Greenbelt 2013

Greenbelt reached it 40th edition this year. If you're not familiar with Greenbelt, it's an arts festival at Cheltenham race course, with a Christian background, but by no means limited to Christian input. Music, drama, literature, and talks addressing matters of faith and justice all feature, along with a good dose of silliness and fun. There are always several venues functioning, so there is plenty of choice as to how to spend the time. There are also plenty of stalls, (organic/fair trade/responsibly sourced) catering vans and displays to browse if you want to take a bit of time out. So what were my picks for 2013?

Jazz Church

Andy Flannagan and friends

There is usually some opening worship so we went along to Jazz Church in the Big Top. Some classic hymns to new arrangements mixed with a jazz take on more contemporary ones, including "Heaven" by Gungor. Not something you could sustain very often, but a great idea and a fresh take on some familiar tunes. I also got along to Ben Cantelon on Sunday doing set of contemporary worship songs in a (dare I say) more conventional way. Andy Flannagan closed things off on Monday with an interesting mix of him, a DJ and a man on a trombone. Somehow it worked.

Other options over the weekend, apart from the main worship on Sunday morning included eucharists from Blessed, an alt-worship sacramental community, another used music from Les Miserables, there was a U2charist and a goth mass. You could get close to nature with Forest Church, of you prefer it quiet, Quakers and Franciscans offer alternatives!

The range of music on offer is always a highlight for me. You can usually find a good selection of singer-songwriters around the place at the Performance Cafe (this year changed to a venue not a cafe!), the CD tent, the Christian Aid tent and the Shed - the youth venue. Martyn Joseph is usually on the list and he also hosts a session (The Rising) with musicians each day to talk about their work and share songs. We caught him talking to old-timer Garth Hewitt and two newer artists, Carrie Rodriguez and Blair Dunlop. The latter 2 were so good we spent 2 hours sitting on the floor of the Performance cafe for their afternoon sets. Blair Dunlop is a great guitarist and writes interesting songs; Carrie Rodriguez is more country influenced but avoids the country cliches. Ably assisted by Luke Jacobs on guitar and sometimes singing and playing the violin at the same time, she had real quality. Also caught Stylusboy from Coventry and Andy Howie from Scotland, but missed plenty more.

The Boxettes at The Performance Cafe

The word 'box' seemed to dominate music on Saturday. Boxes is a solo project by Carey Willetts of the band Athlete (who headlined our first Greenbelt in 2009). Playing solo with a variety of backing effects he did a good set. Later The Boxettes appeared. 4 singers and world champion beat boxer Bellatrix with no instrumentation or backing track, they delivered a great energetic set. More followed at the Performance Cafe, including an improvisation using three words from the audience. They're still unsigned and have far more talent than most 'girl groups', so somebody get them a contract! Also caught Black Rebel Motorcycle Club for some serious rock.

Panel discussion featuring Jim Wallis
and Richard Coles

The talks programme is always interesting, usually challenging, often inspiring and rarely without something controversial in there somewhere. Caught a nice little session with Martyn Joseph speaking about songwriting. Graham Cray spoke about what kind of church seems to be emerging for the future. Maybe I've been to too many sessions and read too many books on this, but I didn't find this very inspiring. However, Jim Wallis gave a very challenging, inspiring and yet very accessible address on 10 personal decisions you can make for the common good. I missed most of Steve Chalke, but I gather he was very good, but I did catch Rachel Mann on being a trans lesbian priest in the church today. that's not a talk I'd heard before, and it had a lot of insights.

Comedy from Paul Kerensa

The Christian Aid tent had a comprehensive programme. regular live music from Harry Bird and the Rubber Wellies, Paul Field and others. Interviews and panel discussions took place throughout and we also got some poetry from Harry Baker and comedy from Paul Kerensa, who writes for Miranda and other radio and TV shows. Meanwhile the cafe team made it a place to take a break and get some refreshment.

What else? Well there's always something going on. Giant puppets, a stage where anyone can have a go at a song, art installations, book launches, a beer tent (The Jesus Arms) and bumping into people you haven't seen for years.

This year there was little rain, no mud, and a new layout to avoid the quagmire of 2012. They did well, given the constraints, and we're sure to be back in future years.

Greenbelt 2011 Diary: Monday

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeAlways feel a bit wistful on the last day of something like this. Just as you're getting used to camping, and have worked out the good food vans, and also have a clear idea where the decent loos are, it all comes to an end. Also tends to be the day when you bump into friends you were hoping to see all weekend, but somehow didn't.

The final Greenbelt day kicked off with a session led by Nadia Bolz-Weber (from House for all Sinners and Saints in Colorado) on the process of preparing a sermon. I've heard plenty of talks on how to preach - most of them very sound and very dull - and given a few myself. This was much more interesting, as she talked us through her week. Starting with reading the text for Sunday on Tuesday morning, and then processing all the things that happened and trying to discern the gospel - the good news - for her community. Having done that, she then preached the sermon. She used a fantastic image of wrestling with the text all week, preaching the sermon, and walking away limping. Despite being associated with the 'emergent' movement, she doesn't go in for tech or trendy presentation. She quite likes the idea of chuch being a bit odd.

As a recovering addict (clean 20 yrs) and having had quite a life, some of that colour comes out in her speaking and language, but the Lutheran theology that helped her embrace the possibility of faith still runs through her thought in a very compelling way.

Then it was an opportune moment to deconstruct the tent - didn't want to be doing that a) in the rain, b) in the dark, c) during something I really wanted to go to. Tent down and packed and lunch eaten, it was off to hear Andy Graystone's talk: Parts of me are dying. Andy is director of the Church and Media Network, which seeks to resource both the Church and the media in relating to and understanding one another. He has worked for BBC religion and produced radio and TV programmes.

Andy has an early diagnosed cancer, and spoke in a very amusing and engaging way about his experiences, the choices before him, and how he understands what is happening to him. One point particularly stood out - the terminology about cancer. He is uncomfortable with the fighting/battling talk, along with hero/victim terminology. As he put it, he sometimes feels an unwilling conscript in a war, not that he wouldn't want to be clear of cancer - it's the culture and mindset those terms imply. He also talked through how it focusses the mind on whether you actually believe in life after death or not.

The it was off to mainstage for a bit of Ahab. 'folk flavoured country-rock' was the description - an American influenced Uk band. Good fun and great live. They will soon be supporting Bellowhead on tour. Bit more Iain Archer on mainstage, but having already seen him twice, had a last look around. Then back for Kate Rusby. I'm not a full-on folkie, but she's very accessible, her voice is great, and I've rarely seen someone enjoy performing live quite so much. Apparently her first Greenbelt experience was as a teenager in 1990!

Then it was time for us to leave. Ron Sexsmith and Mavis Staples were to follow, so it was a strong line-up, but the M5/M6 called and we wanted to get home on Monday. Whether you're a camper or go for the soft option of an off-site hotel, whether you like it loud or quiet, whether you're a Christian or not, there'll be something somewhere in a Greenbelt festival that will make it worth your while coming.

Related articles

• Nadia Bolz-Weber on Preaching (revdlesley.net)

Greenbelt 2011 Diary: Sunday

Image via WikipediaSunday started slowly, which was nice, as it usually starts with a painful alarm at about 6.50 to get me awake enough to be showered, dressed, ready and set up for 8am communion. There are advantages in being a morning person, so any tips on converting to one would be welcome!

Back to Greenbelt. First appointment was with "the Rising", a session in the big venue (Centaur) where singer/songwriters talk about and perform some songs. Martyn Joseph was host, and the line up included Duke Special, Gordon Gano, Cathy Burton and the remarkable young talent that is Luke Jackson. Duke's idiosyncratic songs always tell interesting stories, and he sang one he had written inspired by old pictures. Cathy writes both worship songs and others that convey something about her faith. Gordon strummed his violin, and led us in an old song that he had adopted/adapted.

The memorable moment, however was Luke. He has a great voice, a striking guitar style, inspired by a number of other acoustic/roots players (he even refers to Richard Thompson as an inspiration. A 17 year old who has heard of RT?) Perhaps the most remarkable thing is his own songwriting - his song about children leaving home, told from a parent's point of view is a song he shouldn't be able to write yet. He hasn't lived either side of that experience. He's hanging out with Martyn Joseph and Steve Knightley (Show of Hands), so watch out for this one. This sampler was so good, we made sure we caught his set in the Perf Cafe. His own songs, plus a couple of great mixes of others, a genuinely original cover of Blowing in the Wind and cracking version of I Need a Dollar. Covering all age groups in the audience nicely there. Luke.

The paella van was good, as was their mint lemonade.

The CD tent 'G-Music' hosts small gigs, and always provides some variety. Rodent Emporium were unforgettable, especially their final song I'm a Man. More intriguing was Andy Hunter, who equipped with Macbook, small keyboard and some more kit, provided 30 mins of dance music inspired by his faith. It wasn't really something I had experienced before, and although the genre isn't my home territory, it was fascinating to seem him at work, and also to try and understand how the sound landscape he produced was expressing his spirituality. It would have been interesting to see him at work at his Big Top gig, but I was elsewhere.

A regular feature of Greenbelt (Glastonbury and others) is the Tiny Tea Tent, a wonderful structure with rich colours, lanterns, wood-burning stove, and a constant supply of great music. This year was the first time Debbie and I had ever got a seat inside. We met up with friends who assured us they always got seats, and sure enough going with them we did. Must be a bit like Diagon Alley in Harry Potter - you need to know where to knock. Fantastic warm apple and cinnamon - the perfect drink on a cool evening.

Day was rounded off with a bit of the Idlewild gig on mainstage. Don't know much much the Scottish indie-rockers, but they seemed on good form. They said it was the nicest festival they'd been to, which was encouraging!

Greenbelt 2011 Diary: Saturday

Image via WikipediaIn a rare burst of energy, we all got up, breakfasted and got across to the Big Top for some morning worship with Rend Collective Experiment. Contemporary worship band, but from Northern Ireland and with a more open-minded view of theology and what worship should be. Slightly crazy shindig finish, and a nice update of the lyrics to Be Thou My Vision. (They felt a fresh translation into English was due, and coming from the island of Ireland felt they were entitled to do one!)

Next up in the same venue was a fascinating interview with Billy Bragg about Jail Guitar Doors, an initiative he started to help rehabilitate prisoners through music, and also use music to process issues in their lives. He also brought along Leon Walker, a former inmate who is now making his way as a singer-songwriter. Billy spoke passionately about the importance of resources for rehabilitation, not out of being 'soft' on crime, but ensuring all is done to prevent further crimes being committed, more victims created and more lives ruined. Leon was even more compelling. He spoke very movingly about how music helped him to express himself, work through his issues, and have some hope at the end. It helped him find a positive focus in prison and a contructive outlet when he got out. Now he's playing gigs.

Part of Greenbelt is the wandering around, bumping into people you used to see more often and hanging around in one of the venues with seating and a coffee stall. The Performance Cafe is one such place. Acts are mainly acoustic, the volume is set well and you can sit further back if you want more conversation. It's good just to be there and see what happens while munching a nice cake and having a coffee. Likewise the CD tent and Christian Aid tent also host music.

At 2pm I went along to an event launching a new study guide and to hear a couple of songs by Gareth Davies-Jones. The tent was nicely filled but not packed, yet we were treated to a Brian McLaren interview, a resource launch and half a dozen songs from Gareth. I think this was the best kept secret all weekend. On to the Performance Cafe for 3.15pm where Yvonne Lyon played a set with her husband, David backing her. Her new album More than Mine had been out one day, so I got a copy later. More piano and quite wistful, it showcases Yvonne's voice superbly. Good to hear some older tracks too.

After a quick tea break, it was off to the Big Top to hear a talk by John Bell of the Iona Community. Titled Ubiquitous Gayz, I wondered what we were in for, but I knew he would be challenging and interesting. This was one of the few big talks I attended, but I'm glad I did. We were taken through a journey of how we make decisions, and what determines the issues that we hold important. It was a characteristically different take on a recurring question for Anglicans, coming from a person who isn't involved in Anglican politics. Challenging, humorous, candid and always taking seriously and grappling with the Biblical text. Well worth a download if you only buy one.

After a delicious crepe from a beautifully restored classic Citroen van and a bit of time with a socket in the grandstand to charge my phone, there was time to chat with friends, catch Iain Archer in the Perf Cafe, have a final drink and finally head back to get some sleep.

Greenbelt 2011 diary: Friday

This year's Greenbelt Festival is definitely the best I have been to yet. I'm quite a latecomer to this August arts festival held at Cheltenham Racecourse. Friends went Greenbelting back in the late 70s and early 80s, but I never got round round to tagging along with them, which was a shame as a young U2 played a 25 minute set on borrowed instruments in 1981!  Coming late to the party in 2009, I've been very impressed.

Greenbelt is organised by a Christian trust, but its content isn't confined to input from Christians, and it doesn't limit itself to one particular standpoint. There's lots here to challenge, inspire, amuse and entertain. That's what I like - other Christian gatherings tend to focus on one particular theology or style of worship and therefore attract people from that background. It can end up being an exercise in confirming everyone's prejudices. Greenbelt is different.

Image by fidothe via Flickr
This year's programme had an impressive line-up of music and speakers. I started Friday at a special event for people who support Greenbelt through the year. Iain Archer came along to play a few songs amongst the presentations. I glimpsed the end of Blesséd - a eucharist in the Big Top which was both Anglo Catholic and hi-tech. That left time to grab some food from the many and varied outlets (often organic/Fairtrade etc and much better than most places!) before Milton Jones. Milton did a short routine and then talked a bit about a new book, being a Christian and a comedian and some of the issues around that. The rain discouraged me from going to mainstage for Martyn Joseph, but luckily Jono found Largo Embargo (a ska band from Bath!) doing a small gig somewhere warm and dry. Great musicians, one or two strong language moments, completely contagious rhythms and a great cover version of Message to You Rudy.

After some more music in the Performance Cafe, including Duke Special, we adjourned to the late night Last Orders event. More from Milton, music and comedy from Folk On and more took us well into the early hours. Being later and better equipped for cold nights meant the best night's sleep I remember at Cheltenham.

Related articles

• Christian festivals: A broader church (economist.com)