In the Woods Festival

In The Woods
Dates	First weekend of September
Location(s)	Kent, England, United Kingdom
Years active	2006–present
Website
http://www.inthewoodsfestival.co.uk

In The Woods Festival is an annual independent music festival in England which focuses on promoting up and coming talent in the music industry and the arts. The festival is set in private woodland in Kent and usually takes place on the first full weekend of September, commencing on the Friday afternoon for two days and nights.^[1] It is hosted and curated by the band Laurel Collective and organised with friends Tim Adam-Smith and Will Brown.^[2] The first event was held in 2006 as a party for friends with 80 people attending and has subsequently grown to a capacity of 1000, a size which the organisers wish to keep the same. The location of the festival is undisclosed to the public and is only revealed to guests attending shortly before the festival starts. Since 2009 In The Woods has been compered by Xfm's John Kennedy.

Winners of ‘Best Independent Festival’ at 2013 AIM awards this just over 1000 capacity festival which is co-directed by MPG / Brit Award Best Producer of 2016 Charlie Andrew (the man behind Alt J’s number one album) is a real gem with some unique quirks that set it apart from the many boutique events on offer. Punters watch bands over 2 intimate stages under the beautifully-lit forest canopy, discovering intriguing art installations along their way. Meanwhile, locally-sourced food and ale, a silent disco, cinema and giant midnight bonfire keep things going until sunrise.

With a firm focus on talent rather than hype, the festival curators pride themselves on consistently picking the best new acts months or even years before they make it big. Confident that punters will know that the next Alt-J, Lianne La Havas or Jack Garratt will be on the bill, the ITW team choose not to release the line-up until close to the event. It’s about discovery and such is their growing cult following, you can’t hang if you want a ticket - this show sells out fast.

Having garnered a reputation throughout the industry for championing the best of new music and unearthing future stars before mainstream success, this party is not to be missed.

History

The inspiration behind the festival came when Laurel Collective drummer Charlie Andrew and guitarist Olly Puglisi were walking Mulberry (Charlie's dog) through the woods and had the idea of putting on a DIY festival with their band and their friends.^[3] In August 2006 the first event took place with 4 acts and one stage and has grown organically ever since.

Stages

View from top of The Quarry

Laurel Lounge

The music is performed over two stages, with an additional stage for spoken word and a silent disco.

The Quarry

The Quarry is the main stage and is located in a disused clay quarry which forms a natural amphitheatre amongst the trees and serves as the main performance area.

Laurel Lounge

The Laurel Lounge is the second stage which is set amongst laurel trees and plays to host to the more acoustic acts of the festival.

Spoken Word Stage

The Spoken Word Stage, located in a stunning woodland grove and amplified through individual wireless headphones, is the venue for a programme of poetry, storytelling and comedy curated by the singer and songwriter Richard Navarro.

Awards

In 2013 ITW won 'Best Independent Festival' at the AIM awards. The festival was also nominated for 'Best Line-up' and 'Best Grass-roots festival' at the 2013 UK Festival awards.

Past Line Ups

2016

The Quarry
Benjamin Francis Leftwich
The Invisible ft. Sivu, ESKA, Rosie Lowe, Georgia, Ade Omotayo & LCV choir
The Cribs
Weaves
Sevdaliza
Bad Sounds
Will Joseph Cook
Elderbrook
Shame
Roseau
Wovoka Gentle
Willie J Healey
Bruce O Yates

Laurel Lounge
Laurel Collective
Jorja Smith
Francobollo
Trim
Let’s Eat Grandma
Jennifer Evans
Strong Asian Mothers
Adam Betts
Dreller
ILK
Matt Woods

2014

The Quarry
Laura Marling
Toddla T
Glass Animals
Kate Tempest
Years & Years
Francobollo
Pomrad
Nao
Kyan
Shopping
Febueder

Laurel Lounge
Marika Hackman
Slaves
Soak
Jack Garratt
Gengahr
Trudie Dawn Smith
Ichi
Laura J Martin
Juffage
Rachael Lander

2013

The Quarry
Lianne La Havas
Ghostpoet
Drenge
Findlay
Young Fathers
Sivu
Superfood
Landshapes
Khushi
Benin City
Phox
Emperor Yes

Laurel Lounge
Kwabs
Fimber Bravo
Marika Hackman
Maxixe
Soccer 96
Nick Mulvey
Hello Skinny
Rosie Lowe
Fun Adults
Barnacles

2012

'The Quarry
Alt-J (∆)
Laurel Collective
Dog Is Dead
AlunaGeorge
Kwes
Peter and Kerry
Raisa K
Fiction

Laurel Lounge
Stealing Sheep
Nordic Giants
Eska
Tanya Auclair
Beaty Heart
SiVU
Maia
Nathan Holme

Spoken Word (new for 2012)

Charlie Dupre, The Freewheelin' Troubadour, Juha Virtanen, Richard Dadd, Indigo Williams, Dorothy Lehane/Richard Navarro

2011

The Quarry

Micachu and the Shapes
Laurel Collective
Post War Years
Man Like Me
Pete and the Pirates
DELS
Three Trapped Tigers
Clout!

Laurel Lounge
Anais Mitchell
Lucy Rose
Lianne La Havas
Alt-J (∆)
Peter and Kerry
Oliver Coates + Moates and Thrones
Elan Tamara
L.A. Salami
Dogtanion

2010

The Quarry
Anna Calvi
Laurel Collective
Connan Mockasin
Poino
Vadoinmessico
John & Jehn
Lail Arad
David's Lyre

Laurel Lounge
The Invisible
Lime Headed Dog
Lulu & The Lampshades
Honeytrap
Mariners Children
Tristram
Raven

2009

The Quarry
The Invisible
Anna Calvi
Laurel Collective
Micachu and the Shapes
Pete and the Pirates
Connan Mockasin
Screaming Tea Party
Alessi's Ark

Laurel Lounge

Olivia Chaney
Honeytrap
Josie Lloyd
Lail Arad
Russel Joslin
Oli Wennink
Inner City Pirates

References