Medicine Festival

Absolutely is looking forward to an antidote to the rock ‘n’ roll hedonism of festival season

Returning to the stunning natural landscape of the Wasing Estate near Reading for its fourth year from 17-21 August 2023, Medicine Festival – an alcohol and drug-free event –o ers a remedial alternative to the archetypal rock ‘n’ roll hedonism that permeates the UK festival season.

Remi Olajoyegbe, co-founder of Medicine Festival, says: “With indigenous elders once again headlining our event, this year’s festival will be a Mecca for wellbeing, ceremony, world music, dance, sacred activism, nature connection, multicultural arts and a joyful celebration of diversity.”

Expanding in response to popular demand for 2023, Medicine will increase its numbers on site from 3,500 to 5,000 this year. Reflecting this expansion, new areas will include Soil & Soul: a space for learning permaculture and land-based skills; The Nest: a hidden woodland venue hosting crosscultural folk music; Ubuntu: showcasing changemakers and undiscovered talent from the African Diaspora; and Sacred Sound Temple: holding voice/sound workshops and medicine music performances.

A C.I.C and not-for-profit organisation holding the principle of reciprocity at its core, Medicine’s founding principle is that all profits each year go towards empowering indigenous peoples to preserve and protect their land, traditions and wisdom. Finally making a profit for the first time in 2022, Medicine has so far donated over £33k to selected charities like Survival International and Amazon Watch, and a variety of exciting projects across the globe, including a cultural restoration initiative for the Yawanawa tribe in Brazil and a programme providing education for Tibetan monks. “Four years in the making, we are delighted that the prayer of Medicine has finally become a reality,” says Zak Avery, co-director of Medicine Festival. medicinefestival.com

The eclectic mix of music at this year’s event will encompass world music, folk, electronic dance and sacred songs from di erent global traditions. Talks with leading thought leaders, changemakers and environmentalists include feminist author and social critic Minna Salami, ‘Natural Lifestylist’ Tony Riddle, and celebrated US countercultural philosopher, Charles Eisenstein (via Livestream).

The Family Area will o er fun games, creative activities, storytelling and workshops in music making, bushcraft, foraging and sharing skills – and inspiration for creating a healthier and more sustainable future.