Good Vibrations Society is creating a unique, balanced experience combining fantastic music with well-being and environmental exploration, writes Joe Bill

Photo by Raphael Moran @officialRaphaelmoran

Wake up with wild swimming, experience nature and end the night listening to godfather of funk and soul Roy Ayres as Good Vibrations Society (@goodvibrationssociety) returns to Ashdown Forest this summer.

With its chilled vibes and focus on balance, the boutique festival started last year as a celebration of community, following the isolation of lockdown.

Set among the trees, the festival was founded in 2021 by Forest Row local Johnny Scratchley (Outlook Festival, Dimensions Festival) and features a carefully-curated musical line-up with opportunities to explore well-being and learn about this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“I’ve been running festivals for the last 14 years and I know how powerful a whole weekend immersed within a particular environment can be,” says Johnny. “So I was really keen to bring a balance to everything. There’s music, which can be nourishing and expansive, but it can also be like a cathartic release, fuelled by dancing. But during the weekend, we’ve then bought other things that can be done to help people find balance.”

At the heart of the site is the Shala (which means ‘home’ in Sanskrit), which will host free yoga (curated by Yard Yoga), meditation and dance classes, as well as drumming workshops.

“And then we’ve got talks that cover ecology and the local environment, working with charities and organisations that have taken up the task of nurturing and looking at sustainability of our surrounding environment,” he says. “There will be daily and nightly guided walks on offer across the forest, including options for foraging.”

On-site there will be a wild-swimming lake to refresh the mind and body, with lifeguards throughout the morning and afternoon each day.

“The site is totally stunning,” says Johnny, who doubles as the lead singer in electronic/reggae crossover group Gentleman’s Dub Club. “I actually first went there when I was 16 because I grew up in Forest Row. But I moved back here when the lockdown happened. It’s a really special place for me because of the memories, the expanse of it and the freedom.”

Set in a privately-owned area of the forest, the music element of the festival will be split across three venues.

The main Bloom stage will host live music and DJs during the day, with a selection of incredible musicians performing, from founders and forefathers to new-school boundary breakers. Most famous for his global hit Everybody Loves the Sunshine, Roy Ayers leads the way with 90s acid-jazz pioneers The Brand New Heavies (Dream on Dreamer) and BBC’s Sound of 2022 talent and Brit Award-nominated Lola Young.

The eight-piece dub/reggae/ska crew of Gentleman’s Dub Club will play live, as will RnB/Garage star Shola Ama (You Might Need Somebody) and DnB junglist Roni Size alongside Dynamite MC.

A new after-party venue among the trees will be taking over after the main stage closes each evening, with Jungle legend Benny Page headlining the space alongside Rafiki, EMG Sounds, Cuppa T, Aura, deepcutt and 24 Karet.

Alternatively, guests can head to the Shala from 6pm each day for acoustic, world, devotional and blissed-out electronic beats from the likes of Taz Rashid, Nessie Gomes and Carrie Tree.

“The line-up has heavy jazz, soul, funk, acid jazz and then Afrobeat. But it then also explores elements of yoga music, with sort of devotional music and acoustic music,” says Johnny. “I’d say it’s been very natural programming. During the day, to be able to have something that is relaxed, acoustically and harmonically interesting that people could sit down and listen to.

“But then what naturally comes in the evening, when the sun goes down, it’s that

extra energy, that extra umph.”

The community hub space will be home to both mental health and ecology charities offering workshops, while the free tea and chilled environment will be a picturesque safe haven within the trees.

Weekend camping and glamping is available and Johnny is very keen to make sure that everyone is aware that Good Vibrations Society is a safe, welcoming space for families, with family-friendly camping areas. Kids will be able to join The Hive, an evolving playscape to learn bush skills, go on nature walks and enjoy a range of other activities.

There will be two main food and drink hubs, including the on-site ‘village pub’ The Dragonfly Inn, which will be run by Forest Row’s Hop Yard Brewing Co. A seated vegetarian restaurant packed full of fresh and hearty food and drink will be run by local healthy food creators The Seasons Kitchen.

There will also be a wide selection of shops, concessions and pop-up food stalls on the site to cater for all tastes and tummies.
DETAILS:

5th-7th August 2022

Pippingford Park, Ashdown Forest, East Sussex

INFO: https://bit.ly/3ljJTgM

Adult weekend tickets - £125-£140

Family tickets available

Free entry for under-fives