Craigo Fest

On the 10th of July 2026, Lucy and Luke opened their doors on Craigo Farm for the second of what many hope will be an annual Craigo Fest. Craigo Farm is nestled in a crook of land in Wales near Tintern in the Wye Valley. Less than 40 minutes drive from Bristol on a good day, it is a world apart from city life.

Those who arrived on Friday will have found a set-up any professional festival planner would be enviable of - designated areas for camping divided in to vans, tents and a family area; portaloos to accommodate the population of Craigo Farm increasing by 2000% for the weekend, a thoughtful bin systems and wooden plaques dotted around to let you know what’s what.

By Friday evening a crowd of friends, family and neighbours had gathered and the festival was kicked off by FAHUM, a four part folky band. This was to be one of nine bands to play an eclectic mix of folk, ballads, rock and country. Many of the performers arrived as friends of Lucy and Luke; those that were strangers were friends by the end of the weekend as the festival brought friends and strangers, young and old, together and into the fold.

In a gathering that had a sense of timelessness, Friday night was brought to a close by a throat singing performance round a campfire. The performers and watchers on alike were cast orange by the glow of the fire that occasionally flickered blue and green in a way that suggested the otherworldly might be present.

Saturday brought another hot, bright, dry day. Those who were listening to the radio over breakfast will have heard news that the risk of wildfires had never been so high, with fire fighting services tackling wildfires up and down the country. Craigo Farm was well equipped to provide relief from the heat. Two large silk parachutes provided shade and brilliant colour to the grass dance floor in front of the main stage and over the patio. The parachutes were provided by a neighbour and were one of the many things from equipment to food that was provided in a reciprocal spirit by the extended community present.

Water also provided relief from the heat, with a paddling pool that was a hit with both children and adults. A water gun or two was making the rounds and with small children finding great entertainment in misting themselves and the shins of adults. Other watery relief could be found in the stream under the trees that ran alongside the camping field. Someone had built a beautiful wattle and daub damn that had created a small pool of fresh water in the shade - a wellness spa that many went back and forth to for relief from the sun. The festival was full of people with interesting, traditional and practical skills. If the outside world were to disappear, the Carigo Fest community would most likely have all the skills needed to rebuild a society.

At 9pm on Saturday the schedule of live music on the main stage came to a close and the rave cave opened for business but before raving could begin, a ceremony was to be carried out. Everyone migrated from the field with the main stage to the area under the trees with bare ground where the throat singing had taken place. Here, the crowd gathered around a 8 foot tall wooden dragon that had, of course, been built by a friend in the group.

The dragon was sculptural with details in the eyes and mouth, it had scales and wings that were drawn up and back like a bird taking flight. In its scales were small brown cards with handwritten messages from those in the crowd - messages of hope or things people wanted to let go of. A fire spinner, topless with a kilt for modesty, walked down through the field towards the crowd and the dragon. He approached the dragon and set it alight with the flaming torch. The dragon went up in flames with the messages for the heavens. The crowd watched as the flames licked at the sky. The heat was enormous and the spectacle hypnotic. The crowd watched united in fire gazing as night fell.

Night did not bring sleep. The crowd split in to ravers and football watches as England played Norway in the World Cup. The night was full of cheers from the football and bass from the rave cave and an occasional cry from a baby.

Craigo Fest ended how it began, with people helping to clear up what they had created. Sunday was a day to pack down, rest and recover, though many headed down to Tintern for Folk on the Lawn. More music and beer and sunshine. It is the summer after all.