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GREENBELT 2004 – A Rookies Eye view!

As a Greenbelt rookie I completed my first day at Freedom Bound elated and feeling, yes, I've found my home!

The evening kicked off with the welcome in the Arena and we all felt saddened and somewhat bewildered by the crass knee jerk reaction of the Government to the Rumanian visa fiasco, which meant that the Dalit drummers were unreasonably prevented from attending. Interspersing handing out website addresses for Trafficlights4peace with visits to the tented village enriched me with the sense of community that pervades the canvass. I found many like-minded environmental pacifists in the pulse, all of whom were keen on the traffic light concept.
After leafleting I made my way to Stage 1 to see my first musical act and Plumb did not disappoint. Her energy both vocal and physical was unbridled despite her being due to give birth in early 2005.

After exploring the site I then hit Stage 2 to listen to what proved to be my favourite gig of the festival. If you've not heard Pure Reason Revolution yet, make sure you do at the next available opportunity. I must admit that I'm a sucker for exuberant keyboards combined with raw guitar riffs. The energy on stage had us all baying for more and the realisation as we experienced the buzz in the audience on leaving that we'd seen one of the best live acts around. It's a pity their CD is over-produced and doesn't repeat the thrill.

I ended the evening with a visit to the Performance Café to see the excellent Bodixa, performing 24 hours earlier than they'd anticipated, watching them coolly deliver a smooth performance and display one of the most seductive Leeds accents I've ever had the fortune to hear!
Saturday I attended the Stroud peace vigil before heading back to Cheltenham Racecourse. The evenings music started with the lively Yfriday and continued with the Violet Burning from whom Lennard Cohen and The Cure's influence shone through. The evening climaxed with the crowd sent 'Delirious?'! The band are clearly popular, clearly Christian; their rendition of Majesty being particularly memorable. The band is getting so popular now though, that they walk the tightrope of not confusing worship of our Lord with adoration of the band.

Sunday by comparison, for me, was little grey cells day, the eagerly awaited live interview with His Grace Archbishop Rowan Williams. How reassuring to have such a clearly clued-up progressive head of our native established church community. His comment on the media frenzy that makes any minor drama in the church into a crisis hit a resonance with an attentive audience. The warmth emanating from the Centaur's family littered floor was palpable. The delivery on Apostles and prophets was eagerly awaited. Before that I experienced the music of Gen under the cover of Stage 1 as the heavens opened for the first and only true downpour of the festival. I'd been fortunate enough to see Gen warm up on Friday, before most had arrived and the real performance was every bit as hard hitting from the nu-metal rockers.

As we settled down to the Archbishop again, his talk on Apostles and prophets from Jonah to Martin Luther King reminded me of Gilbert and Sullivan, ' a prophet's lot is not a happy one, …happy one!' If you ever wanted to be a prophet, forget it, it's God's choice! One nugget of information the Archbishop mentioned is that there are in Jewish teachings reputed to be a set number of prophets at any precise time performing deeds rather than orating in this world. Maybe there was one standing next to me or you at that gig at Greenbelt?!

Glasgow's very own Poor Old Ben was my next musical port of call and following a fire alarm delay (does this mean they're a hot act?!) they warmed their audience with melodic Celtic abandon.

I made my way over to the Jesus Christ Superstar Tent to purchase the much vaunted and ubiquitous tee shirt, checking it was fair traded, but then did I ever doubt it would be?! A browse through the book stall and a chat with the angels, so I could find out how easy it is to become one and help ensure this Festival goes from strength to strength.

Monday saw me back on the leafleting trail for peace and care for the world, whilst looking forward to the headlining act from Jamelia. I then took a look around the various stalls in the market place and found a few mementos of the Festival to remind me of a spiritually refreshing 4 days. The Mexican rug, decorated lanterns and wind chime have already been put into service!
On the way to Stage 1, to await Jamelia, I noticed a near capacity crowd waiting for Stage 2. Curiosity got the better of me and I joined the queue. I found myself amongst fans of the nostalgic rock group 'After the Fire'. For some, especially the individual in front of me, it was the highlight of the Bank Holiday weekend. I could see why they had kept a strong fan base and so as I exited after the last number and realised that I'd missed a good chunk of Jamelia, I wasn't too upset.

Jamelia was in full flow with her rendition of Cold Play's 'Clocks' and dare I say she sounded Chris Martin's equal! The encore had to be Superstar and so it was, fittingly closing what had been a memorable festival for me. From the buzz in the air as I left, I knew I wasn't alone in thinking that I can't wait 'till next year!

Despite being a local to the event, I shall seriously consider staying on site under canvass next time around to experience the full atmosphere.
God bless and see you next year,
Jonathan Whittaker.

Dr. Jonathan Whittaker is an active member of St.Andrew's Church , Churchdown, Gloucestershire and the main Editor of Trafficlights4peace.