Our Handmade: Festival Assistant Cerys Vaughan
Hey Cerys - What have you been doing for Handmade this year?
This year I have been helping John (Helps - Festival Director) out with press releases and emails, getting together press and guest lists. On the weekend, I will be on artist lisasion, getting all the lovely artists in, fed, watered and generally 100% tip top ready for their amazing performances.
Why do you think the Festival is special?
The music and art scene in Leicester is a great little bubble of some of the most interested and talented people you’ll meet in this city, and (as with Leicester in general) everyone knows everyone so it’s always a great event to get everyone together and have a big party all weekend. People, like myself, travel back home for the weekend from all over the UK for this festival so it’s almost like Christmas (maybe better, as you don’t have to spend atrocious amounts of money). As for newcomers to the festival, you’re bound to watch at least one band that you’ve never seen before and fall in love. You always come away from the weekend with a new favourite band.
What are your favourite memories from previous years?
Last year I stage managed an awesome stage all weekend and come Sunday night I was absolutely destroyed, I managed to catch the end of Dry The Rivers set and walking into a packed-out firebug with everyone in such a brilliant mood from an amazing weekend was such a lovely feeling, I almost got a little emotional (I was super tired though, they were almost-tears of exhaustion, I swear). Another great memory was from the Saturday, first band on were Feedback Voice, a great young band from Leicestershire, they put out free EP’s on the desk at the back and the second they stopped playing, everyone rushed to the back to grab them. Its just an example of how this festival picks such fantastic acts and how each person comes away with a new favourite band.
And finally, who are you looking forward to seeing this year?
I’ve really gotten into Eagulls the last few months, they sound great on record and from what I can imagine, they’re going to put on an amazing live show.
Tellison are one of my favourite live bands, they are one of the happiest and most upbeat live bands I’ve seen. They’re just as fantastic live as on record so you’re never disappointed with their performances.
My third act that I’m most excited about is Buenos Aires, I wasn’t around when they were together the first time and have always heard the best things about them, it’ll be a one-off show as well, so it’s definitely not a one to miss.
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