Kaleidoscope (Festival)

To call Kaleidoscope Festival just that, a festival is somewhat overselling what Kaleidoscope actually is. Smaller than most, Kaleidoscope amounts to just a couple of fields and a barn that holds both a stage and a bar; so to those who attended Kaleidoscope it might have feel more like a gathering, a commune of like-minded folk.

Camping by the Scottish coast might only be for the hardcore and crazy but this dedicated band of foolhardy … well, I’ll be honest mainly hippies, braved the elements for the love of music. Which was great. A highlight for me was the band Hidden Orchestra. A group I’d never come across but absolutely killed in front of the small crowd that had gathered early in the days proceedings. Hidden Orchestra combined two drums kits with a violin and a trombone alongside a bass and sampler to create a set that drifts towards a bellowing epic soundscape while remaining utterly danceable. It was a fascinating and unusual set. Fink, who Studentpunch interviewed here, was also excellent and turned out a lovely intimate headlining set. Sticking mainly to his latest album Perfect Darkness, the band kicked off a party that I imagine carried on way into the small hours.

Kaleidoscope feels like work in process, with some wonderful music but little else unfortunately, yet it is a festival that everyone should keep an eye on next year, as there is so much potential. With cheap tickets and a dedicated and friendly following [and a healthy selection of beers and ciders] any real problems you have simply blow away in the fine, yet cold, coastal air.

Daniel Raper