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Festival Fever
From deep-rooted folk traditions to youth culture happenings: a celebration of the music and arts festivals of summers past.
From the early years of cultural behemoths like Glastonbury to intimate village affairs, summer memories are made of this. Featuring music performances running the gamut of folk to pop to rave, and with a special focus on the 1960s and 1970s, these documentaries and home movies remind us of the simple pleasures of letting our hair down. Travelling from genteel Aldeburgh to raucous Bardney, Brighton and Bickershaw, with stop-offs at Knebworth, Laugharne and Sidmouth, there’s a gathering to suit every taste. And if you get FOMO just remember - there’s always next year.
Glastonbury Festival and the First Pyramid Stage Glastonbury Festival and the First Pyramid Stage
Current affairs 1971 5 mins Location: Glastonbury
Glastonbury ley lines for iconic pyramid stage to heighten a festival-goer’s experience
The Sidmouth Folk Festival The Sidmouth Folk Festival
Current affairs 1970 7 mins Location: Sidmouth
International folk bands and troupes put on an act at Sidmouth
Notting Hill Carnival Notting Hill Carnival
Amateur film 1976 2 mins Silent Location: Notting Hill
Music, dancing and community characterise this short film from Notting Hill Carnival, 1976.
The Bardney Pop Festival The Bardney Pop Festival
News 1972 22 mins
Fly your freak flag high with this far-out film shot at the Great Western Express Festival in muddy May 1972.
Rave Rave
Documentary 1997 12 mins
Partying like it's 1997. We follow a rave DJ instigator rigging up decks in abandoned warehouses, a nosebleed 'techno tourist' who chases the hardcore around Europe and a girl addicted to... partying.
Frank at 'Cities in the Park' Frank at 'Cities in the Park'
Amateur film 1991 4 mins Silent Location: Heaton Park
Sunday in the park with Frank Sidebottom and the Manchester music mob.
West Indian Carnival West Indian Carnival
News 1980 6 mins Location: Leeds
In this celebratory short film, Leeds is transformed with colour and spectacle during the annual West Indian Carnival.
Glastonbury past and Present Glastonbury past and Present
Documentary 1922 68 mins Silent Location: Glastonbury
Druids, kings and mystics - rekindling the ancient spirit of Glastonbury.
Ancient Beltane Festival at Glastonbury Tor Ancient Beltane Festival at Glastonbury Tor
Current affairs 1966 1 mins Silent Location: Glastonbury Tor
Rite of spring is celebrated to signify renewal
Haytor Love-in Haytor Love-in
Current affairs 1967 1 mins Silent Location: Haytor Rocks
Hippies gather in Flower Power Love-in on Dartmoor’s Haytor
Architectural reporter David Young on Glastonbury Architectural reporter David Young on Glastonbury
Current affairs 1980 4 mins Silent Location: Glastonbury
David Young visits Glastonbury famous for its festival and its legends of King Arthur, the Holy Grail and Joseph of Arimathea
Newcastle Festival 1971 Newcastle Festival 1971
Amateur film 1971 8 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
An upbeat parade of funky trade floats hits the street to launch the Newcastle Festival in 1971.
Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music
News 1970 2 mins Silent Location: Shepton Mallet
Progressive gathering of festival goers hits the blues.
Exeter University Arts' Festival Exeter University Arts' Festival
Current affairs 1964 4 mins Location: Exeter
Art for Art! Fundraising at Exeter University in the form of an Arts Festival has raised money in the hopes of buying a new theatre
Billingham Folklore Festival 1965 Billingham Folklore Festival 1965
Amateur film 1965 16 mins Silent Location: Billingham
Reels, polkas, sword and Cossack folk dancers from around the world perform in colourful national costumes at the first Billingham Folklore Festival.
Bickershaw Festival Bickershaw Festival
Amateur film 1972 19 mins Silent Location: Bickershaw
Mud and music at Wigan's answer to Woodstock.
Dance Festival Dance Festival
Campaigning film 1969 21 mins Silent Location: Camden Town
Join distracted onlookers at a protest “be-in” at Camden’s Roundhouse –alongside portraits of Lenin and a giant inflatable phallus.
Scunthorpe International Folk Festival Scunthorpe International Folk Festival
Non-Fiction 1969 4 mins Silent Location: Scunthorpe
It’s the year of famous music festivals, and Scunthorpe has a rare opportunity to see some colourful national dress, dancing and folk music.
Grove Carnival Grove Carnival
Documentary 1981 18 mins Location: Notting Hill
West London echoes to the sound of reggae and steel pans in this kaleidoscopic record of the 1980 Notting Hill Carnival.
Brighton Arts Festival Brighton Arts Festival
1967 4 mins Silent
Behind the scenes at the very first Brighton Festival
Barsham Faire Barsham Faire
Amateur film 1974 6 mins Silent Location: Barsham Hill
In the 70s, Barsham Faire on August Bank Holiday became a tradition for many to celebrate things 'medieval' and raise funds for local arts events. It put Barsham on the map.
Laugharne: a flower festival and two carnivals Laugharne: a flower festival and two carnivals
Home movie 1952 15 mins Silent Location: Laugharne/Talacharn
Frocks and flowers fill the streets as the women and girls of Laugharne make their way to St Martin’s Church for the flower festival service.
Taunton Jazz Festival Taunton Jazz Festival
Current affairs 1962 12 mins Location: Taunton
Notable interviews are with some of the greatest jazz talent as music lovers gather to celebrate jazz, trad and free.
Minehead's Obby Oss Festival Minehead's Obby Oss Festival
Current affairs 1977 2 mins Silent Location: Minehead
A-maying at the Obby Oss Festival
Rocester Festival 1979 Rocester Festival 1979
Home movie 1979 9 mins Silent Location: Rocester
The Rocester Toppers and the Wakebourne Band ("...19 drums - one fiddle...") keep the carnival era alive in 1979.
Self-Conscious Over You Self-Conscious Over You
Documentary 1980 40 mins Location: Belfast
Witness The Outcasts at their incendiary best in this thrilling concert film
Explore further
Watch Glastonbury Fayre