The husband came across Looe Music Festival a couple of years ago and we went for the first time last year.
We loved it so much that we said we would 100% definitely go again. And so we did.
As is usual with me I was watching the weather forecast on an hourly basis; hoping for sunshine but not counting on it. But we woke up to clear blue skies, packed the car, and off we went!
Looe is such a pretty place. I hadn’t been to Cornwall prior to our first visit last year, and was immediately struck by it’s beauty. A pretty harbour town, it’s split into East and West Looe by the River Looe – the two sides connected by a town bridge. It’s a myriad of small streets and fishing boats, leading down to a wide clean beach.
It has a lot of history – check out the plaque on the Smugglers Cott pub! Built in 1430!
During the music festival the whole place comes alive, with multiple stages around the town and bands playing in pubs, restaurants and out on the street.
It’s an absolute bargain at around £80 for a 3 day ticket, and there really is something for everyone. This year’s headliners were The Proclaimers, Jules Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, and Johnny Marr.
We stayed in a Parkdean caravan about a mile away from the centre which was comfy, cosy and in a great location.
The organisation is second to none. Well laid out with plenty of well priced bars, lots of clean toilet facilities and friendly helpful stewards, as well as lots of different streetfood stalls. Shuttle buses run every 10 minutes or so at peak times, stopping off at all the main holiday parks and campsites and dropping people off in the middle of Looe for just a pound each way.
The main stage is on the beach.
The whole area is so pretty…
…and sparkles with lights as dusk approaches.
We ate noodles, paella, and Cornish pasties from various street food vendors.
Lamb, mint and potato pie with mash and gravy from Grumpies of Cornwall deserves a special mention. I could have eaten everything on their menu!
Ate cake and drank wine at the harbourside after dark.
And ordered handmade cocktails from the Beetle Juice van!
The stage and beach light up for the headliners.
Personal highlights included The Dodge Brothers – an Americana skiffle band. Mark Kermode – of film critic fame – plays the double bass; my favourite instrument in the world.
Wille and the Bandits played the BBC Introducing stage. We’ve found out they’re playing at a venue near us in a couple of weeks, which is great news!
And an afternoon in the Bullers Arms pub watching Steve Flanders play a great set which had the whole pub singing along.
The weather was fantastic all weekend – I had my legs out enjoying the last of the summer sun! (obligatory festival hats were worn too)
I don’t like to be a creature of habit, because I want to see and do as many things in life as possible, but I already know there’s a very good chance we’ll be back for the third time in a row next year. That’s how special it is.
**Some photo credits to the husband on this post, including the ones with me in them, obvs!
