Twinwood Festival 2021
It has been so long since I last went to a live music event that I had almost forgotten the pure elation that takes over my body as soon as the first chord was struck. This weekend, it seemed like I was living on a different planet. I had almost forgotten the feeling of having a stranger brush my shoulder, or the slightly claustrophobic feeling of a packed dance floor... Twinwood Festival, a festival devoted entirely to the music and fashions of the 40s, 50s and 60s, gave me back the sense of freedom that I had once thought was lost forever because of the coronavirus pandemic.
I camped close to the show ground, and fell asleep each night to the sound of the music which I love so deeply. I woke up each morning to the sounds of an orchestra playing the main arena stage, and showered with my ears still ringing with the music of the incredibly talented musicians which play the festival. It felt magnificent.
Having previously attended the festival for the first time in 2019 (article here), I knew a little of what to expect; gorgeous up-dos and poodle skirts on the ladies, suspenders on the men and children with knee high socks... again, I felt under dressed, but it was very cold weather this year and so my jeans and denim jacket, I felt, were justified.
As last time, there were some fantastic acts; not least Steve Halliday as Elvis Presley and his fiance, Cassandra, as Priscilla Presley, as well as 60s cover band The Overtures, proclaimed by Sir Elton John as "the best band of their kind in the world" (and indeed they are!).
Of course, the festival is held together by Miss Lola Lamour, the glamorous red head who looks like a 1950s pin-up model. She finished the entire festival on Monday night with a stunning rendition of (I Can't Get) No Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones, impersonating Mick Jagger spectacularly.
All-in-all, I can't wait to attend Twinwood again next year (covid willing!) The atmosphere is always electric, the acts phenomenal and the organisation out of this world. It is truly not an event to miss, and was the highlight of my year (not that it had much to contend with!)