The team behind Between The Trees have curated a beautiful bubble of joy, one where the exhilaration of being enveloped in nature and away from modern distractions truly allows freedom and genuine exploration of wellness for the soul. Held among the natural beauty of Candleston Wood, in the Merthyr Mawr National Nature Reserve, Between The Trees feels more like a communion with the natural world than the frenetic, noisy and evermore commercialised festivals I have experienced.
Now in its eighth year, this unique not-for-profit festival combines nature, music, science and art under this year’s theme of ‘Journey, Pilgrimage and Migration’. The ethos of Between The Trees remains “to reconnect people to nature”; inspiring people to love and conserve nature, and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
The music is mainly folk in genre, with over 30 acts playing over the three days. Friday’s headliner Seth Lakeman opened the festival: his contemporary take on traditional folk enchanting the crowd, many of whom knew every word of his songs, and weren’t shy to sing along. With his dynamic band of talented musicians and infectious stage energy, Lakeman’s mixture of folk-rock foot-stompers and soulful ballads were the perfect start to the weekend.
Fellow Celts the Highlands’ Elephant Sessions, upped the tempo on Saturday night with their exciting blend of trad folk, funk and electronica – played on electric violin, lute and guitar, with a bass and drum-heavy backline providing an almost folk-rave effect which the crowd loved. Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys closed the festival with aplomb: a toe-tapping, hand-clapping set in which Kelly’s gorgeous vocals were perfectly complemented by his seven-piece band’s haunting melodies.
In addition to the headliners, plenty of homegrown talent was on display in the Niche, including Cerys Hafana playing the triple harp, and Mari Mathias and Gwilym Bowen Rhys showcasing their unique interpretations of traditional Welsh music.
Aside from live entertainment, festival-goers were invited to discover more about the magical coastal woods that this area boasts, via talks on fungi, foraging walks, herbal medicine and permaculture, plus lessons in willow-weaving, microscopy workshops and dance (the latter courtesy of Ballet Cymru). A particular highlight was the twmpath held in the Seren Barn: a traditional Welsh barn dance involving a live folk band and a caller, a hilariously rowdy affair that left all participants out of breath yet smiling.
For those who prefer to let off steam in a less energetic way, open mic sessions, choral singing and upcycle sessions were on offer, and the meditation station had a full timetable of not only meditation but yoga, qigong and radical kindness sessions. A range of treatments for soul and body could be booked in the wellbeing area, too.
This is a festival that more than lives up to its eco ethos and credentials. Renowned academics such as Professors Fiona Matthews, Eleanor Kean, Rob Thomas and Tim Kendall gave talks on subjects as diverse as crashing boars, beavers, bird migration and river pollution; TV presenter and writer Will Millard presented fascinating family sessions based around his travels and studies of indigenous tribal communities. The British Dragonfly Society was there to promote the conservation of these beautiful creatures, abundant in the nearby River Ewenny.
Between The Trees is a perfect festival for families: camping under the trees, adjacent to the sand dunes (and, as such, the sea and river) as well as the plethora of fun activities on offer make this a child’s paradise.
As a first-time BTT attendee, I’ll be sure to return. Sustainability was not an empty promise, but weaved into the fabric of the event from the food on offer and a complete absence of litter, to the wares on sale in the trader’s corner. Community and connection is at the heart of Between The Trees: a hidden gem of the festival circuit.
Between The Trees, Candleston Woods, Merthyr Mawr, Fri 25-Sun 27 Aug
words SARAH EDWARDS photos FRANCIS BROWN
