Noisily Festival 2023 review – Curiouser and curiouser into the forest… (Guest review – Sophie Kenny)

As a huge festival and electronic music lover, Noisily Festival has been on my radar for quite some time. The festival’s reputation has a big reach across the electronic scene, and with the line up for 2023 boasting some huge names and experiences – it was always one to watch. You can only imagine my excitement when I was asked to cover Noisily this year as a guest representing ‘Where’s My Tent?’ for Noisily’s 10th anniversary!

So together with a gang of my lovely friends, our finest sequins and a heart full of adventure we embarked on a journey to Noisily 2023…

---

WHAT IS NOISILY?

Noisily is a four-day festival deeply rooted in the underground electronic music scene, but with an added emphasis on art, wellness, and health. Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Leicestershire, Noisily has historically taken place in Coney Woods, but this year, in an effort to allow the forest to breathe and regenerate, the festival site was relocated to the enchanting Barkestone woods. The festival’s strong emphasis on wellness activities and the vast array of workshop options was a big point of curiosity for me along with the musical line up.

---

ARRIVAL

Noisily is really easy to get to – just over an hour-long train ride from London Kings Cross to the nearest train station Grantham, and only a quick 15-minute taxi ride from there to the site, where friendly and enthusiastic staff greeted us all. We were set up in general camping and found we had more than enough room to set up our tents comfortably and even create a small party area with an event shelter. It was a great opportunity to get to know our camping neighbours too.

---

THE NEW SITE

Compared to previous years, the new site offered a refreshing change. It boasted a largely flat terrain compared to the hilly nature of Coney Woods. Everything was laid out in a really straightforward way with enough channels to give you some fun side-quests to explore on the way.

The creative team’s meticulous attention to detail transformed the new woods into a wonderland of enchantment. Noisily is very known for its superb art direction, and the Production design this year was not forgotten about – each stage had a very distinct design motif. The Parliament of Funk played homage to its funkadelic music choices by adorning the stage and forest with an array of huge glittering disco balls that bounced the light around. Over at the Liquid stage, the geometric shapes and structures gave a nod to iconic psychedelic festivals around the world, seeing influences from iconic Ozora festival in the design, and the visuals pulled all our brains into a trip-tactic hypnotic realm. The main stage build was just as much of a treat as the others, almost a temple like structure.

Throughout the forest, magical tunnels and pathways through the trees led to captivating art installations that seemed to breathe life into every corner. As night fell, the trees were lit in fantastical shapes and colours, smoke highlighting the lasers that pierced the site.

In particular, the fire pit was a firm favourite – every evening it became a cosy sanctuary. The sound of crackling flames intertwined with the hypnotic sounds of drums, group singing and conversations from performers and punters made a real haven amongst the trees. Another particular thoughtful spot was a light up fountain with points to sit and dip your feet —a treat in the scorching heat of Friday.

The layout of the site was particularly excellent on from a sound engineering point of view – there was little to no noise bleed between stages. As a result, each performance became a really standalone space, allowing us all to fully immerse ourselves in the music.

---

ART

Noisily Festival is not only a haven for music enthusiasts but also a paradise for art lovers. The stunning art installations scattered throughout the festival grounds were a visual feast for the eyes. One artist who deserves special mention is Kara Darch, a Noisily staple who creates a live mural as the days go by. As the weekend unfolded, her artwork evolved each day, reflecting the little moments she witnessed at the site. Her ability to capture the essence of the festival in her vibrant piece is absolutely not to miss in future.

The festival also featured a really cute art gallery that my friends and I frequented throughout the weekend. We found ourselves getting lost in the many incredible paintings there, with one of my friends even purchasing an original piece that now proudly occupies a place of honour in his living room!

The forest itself served as a canvas for large-scale installations, from the awe-inspiring fiber optic trees near the main stage to the geometric temple-like structures by Joseph Williams. Joey Dean’s “Enchanted Forest” however took the cake this year – nestled away from the main path, this audiovisual masterpiece, comprising 10,000 LEDs, was controlled by nature itself. The trees created a symphony of peaceful and introspective visuals, providing a serene little space for contemplation away from the rest of the festival.

---

WORKSHOPS & EXPERIENCES

Noisily offered a huge array of captivating workshops – There was so much to do and see it was genuinely hard to pick! Where else could you wake up and embark on a cosmic Potion-Making adventure in the morning, engage in a sacred Hape ceremony at lunchtime, or try and find your soulmate in a Cosmic Connections workshop into the evening? Noisily had thought of everything to keep us entertained.

One workshop that caught my attention was the transformative Biodynamic Breathwork led by Luke McSwiney. The powerful breath work workshop lasted around an hour and a half and involved open mouth breathing to promote a meditative and healing experience. I arrived first not knowing what to expect, but left feeling totally transported and genuinely moved by the experience, not something I’ve found at many other festivals wellness areas to this level.

The sauna was another highlight of the festival and all of us visited it in our gang. As a sauna regular outside of the festival realm I was impressed by what they brought to the site – from the cozy campfires where people gathered, shared stories, and played music to the aufguss rituals and even the kind sauna fairies offering sauna whipping while we waited in line to sweat out the previous nights wares, the entire setup was a testament to Noisily’s commitment to wellness and creating a holistic experience that invigorated us for a day of dancing and revelry in the forest.

---

COMMUNITY

Noisily Festival not only focuses on providing exceptional music and art but also actively engages with the community and promotes social causes. One of the notable initiatives was the presence of Psycare, a welfare and harm reduction charity. Their dedicated team offered invaluable support and guidance, ensuring the well-being and safety of festival-goers throughout the event. Also I saw a lot of pink clad volunteers from the brillliant ‘MyCause’ movement – festival volunteers that raise money for charity through volunteering at events like Noisily.


---

SUSTAINABILITY

Noisily Festival has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability, bringing in various eco-friendly practices to reduce its environmental impact. The “Looking After the Woods” initiative, which involved moving the festival to a new forested area to allow regeneration, shows their mission to preserving nature. Additionally, the cup recycling scheme and the absence of plastic water bottles on-site showcased their efforts to minimise waste and promote reusable alternatives. While there is always room for improvement, Noisily’s proactive approach to sustainability sets a really great example for other festivals to follow.

---

MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS

I was pumped by the variety of music on offer and was excited to discover new artists across the stages. Noisily has five distinct main stages this year across the woods. Although they had had downscaled their initial ambition of further stages this year, the variety was not missing at all. From psytrance, techno, house to downtempo, there was a corner for every preferred flavour (not forgetting the mini rave set up at the pizza shop which was a major drum and bass hit with the crowds every time we walked past!)


I saw many artists over the weekend I’d not come across before and discovered some really talented musicians – showing that noisily’s curation team is really setting the bar high for other festivals. 

One standout artist who captured my attention was Marcelina Wick. Her set at the Parliament of Funk stage was an absolute revelation. Mixing vinyl records with skill and finesse, Marcelina guided the crowd through a mesmerising sonic journey. From uplifting house beats to hard-hitting techno, her unique blending technique, incorporating a lot of siren and drone type tones layered on the music, added an extra layer of depth to her performance. Marcelina set was personally one of the highlights of the weekend, leaving a lasting impression on me and my friends. Caspa Mono at same venue was also a hit, who I’d heard rave reviews from including the organisers of the beautiful little independent festival ‘Antibodies’.

A personal favourite of mine – Oliver Koletzki was playing on the Sunday. Im a huge fan of organic house and his set did not disappoint, with sourced sounds, natural influences and tribal drumming, it set the floor on fire as the sun set and rays of light were illuminated with the dust kicked up by all the dancing.

It goes without saying that Joris Voorns set, as the closing DJ for the festival at main stage, was always going to be standout. I took many moments to look around at people around me through his set – totems waving in the air, bodies moving to the beat, grins spreading to the edge of faces, – this is what we were all here for. The music was complimented by a powerful laser light show that was an absolute visual treat for the retinas, with fractals of light bouncing through the trees, and reflecting off every sequin clad reveller, the crowd became a bouncing sea of sparkle, light and joy. The cutoff for music was 2300, but we all felt like naughty school children past our bedtime as Joris carried on, much to the enjoyment of us all for another half an hour. As we moved to pulsing techno and house hits, the lasers whirred and the final banger sounded, we were treated to a giant confetti cannon bursting – I looked around at my friends as we all tried to hold onto the moment – It was one for the memory bank. 

FESTIVAL ATMOSPHERE

Noisily Festival exudes a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that fosters a genuine sense of community and connection. From the moment I arrived, I felt a warm embrace from fellow festival-goers, who radiated positivity and open-mindedness. The generosity and curiosity displayed by attendees created a safe and playful environment. Whether it was the whimsical grinning bubble-gun-toting nymph at the liquid stage, beautiful revellers handing out little gifts and trinkets just for the sake of being kind or the warm soul clad in fur lending me a hug at just the right moment, the spirit of Noisily resonated through every interaction. It was a testament to the festival’s ability to bring together like-minded individuals and create a space where everyone could be their authentic selves for one special weekend.

---

FINAL THOUGHTS?

I left Noisily longing for more – The organisers’ meticulous attention to detail and commitment to creating a captivating and immersive experience were evident at every turn. The only drawback? there was simply too much to see and do in the limited time and I just wish I had longer. You’d be hard pressed to find the community at Noisily anywhere else on the festival scene – it attracts the most curious, kind, and creative individuals from all walks of life. Throughout the weekend, I made meaningful connections with fellow festival-goers who shared so many of the same passions as me.


Despite me already having very high exceptions – Noisily absolutely exceeded it all, delivering a truly transformative and unforgettable experience for all of us. Noisily is not just a festival to dance; it’s a festival that inspires, fosters soul connections, and allows us to unwind fully. I left feeling deeply connected to myself, my friends, and grounded in the present moment.

Noisily, thank you for the music, the art, and the memories.

I’m already counting down the days until next year’s edition. And a little bird tells me that the early bird tickets are on sale for 2024 already… Are you ready to join us in the woods?

---

HUGE thank you to Sophie and Veronica for reviewing Noisily Festival 2023 for Where’s My Tent? Check out these talented two here:

Review by Sophie Kenny @snkfilms // www.sophiekenny.com

All Photography by Lill-Veronica Skoglund @lvskoglund // https://lillveronicaskoglund.com