready to go. However, even as someone who isn’t overly religious, this service was one of my favourite parts of the weekend. It was so wholesome and brought everyone in the paddock stage tent together as a family and community. Maybe it even prepared me for my Religious Studies exam! Everyone was given a keepsake, an eternal circle, which was a lovely sentiment. The service was led by the festival chaplain Rev Lynn Boyle, who gave teachings of love that were relatable and meaningful to everyone – you certainly do not have to be a devout Christian to attend this service. Everyone is accepted, and I encourage you to attend, as the service is not limited to just those who understand the Bible and practice Christianity. The music from Dan Smalley was absolutely astounding – his deep southern vocals paired with his incredible guitar playing and sound was something unique and impressive. The service included memorials for people in the Buckle and Boots ‘family’ who have passed, which was a very thoughtful gesture. For me and for many, the most relevant of these was the memorial for John Hands. The prayer during the church service and the picture of him on the screen on the main stage (which reappeared over the weekend) were both touching and meaningful. I know that he would have loved the festival this year.
I won’t go into too much detail on the specifics of the music on the Sunday, because there were so many amazing acts. Gary Quinn was brilliant as always; Robyn Red was very popular and got amazing reviews. Dan Smalley was, as I said earlier, pure talent and just as good on the main stage as he was on the paddock stage. I think the highlight of the whole festival, for me at least, was American singer/songwriter Maggie Baugh. With her killer vocals, guitar, fiddle and unbeaten stage presence, she undoubtably won over the whole crowd. Her set, consisting of both originals and classic country covers, was entertaining even for those who had never heard of her. She truly knew her way around the stage, and her cover of The Devil Went Down To Georgia, as well as rock and roll covers too, made us love her immediately. The queue to meet her after her set wrapped around the barn, I have never seen anything like it in previous years. I have no doubt that she would be happily welcomed back to the UK by fans soon. The night and festival was then ended by The Country Orchestra, which went down a treat yet again. Consisting of country covers sung by everyone’s favourite UK country singers, the set was not one to miss and was seemingly enjoyed by everyone – nearly everyone in the barn was dancing and singing along.
Buckle and Boots 2024 was my favourite so far and is not, ever, a festival to miss if you love country music. With it’s beautiful surroundings, food, music and decorations (as well as decent facilities for a farm!), it is an incredible weekend.