The annual Stowaway festival returned last weekend, treating families and music lovers to exclusive acts.
With a full line-up including Groove Armada, Greentea Peng and Max Cooper, there was a variety of entertainment for all ages, including comedy sets.
Max Cooper, performed as one of only two festival appearances this year. He closed the show on Sunday with an audio-visual performance that lit up the night.
The festival blended into its natural surroundings of Blackpit Brewery on the outskirts of Stowe. With lake-swimming, karaoke in the woods and a roller-skating rink.
This appeals to children, but there are no age limits to activities on offer. With festival rides and a huge disco ball in the woods, organisers said it was designed to reignite a sense of childlike wonder at any age.
And while festival attendances are on the decline, and following on from the cancellation of Penn Fest, Stowaway managed to increase their numbers for this third annual instalment.
Reaction was positive from first-time attendees and experienced visitors. “This is my third time here now, and every time I think it gets better and better. As fir the line-up this year I hadn’t even heard of anyone, but still knew I would miss out if I didn’t come and it was so worth it,” said Molly, whilst in queue for the swings.
After rebranding only two years ago from the Festival of Beer, it markets itself for “true ravers”. It also accommodates families by offering them the chance to camp for the three nights.
Founder, Duncan Wheeler, said the event was a success, explaining: “I’m really proud that we’re managing to grow Stowaway year-on-year despite how challenging the festival sector is at the moment.”
