Ivylive Festival and the unseen side of Devon

Ivylive Festival 2011 Preview.

Mention Devon, and most people’s minds will automatically conjure images of rugged coastlines, cream teas and cider. But there is an unseen side to Devon that passes unnoticed among those visiting the birthplace of author Agatha Christie, computer pioneer Charles Babbage and a host of other famous Devonians.
But once a year, this unseen side of Devon culture bubbles to the surface like musical lava from a long-dormant volcano as Ivylive throws open its doors (or should that be gates?) to showcase local musical talent and to provide locals with a chance to see some of the best live bands in the business today.
Billed as “Summer’s Last Stand”, this year’s Ivylive takes place at Filham Park in Ivybridge from 9 to 11 September and will provide festival-goers to give their tents and wellingtons one final outing before they’re put back into storage for another year.

This year’s event is set to be a perfect mix of Devon talent and bands with a growing national following. Cosmo Jarvis, fresh from winning “song of the week” plaudits in The Sunday Times, and local heroes The Days will be performing alongside the reggae infused The Skints and the punk/ska influenced The King Blues – perhaps the best live act in the country today – both making the journey from their native London.

Clement Marfo & The Frontline, Mad Dog McRea, Monkey, Crazy Arm, Josh Bray Band and Willie & The Bandits will also be stirred into the mix to make Ivylive the place to be for three days in September.

The organisers are playing their cards very close to their chests over who will headline the Friday and Saturday evenings, and speculation is rife among music fans as to who might fill the top slot. Sam Duckworth’s Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly played a storming set as the 2010 headliners, rumours suggest that the band is currently rehearsing together, and their mix of punk-infused folk music would certainly be a fitting addition to and already impressive line-up. But watch this space to find out more.

But whoever gets the headline slot, they’d best bring their A Game. In Cosmo Jarvis, Devonians have some serious home-grown talent; and live, the mighty King Blues can hold their own alongside the very best in the business.

So before you book that late summer holiday for one last party in the sunshine, check out Ivylive – You don’t know what you’re missing.