Jack up the Summer

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W W here do horsey girls go for a sneaky freestyle weekend away from their equine chums ... to Jack up the Summer Retro 80’s and 90’s festival, held on the Isle of Wight every August. The exception, obviously being 2020, when every event across the globe was cancelled due to the pandemic, so the happy huge fun with a capital ‘F’ atmosphere at this award-winning family friendly festival was just the tonic everyone needed. No horses allowed, and posh wellies are only obligatory if it gets muddy. I’ll let you into a little secret; Sandra Power, my partner in dressage crime is also my partner in festival photographic crime, where instead of getting the perfect centre line we try to get the perfect artist pic, and we have great fun doing it. Sandra and I are part of the same online Dressage team, (Foxy Fillies) which we started just before the first lockdown; a better focus during those strange days, we couldn’t have wished for.

Over the years Sandra and I have been lucky enough to photograph and meet so many wonderful bands; horses feature in conversation regularly. I recall a night after Bad Manners came off stage, poor Buster Bloodvessel was subjected to endless photos of my horse Durante over a beer... and in turn, told me stories of horses he had come across abroad, including a run away Iberian horse in Spain that nearly ran him over! A member of East 17 runs a livery yard and told us some hilarious tales - as always, horses crop up in the most unlikely places! It seems that nobody is immune from the equine bug. This festival which takes a welcome step back into the 80’s and 90’s has gathered a remarkably loyal following from far and wide. In the eight years I have been photographing for them, the event has gone from strength to strength. Tickets are extremely sought after, and usually sell out very quickly after they are released; this year was no exception. My little sister, Kate Butler, travelled down from Gloucestershire, together with more horse riding friends all looking forward to a music filled, relaxing weekend with no mucking out involved.

The line up this year included the amazing From the Jam, who are always just fabulous to photograph, Aswad, Doctor and the Medics, Heaven 17, Baby D, Phats and Heather Small and the wonderful Abba Chique just to name a few. It made for a music packed heavenly three days. What an incredible explosion of joy, laughter and happiness after the subdued isolated climate we have all just lived through. Organisers, Sarah Moss and DJ Alex Dyke, worked tirelessly to get this event put on safely. This is no mean feat in a world where the event and live music industry has been one of the hardest hit over the past eighteen months. All the work was well worth the effort as I looked over the sea of two and a half thousand smiling happy, negative tested, faces from the stage. Riding hats off to them.

The live music world is waking up again, together with all other events and I was very proud to be a part of it this summer at this amazing festival. Jack up Events run many music events during the year as well as an exclusive ‘Jack up the Summer’ party which will take place on the Isle of Wight on the 13th and 14th of August. And for the ultimate Rock and Roll glamping experience you can stay in one of their iconic Airstream caravans at Retro Staycations at Hazelgrove Farm, just a stones throw from Ryde. Getting there is just a ferry ride away. Like their Facebook page for updates on events and for a feel-good radio show on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights packed full of great music and interviews check out Alex Dyke’s radio show on BBC Radio Solent 10pm till 1am. I guarantee it will make you smile. www.jackupevents.co.uk www.facebook.com/JackUpEvents/ www.retrostaycations.co.uk www.facebook.com/iowcaricatures by Adam at Adamart for individual Caricatures of you and your horse perfect for Birthday or anytime presents