When: 15th – 18th August 2024
Where: Wimborne St Giles, Dorset
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that seeing André 3000 as a headliner at this year’s We Out Here Festival wasn’t one of the driving reasons for attending, even though I knew that he’d be playing the flute and tracks from his instrumental and experimental album New Blue Sun.
However, these days, I’m looking for more from any music festival that I attend. Yes, it’s great to have an outstanding line-up, but there needs to be more going on, especially if any of us are going to be investing the cash equivalent of going on a mini holiday into any music event.
We Out Here Festival moved to its current site of Wimborne, St Giles in Dorset last year and in its second year on the site we were greeted with glorious sunshine as I arrived for my first festivalling day on the Friday. I was eager to explore before catching some of the big names lined-up on the main stage throughout the weekend. Of course I wouldn’t miss Mister Andre 3000, but other headliners included Sampha, Louie Vega, Corinne Bailey Rae, Kae Tempest, Obongjayar and the festival’s co-founder Gilles Peterson. All these names would be sure to bring together a genuinely eclectic mixture of festival goers and music lovers.
After completing one of the shortest walks I’ve ever had to do in order to enter a festival, I was met with smiling security and really chilled staff who appeared invested in giving attendees a good time from the moment they picked up their wristbands. Perhaps it was the weather, maybe everyone just seems happier with sunshine, I thought? As I entered the festival I was greeted with space and vast areas to roam, which was surprising as this isn’t one of the biggest festivals, attendance is around 25,000 people and that was reflected, it felt chill.
It wasn’t until I bumped into a fellow festival goer, who has attended every year since We Out Here was founded, that the feeling that this festival had something different, began to sink in. Yes, the music was paramount, but what trumped that was “the vibe”, he said.
With stages, music areas and dance spaces with names such as Lush Life, Rhythm Corner and Love Dancin’, enjoyment seemed to truly be at the heart here. Seeing Tomorrow’s Warrior’s and World Wide FM curating their corners of the festival made it feel inclusive and welcoming of all types of music creators and fans. There’s such an obsession with the new and the young in the music industry, so it was lovely watching Grammy-Award nominated Brazilian artist Rogê and hearing him talk about songs he’d written 15 years ago, as he played the guitar early on the Sunday morning, with the sun warming us all up as we listened.
Other than music, there were serious discussions being had at the Talks Tent. I was lucky enough to catch DJ and Producer Elijah in his no holds barred discussion on music in all of its forms, whilst touching on what each one of us can do to sustain this industry that we cherish.
Straight after that talk someone walked past me with a yoga mat uttering something about a lake, and I had to investigate. The Sanctuary, the area of the festival devoted to pausing and refreshing, was very well attended. The lovely weather made the lake located on the festival’s site a prime location. I wish I’d bought my swimming attire.
I was lucky enough to attend the festival with my 22 month old son over the weekend. Tickets are free for children under 15 (but they must be pre-booked). Within the festival’s dedicated family area we danced away to music from my West African heritage, alongside a very popular softplay and babysitting service for parents wanting to party whilst their children were entertained and looked after.
Let’s take it back to that all important André 3000 appearance. He drew in the crowds as expected and as I sat on a bench directly opposite the main stage New Blue Sun sounded exquisitely experimental and even braver live. I don’t think that anyone in the crowd walked away disappointed by what they heard. It was an afternoon slot that further relaxed the mood of the festival. What this showcased for me was a brilliant booking that the We Out Here team pulled off. There was a welcoming and attentive audience willing and ready to see a hip-hop legend play a variety of flutes. I don’t know if another festival could have pulled this remarkable move off, so effortlessly.
Another afternoon slot that bought a smile to my face, was the Corinne Bailey Rae set. Of course she played the classics, including my personal favourite ‘Like A Star’, but I was surprised to find that nobody was willing to let me squeeze into the front row, that’s how well attended her slot was. In her signature demure manner she lifted the crowd with her soft voice, humility and positivity.
We Out Here just felt embracing in an honest manner. It was clear from the programming and “the vibe”, that this was not at all left to chance. When one DJ shared that she was able to play Raï music from her north African background, an experience that she’d not done on UK soil before, it was clear that we all relaxed into the We Out Here atmos. This is a festival which prides itself on welcoming everyone, and this was showcased in the music, the attendees and additional activities programmed into the weekend. If you’re a music lover, or someone looking for a lovely festival experience, then head to We Out Here, which nicely boasts its ability to welcome everyone on some very humble shoulders.
