Bloom started at the Larmer Tree Gardens last year but has now moved onto a National Trust Site, Dyrham Park in Gloucestershire. Bigger and better of course but the idea is to keep it true to its fun roots. A great line-up of bands and DJs helps, but they’ve also sorted out arts and crafts, a Kids Zone, a Healing Area and a wide range of food and drink vendors.

With a line up promising the very best of who’s who in a wide genre of musical talents and visuals, confirmed live acts so far include the ever excellent Coldcut, Dub Pistols, Crazy P, The Earlies, Mr Hudson and The Library, Long Range (Phil Hartnoll), (nearly) local lad Ben Westbeech, Bellerruche, Joe Driscoll, label mates of Fat Freddy’s Drop on Kartel, Border Crossing (whose album is coming out in September, Freedom Of Speech and many more.

Those that saw Lily Allen at Glastonbury last week in the mud couldn’t help but be impressed by the appearance of ex-Specials Lynval Golding and Terry Hall. Well, in case you’ve not noticed, Terry is a regular guest with the Dub Pistols. Not sure about the rework of ‘Rapture’ on the album they released earlier this year, Speakers And Tweeters but it shouldn’t be overlooked as Terry (with Rodney P) does a version of The Stranglers’ ‘Peaches’ and the cover of ‘Gangsters’ that sounds as good as it ever did. The Dub Pistols have also just released their own rap-disco track ‘Open’ that I’m quite keen on with multiple remix versions, including Trevor Loveys, Dan Le Sac, Kooba and many more.

On the DJ front, Inner Visions/ Sonar Kollektiv’s Âme (of ‘Rej’ fame), Bugz In The Attic, Dr. Rubberfunk, The Nextmen, Radio Slave, Stuart Patterson, Tom Middleton, Unabombers, local DJ Derek (who had the compilation Sweet Memory Sounds out on Trojan last year that we should have covered as he was great at Bestival), Evil 9 (who had the compilation FabricLive. 28 out last year that we should have covered as it was great) and many more including a former half of Radio Slave, Serge Santiago.

Now I owned up to having a soft spot for Roxy Music some weeks ago and think I just about got away with it. There were a couple remixes of ‘Angel Eyes’ on Remix#1, but there’s a new one doing the rounds by Santiago’s, which is 15 minutes long! If that doesn’t get the crowd joining in on the ohhhhh, ohhhhhoohhhs, nothing will. More percussive than the other monster at the moment (Ashley Beedle’s Earth Mix of ‘The Sea And The Sky’) but those harps puts it in there or there abouts. Two truly monstrous tracks that scream ‘FESTIVAL’.

I’d love to hear them in the open air but there are other attractions to keep you busy like live audio-visual acts, leftfield silliness and comedy from Frank Sidebottom, open mic sessions, mazes, farm animals made from recycled materials, massive inflatable seats, paint by numbers, Ferris wheel, carousel, circus workshops, inflatable church, short films, fire shows, make your own rocket with a rocket launch party and everyone’s favourites, a Saturday fancy dress day.

Increasing the competition for the Big Chill and Bestival, more the merrier I say. Bloomin’ lovely.

Links:
www.bloomfestival.com
www.myspace.com/bloomfestivaluk
Where: Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire, SN14 8ER The site is located just off junction 18 of the M4 (15 minutes outside Bristol, near Bath)
When: 10th, 11th and 12th August 2007.
How: Tickets available at www.bloomfestival.com & selected record/ticket outlets
Adult (18yrs +): £85.00 + £2.50 Booking Fee
Kids (5-17yr): £30.00 + £2.50 Booking Fee
Under 5 Years: Free
Camper Van/Caravan Pass: £25.00 + £2.50 Booking Fee
www.myspace.com/thedubpistols
www.sundaybest.net
www.myspace.com/evilnine
www.myspace.com/benwestbeech
www.innercityvisions.com