Nowadays, festivals are slowly weaning away from the die-hard music fans pilgrimage; where thousands kick-back and relax in a muddy field with copious amounts of alcohol beside their tents.
Quite the opposite in fact; British festivals have become a Mecca for those in search of some summer sunshine on the shoulders of their best-mate, in front of a crowd of 100,000 happy-campers (though the above still often applies).
Yet, as the typically British, “straw hat and shades” type festivals have erupted, people now tend to avoid anything that doesn’t require a tent, a bag full of beers and some hand-me-down wellingtons.
However, Humber Street Sesh has not struggled to attract thousands from the surrounding area – and it is without doubt one of the region’s go-to events of the summer.
After the success of previous years, the Street Sesh has amounted extensive hype throughout the city and has been penned into Hull’s diary since August 2014.
With a wide variety of performers ranging from home-grown bands, DJ’s and other cultural acts this festival offers anything and everything to Hull’s adjoining region – and where better to hold it but on the stylish Marina overlooking our River Humber.
Having joined many last year in making the short trip to Hull’s city centre, it was fantastic to see just how many people are willing to actively support the city’s local talent.
Crowds of lively music-heads and ‘day-outers’ alike swarmed round the Fruit Market and its jam-packed cobbles to hear and see just what Hull had to offer; and the acts certainly did not disappoint last time around.
Throughout the day a friendly and almost gratified atmosphere meant the festival flowed seamlessly along with the masses snaking past bars, local-foodies and other establishments selling their neighbourhood produce.
The sense of community was overwhelming as people of all ages congregated just metres away from the River Humber, and it is because of this that so many people have already begun speaking about this year’s affair.
If this year is simply a duplicate of last then it will have been a triumph, there is no doubt about that. However, representative of our ‘City of Culture’ status, I am sure the organisers will want to entirely surpass the level of success that they enjoyed less than a year ago.
Now, as the music scene in Hull relentlessly soldiers on, the acts and bands waiting to play in front of thousands come August will know full-well the standard that they have to live up to.
Last year’s Main Stage purveyed a wide variety of acts, stretching to complete opposite genres. We were met with Indie, Progressive Rock and even Hip-Hop, shortly followed by dance acts and DJ’s; the list was almost never-ending.
Still, the quality of these acts did not waver despite the level of anticipation…
INFORMATION
Tickets (or should I say wristbands) for the event retail at just £5 and can be purchased early from hullboxoffice.co.uk.
With so much on offer, it would seem almost idiotic to ignore this offer, so take my advice and pre-book your wristband. You do not want to miss out.
However, if you feel like chancing it and getting a ticket ‘on the door’ then feel free – but get there early – it’s bound to pack out fast.
These wristbands on the day of the event will be priced at £8, so not too much of an increase in price. Though like I said before, why run the risk of not grabbing a wrist band as well as paying a couple of quid more?
Moreover, as this is a family event first and foremost, under 12’s jump straight in for free.
Food and drinks prices are obviously subject to change from last year as the festival has increased in popularity and size, but overall I thought last year’s pleasantries weren’t too pricey at all.
A pint of beer (majority home brewed in Hull may I add) cost around about £4. Not extortionate by any means, but not your local pub prices. The main issue was queuing, but let’s face it; we all expect to queue at big events.
Likewise, the food side of things is similar again. Prices are reasonable as ever and are locally situated businesses. The wide variety means you can hunt for the best deals, but in all honesty, everything is fairly summed.
So, not to sound like a stuck record… Get yourself down; it really is a fantastically organised event that caters for all types of people.
Not only is the festival a welcome change to the city’s summer itinerary, but the standard of all involved in Humber Street Sesh is first-rate.
This is by no means a ploy to increase the popularity of up and coming acts that simply need some PR – obviously their popularity will go through the rough after an event like this, but for all the right reasons.
If you were one of many who joined in last year then I’m sure you will not need any convincing, but if you are one of the few who did miss out in 2014, then please don’t make the same mistake twice.
Hullture Hub 