The mystery and tradition of the East will meet the best of the West Country this summer when a vibrant line-up of global musicians gather at the Devon gem Dartington Hall for the third HOME festival (June 22-23, 2012).
Following a sell-out inaugural year in 2010, as a one day event, and an even bigger two-day festival last year headlined by U.S star Suzanne Vega, HOME - with its “unplugged” reputation - returns this year with a packed programme celebrating a dazzling range of cultures, languages and sounds, starting with a special curtain raiser on the Friday evening and running all day Saturday.
One of the most beautiful festival sites in the country, Dartington is just two miles from Totnes in South Devon and has been described as “a bit of English magic”, with its magnificent gardens, 14th century medieval hall and courtyard, rolling farmland and ancient deer park.
Into this idyllic setting, Tibet’s exiled Tashi Lhunpo Monks will bring a flavour of their own sacred world from more than 4,000 miles away. Offering a rare opportunity to witness a unique and endangered culture, the performance will transport the HOME audience to Asia in a dramatic presentation of music and dances, punctuated with mantras, bells, cymbals, drums and booming long horns.
Headlining the Friday programme the monks will appear in spectacular ceremonial masks and costumes to create a peace mandala or sand picture which will be blessed and later destroyed in a moving ceremony on Saturday.
In striking contrast, the HOME Festival has announced Devon’s own homegrown “folk legends” Show of Hands as the Saturday headliners. The phenomenally popular Exeter duo have become one of the most successful ever acoustic acts on the British folk roots scene and this year celebrate their incredible 20th year partnership with a Royal Albert Hall appearance at Easter, which is now close to sell-out.
More line up info and ticket info at Dartington Hall
More line up info and ticket info at Dartington Hall
Published on 25 February 2012 by Wayne Feltham
