Where the Wild Things Danced!
Photo by Becky Steel
Wild Fields is a brilliant showcase of what a festival can achieve, even in the most challenging of times.
2024 has been a tough year for festivals, with over 50 events across the U.K. being canceled due to financial pressures, logistical challenges, and the unpredictable nature of the live music industry post-pandemic. Amid this uncertainty, Wild Fields faced its own share of doubts. Would it be another name on the growing list of cancellations, or could it rise above the challenges and deliver something extraordinary? Fortunately, the latter proved true, and what a triumph it was.
Photo by Stuart Shirra
Curated by true music lovers for fellow enthusiasts, Wild Fields is a celebration of Neo Soul, Jazz, Hip Hop, and RnB that brings together a diverse crowd. Over the course of two days, Earlham Park was transformed into a haven for music and culture lovers of all ages and backgrounds. The atmosphere was electric, one of happiness and feeling welcome in a shared understanding of music and Duration beer. Under the warmth of the August sun, it was a vibrant celebration of both international music and local Norfolk culture.
At the heart of this success is Ben Street, the former drummer of Coasts and an experienced events planner. Ben has long been a key figure in Norwich's music scene, having launched the multi-venue Wild Paths festival in 2018. His transition to a self-contained festival has been eagerly anticipated, despite the setbacks brought on by COVID-19. With Wild Fields, Ben took a significant risk, but his dedication and vision paid off. The festival ran smoothly, proving that with the right mix of passion, planning, and perseverance, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome.
Photo by Becky Steel
Stand out performances on the Friday have to include Yazmin Lacey, Sampa The Great, Nubya Garcia and Ezra Collective. Favourite moment has to be Sampa jumping up to perform ‘Life Goes On’ with Ezra Collective, which was expected, right? No? It banged regardless.
Saturday performances have to go to Jeshi bringing the energy to the picnic! Priya Ragu stirring everyone up and Kae Tempest bringing tears to eyes and rattling ribcages with that bass, before SBTRKT brought Wild Fields to a close the only way SBTRKT knows how.
In the end, Wild Fields wasn't just a festival—it was a statement of resilience, a testament to the power of music and community, and a much-needed reminder of why we gather to celebrate together. Here's to many more years of Wild Fields, a festival that has firmly established itself as a must-attend event for music lovers everywhere.
Photo by Ga Chun Yau
Photo by Ga Chun Yau
Photo by Jason MacDonald
