Livestock Music Festival is a Music Festival in Ivybridge, Devon. It takes place in Jez's Field near Filham and takes it's name from the cows which usually reside on the farmland. The history of the festival dates back to 2001 and has been held annually ever since - celebrating it's 12th edition in 2012. Globally renowned acts such as The Rubber Band BANNED, White Tripe, The Set Blaggers and Ukejam have all performed on the main stage making it one of the biggest spectacles of the music calendar.
History
edit2001
editThe festival began 2001 when the organisers threw a big party in one of Jez’s fields and watched England dismantle Germany 5-1 in a World Cup Qualifier. They then danced into the small hours of the morning to headlining act DJ Rodney and legendary bands The Rubber Band BANNED and Hey You’re Pretty Good.
2002
edit2002 built on the successes of the founding year, seeing a major increase in infrastructure, with big development in both stage and sound equipment. The audience grew too, and watched Matt Board make his Livestock debut, DJ Ian T go hard as hock, and Powello and Lewis’s punk set – which would forever be remembered as one of the wildest sets in Livestock history.
2003
edit2003 was bigger still and a lively festival crowd watched local favourites Quarantine, White Tripe, and Bint rock the ‘stock in the afternoon, while Jez and Pricey produced a stand out Hip-Hop set before headliners The Rubber Band BANNED played what is remembered as their break-through performance, accompanying the release of their Cloakroom Raffle EP.
2004
edit2004 saw a field change and was the first two day Livestock. The highlight of the festival weekend being the top hats which adorned the head of every guest and DA in his debut DJ set.
2005
editIn 2005 Livestock again moved to another new field, and it also saw Powello make his acoustic guitar debut, with a crazy collection of outrageous pop and rock covers living long in the memory.
2006
edit2006 was a huge spectacle over two nights, and is remembered by many as the finest Livestock festival ever. The first night saw Remediation, the Set Blaggers and the Frozen Willies play on the main stage. On Saturday Powello continued to impress with new songs ‘'The Livestock Song and Revolving Masturbation Station looking nailed on as Livestock classics. Paul Dalton and Jiggy/Sawdust played too, before The Rubber Band BANNED played probably their best ever set.
2007
editIn 2007, the availability of the field looked to have brought the festival to a close. However about 40 die-hards made sure the Livestock line remained unbroken with a low key festival on Dartmoor dubbed '‘Madness On The Moors’'. Powello headlined accompanied by a 10 piece brass-band. A roaring acoustic campfire session went through the night, with drinking games and wild sing-alongs.
2008 & 2009
edit2008 and 2009 explored whole new realms, as the ‘Fun In The Forest’ adventures began. With an amazingly atmospheric woodland setting, enthusiasm and creativity flowed – The Rubber Band BANNED returning and the Yacht Boat Band, The Bum Band and Token Black Guy all making their debuts on the Livestock Festival Stage.
2010
editIn 2010, on the 10th anniversary, Livestock returned to its spiritual homeland of Jez’s field for a spectacular festival that had pretty much everything that the masses had come to expect. A) Wood Pigeon, The Bum Band, Paul Dalton, the Yacht Boat Band and The Rubber Band BANNED all played on the main stage and festivities continued long into the night.
2011
edit2011 rocked out Jez’s field for another year and the eleventh Livestock festival was a massive success. Si Purse and a legendary debut banjo set from Jim Dahl kicked off proceedings, while Nick Nack Paddy Whack, Janner’s Handbag, Powello, Livestock’s Got Talent and wrestling from Rea and Jez provided the entertainment. Numerous bottles of Buckfast and three kegs of home-brewed ale provided the merriment ensuring the festivities continued early into the morning around the campfire.
2012
editThe 2012 festival again spanned 2 nights with local favourites [Hillhead] providing memorable headlining acoustic performance on the Friday night. Saturday kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony based on Danny Boyle's 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony. The crowds were entertained by A) Wood Pigeon, Nick Knack Paddy Whack (in their last ever set), Si Purse and the Nefarious Picaroons. These were followed by a stand out performance from new act The Locksmiths, Powello with another stunning performance and the undisputed set of the evening from local legend Jim Dahl. Livestock's Got Talent returned followed by The Rubber Band BANNED and headliners Ukejam who rounded off a memorable evening.