Kite Festival 2023 - Review

Kite Festival 2023: A soaring celebration of music and ideas

Kite Festival is not your typical music festival. It’s a three-day extravaganza of live performances, talks, workshops, comedy, food and more, held in the picturesque grounds of Kirtlington Park in Oxfordshire. It’s a place where you can listen to some of the best acts in the UK, while also engaging with some of the most influential thinkers and writers of our time.

On site there are eight different size tents showcasing the talks and music.

As well as the music, there was plenty to see and do at Kite Festival. We attended some of the talks by celebrities and experts, such as comedian David Baddiel, who discussed his new book about his family history; former Prime Minister Sir John Major, who shared his insights on Brexit and global politics; chef Prue Leith, who discussed all things food; and economist Martin Wolf, who discussed the capitalism crisis. But probably the biggest name of the day was Dame Joan Collins, who was a pleasure to listen to in the large Forum tent.

Whilst the day was mostly taken up by talks and lesser known musical artists, the main Kite Stage got going around 5.15pm by no other than Candi Staton. The tent was full, it was hot, and the fans were ready. Candi, with her first UK trip for 5 years, took us through the hits - 'Stand by Your Man' and 'Suspicious Minds' before hitting us with the timeless classic 'Young Hearts Run Free'. The crowd were buzzing, but Candi slowed things down to tell her story of having cancer and becoming cancer free. Amazing. And then, probably one of the most recognisable baselines of all time. 'You've got the love' has been reworked so many times, and it's such an amazing song. A great way to finish the first act of the day.

In a somewhat quieter Kite Tent, August Charles took to the stage to do his stuff. The Jazzy Soul R&B singer songwriter was new to us, but he had a confident stage presence, and delivered a good set, winning over some new fans, us being one of them. The rising star of British R&B proved why he is one to watch with a smooth and sultry set that showcased his velvety vocals and catchy tunes.

Early evening came and Alison Goldfrapp took to the main stage with her band and dancers to deliver a dazzling performance of electro-pop gems. Dressed in a blue sequined jumpsuit, she looked like a futuristic superheroine as she sang songs from her six albums, covering both solo stuff and the Goldfrapp classics.

Headliners for the day were Hot Chip. The indie-electro band closed the festival with a bang, delivering a euphoric and exhilarating set that had everyone dancing their socks off. Coming on stage to 'Huarache Lights' set the tone for the next 75 minutes, with classics like 'And I Was a Boy From School', 'Ready for the Floor' and personal favourite 'One Life Stand'. The band were tight, and seemed to be enjoying themselves dancing together on stage. Not long before the end they noticed in the crowd someone that had a monkey on a stick with a minuture symbol, which led nicely into 'Over and Over'.

The festival was not only about music, though. It was also a place where you could enjoy some delicious food from around the world, such as Taste Tibet’s himalayan Chicken Curry and Dumplings, which were spicy and filling.

The festival site was very clean and well-organised, with plenty of facilities, as well as a kids area. There were plenty of kids on site seemingly enjoying themselves. The transport and logistics were smooth and efficient, with regular shuttle buses to and from the nearest train station.

Kite Festival was a wonderful experience that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves music and culture. It was a rare opportunity to see some amazing artists live, while also learning from some brilliant minds. It was a festival that celebrated creativity, diversity and community. It was a festival that made me think.

KITE returns in 2024 - 7th – 9th June