Festivals are a respectable and integral part of a British summer these days, but it aint always been that way. This is the story of those that died in the festival wars so people could wander around farms in designer wellies and big foam hats without getting arrested.

Not quite the definitive history of the UK free festival scene of the 70s/80s/90s, more a snap shot – an oral history with a collection of anecdotes from people who were there at the time.

Bridget Wishart, member of the Hippy Slags and the only woman ever to front Hawkwind, is as well connected as anyone to collate these stories. The list of contributors reads like a who is who of UK counterculture. Nick Turner (Hawkwind), Swordfish (Magic Mushroom Band), Penny Rimbaud (Crass), Mick Farren (Pink Fairies and journalist) are just the tip of the iceberg of the contributors. Even our own Clint Iguana gets to have a say. Bridget Wishart herself is particularly open and talks of personal issues she had to deal with as a result of being involved with the scene. Continue reading FESTIVALIZED – Ian Abrahams and Bridget Wishart →