That lovely time of year when the beautiful Harlequin Fayre comes around again. Shrouded in mystery and in a secret location this little festival is incredibly special and with a unique vibe where like-minded souls gather and enjoy the music, the crafts and everything else on offer. It is family friendly with kids able to run around freely and safely and is 80% powered by solar energy. A great place to meet up with friends and also to meet new acquaintances.

The Horo Quartet

Emily Winng

The line up this year was special too and between the two stages there were many, many highlights. Off the top of my head I think worthy of mention are the incredible Destroyers who headlined on the Friday with a set strong on infectious melody and were a visual delight … 13 of them on stage too! I also enjoyed tremendously Dr Clyde, The Horo Quartet, Girl in a Thunderbolt, Crumbs for Comfort, Feral Mouth, Dumbfoundus, Mammal Hands, Birds of Hell, Miniature Universe, Mari Joyce, Discharge Lounge, Woodland Creatures, Moxys … the list goes on and on and it becomes too difficult to mention all the great acts.

The forecast for the weather before the festival was horrendous but the reality was not too bad. The 10am ten hour downpours for Friday thankfully did not materialise and it stayed dry until about 1:30am and my main soaking was just from walking from the main site to my tent, and despite some ominous clouds and a few brief showers it didn’t rain much until again during the night on Saturday. Because this festival is more about the vibe than numbers it was not overcrowded and therefore there was no mudbath.

Solana

The Tall Poppies

Das Fenster and the Alibis

Harlequin is becoming something of a highlight on my calendar, I’m not sure where it shall take place next year and that is part of its beauty but I hope to be there.

The Woodland Creatures

Crumbs for Comfort

Feral Mouth

Girl In A Thunderboly

Solana

Many thanks to Sam Morgan, Jerry Tye, and the Harlequin crew, performers, and everyone who helped create and was part of that special atmosphere

words and photos, richard shashamane 2014

@RShashamane

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