Last weekend Smoked & Uncut took over THE PIG-near Bath with a 2 day festival extravaganza. The Saturday was not only day one of the festival, it was also our birthday, 5 years since the very first Pig opened it's doors! And we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate our birthday then sitting in the sunshine with a cocktail and listening to great music.
The 23rd July was the inaugural International Busking Day and we got into the busking spirit at Smoked & Uncut as our acoustic stage became the 'busking stage' for the day. Busking ambassador Danny Goffey opened up whilst Hugh Cornwell, our Saturday headliner, is also an amassador for buskers. Throughout the day we also had busking sets from Rebecca Shelley, Tony Bowen (aka the Human Jukebox), Ryan Green (of BBC's The Voice fame) and Jay Johnson (a resident artist at the world-famous Roundhouse venue in London).
Over on the main stage, Gloucestershire based singer-songwriter Hattie Briggs kicked of the festival with her pop, folk, soul and blues music followed by four-piece rootsy blues-rock band Hot Feet. Chris Difford entertained the crowds with Squeeze classics such as Cool For Cats, Up The Junction & Labelled With Love.
Hidden Charms - "a serendipitously assembled garage rock outfit chock full of swampy rhythm and blues" - then took to the stage followed by Syd Arthur. Then as the day drew to an end headliner Hugh Cornwell, the original Stranglers frontman, took to the stage.
To finish the day in true busking spirit, regular Bath buskers Bare Knuckle Parade played an evening set at the bar as day-revellers headed home, and our glamping guests got ready for a signature family style campfire dinner, prepared by chef Angela Hartnett, complete with more musical entertainment.
Day 2 of the festival and there was a few more clouds in the sky and even a few outbursts of rain. But to a sea of Piggy pink umbrellas the bands and the music carried on. Our previous day's busking stage, once again returned to an acoustic stage and we were treated to the likes of Jacob Riddall, Lady Nade and Mae Bradbury.
On the main stage the beautiful Delilah Montagu opened up the festival. She was followed by local singer / musician Fenne Lily. Ramona Flowers were fantastic on stage, their music mixing electronica, rock & indie. As the cloud started to clear and we saw patches of blue sky brothers Harry and Alfie, of band Hudson Taylor hit the stage, my personal favourite band of the weekend. Finally, one of the finest indie bands of the last decade, Turin Brakes closed the festival as our Sunday headliner.
So aside from all the music, we must mention the quaffing & troughing that took place at the festival!
So first up, troughing.... Our food stalls were bigger & better then ever. Our legendary BBQ was bought to you by Big Green Egg serving beef short ribs, venison sausages and corn-on-the cob. Fried chicken wraps and fish finger sandwiches were served from an Airstream and for those looking to stock up on their five-a-day, we had our salad bar "1 Salad Row." Of course, many festival goers also snacked on our famous Piggy flatbreads served from our wood fired oven. For those with a sweeter tooth... Old school ice-creams and classic English cakes from our cake stall (best served with a cup of teapigs or Extract coffee.
As for quaffing... As well as local ales & ciders and our own Pig Hut wine we also had a Chase Distellery bar serving Chase Vodka and Williams Gin cocktails with mixers from Fever Tree.
Festival goers also enjoyed drinks from Lanique, Pedrino tonic and English fizz from Hambledon Vineyard.
If you didnt make the festival, we still have one more Piggy date upcoming. Smoked & Uncut takes over THE PIG, Brockenhurst on Sunday 4th September - and you can buy tickets here.
