Blustery beginnings
Greenbelter’s had to hold onto their hats this year as 30 mph winds swept across the site delaying the opening of the festival. When the gates were finally flung open the eager crowds shuffled their way back into the grounds of Boughton House, where Greenbelt has resided since 2013, searching for culture, theology and refreshment.
Unlike my previous two visits to Greenbelt, the heavens opened throughout the weekend leading to muddy puddles and bright wellies, but our spirits could not be dampened! For as Harry Baker says, who performed multiple times across the festival, in his poem ‘Wellies’, “I’d still rather be out in the rain than trying to rein it in”.
Positive vibes only
Vibes is a word that’s thrown around a lot these days, but nowhere has better ‘vibes’ than Greenbelt. If you’re put off because it’s a Christian festival, think of it instead as a festival of Christian values. It’s a broad church where everyone is loved, where difference is celebrated and where peace and respect for people and place are paramount. But don’t be fooled, there’s nothing wishy-washy about Greenbelt. It is powerful, courageous and uncompromising in its pursuit of a better world, and everyone can benefit from the magical space that they create every year.
Crowd pleasing headliners
The Glade stage was packed with incredible performances across the weekend with each headliner bringing something unique to the late night crowds. Corrine Bailey Rae bewitched us with the incredible storytelling of her newest album, Black Rainbows, inspired by a visit to an exhibition of Black history at the Stony Island Arts Bank in Chicago. Dutty Moonshine Big Band brought the party to Greenbelt’s Saturday night, with an exhilarating combination of electronic and swing that had the festival bouncing like I’d never seen before.
Flamy Grant was another huge success of this year’s festival, with performances at the Glade and Playhouse both drawing massive crowds. The drag queen from North Carolina brought divine vocals and boundless charm to the stage – she really was the talk of the festival! Having been raised by fundamental evangelists, Flamy wasn’t afraid of poking fun at the church, even bringing out a large puppet of Jesus to round off her final performance in a hilarious and memorable way.
New for 2024
Never comfortable resting on its laurels, Greenbelt broke more new ground this year adding even more venues and activities for festival goers. Firstly was Table, a returning food venue; think Great British Bake Off meets LBC (Leading Britain’s Conversation). In partnership with Refugees at Home, Table presented cookery demonstrations alongside positive stories of refugees who have settled in the UK, reframing the often-toxic rhetoric that accompanies displaced people.
Another addition this year was the No Fly Zone in the reimagined orchard of the grounds of Boughton House, in partnership with Christian Aid. Here festival goers could gather to hear from international voices without the unnecessary carbon cost of flying them in for the festival for a couple of days. This isn’t the only action Greenbelt is taking to be more environmentally friendly. They are also providing incentives for people to travel to the festival by train with rewards of vouchers that can be redeemed on food, drinks and festival guides. This is in light of the 2023 report that found that 98% of the carbon emissions of the Greenbelt are from travel to and from the festival.
Changing the world? Dream on!
Every year the festival sits under a theme that encompasses the primary goals of Greenbelt, for 2024 this was Dream On. Challenging the sarcastic phrase often levelled against dreamers and changemakers in an attempt to silence them, and replace it with hope and encouragement for people to dream of a better collective future. Over the three days there were talks covering a huge range of topics: the climate crisis and what individuals can do to make a difference, the desperate need for prison reform, the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine and the search for peace, and the growing influence that AI (Artificial Intelligence) has in our everyday lives, both positive and negative.
The world is a volatile place that feels more violent and uncertain day by day, but Greenbelt is not afraid to face these issues head on and hold space for difficult and often exhausting conversation and debate. The programming team does an excellent job however, and if some talks leave you on the brink of despair, there is always another venue just around the corner to soothe your mind and restore your faith in humanity.
Support for everyone
Greenbelt takes access and support very seriously, ensuring that everyone, regardless of access needs, can attend and enjoy the festival. These are just some of the ways that Greenbelt made the festival as inclusive as possible this year:
- Access Camping, closest to site with free luggage transportation.
- Access seating areas for every venue for those who need it.
- BSL interpreters for performances and talks across the site.
- Wellbeing Support Volunteers, providing emotional assistance to anyone who required it.
- Access Tent, a dedicated spot for access information and support.
All of this on top of a continued tiered ticketing scheme that was piloted last year, splitting tickets into three brackets, (supporter, standard, supported) ensuring that financial barriers can be overcome. Furthermore, Greenbelt have a scheme called Open Festival in which people who would usually be completely unable to attend can be nominated and have the chance to get a free ticket to experience the wonder of the festival. This scheme is particularly aimed at refugees and asylum seekers that Greenbelters might know from their churches or communities.
Unique experiences
Where else can you sing ‘Give Me Oil In My Lamp’ with a beer in hand? Where else can you watch a drag queen sing with a Jesus puppet on her hand? Where else could you and hundreds of strangers scream at the top of your lungs ‘I’m alive!’? Greenbelt, Greenbelt, Greenbelt. It’s only three days, and you might just have the best bank holiday of your life!
