RT: Upton Jazz 2012 (From Halesowen News)

RT: Upton Jazz 2012

11:15pm Thursday 12th July 2012 in Blogs 2013 By Rational Teenager

It really has been a while since RT has shared with The Kidderminster Shuttle's blogging page. Hmm, sharing? Am I really sharing though? To be honest I would more go for 'departing great wonders and wisdom of teenage life'. Well, what ever you would like to call 'it' RT hasn't for a while and therefore has much to talk about!

At first, after taking one look at the campsite of the Upton Jazz Festival, RT was slightly apprehensive. After having been to festivals for many years RT was expecting the usual characters to be roaming around the carpark and unpacking their cars. The standard 'two crates of beer and a roll-mat' man was always a given at a festival and that family who's children were named Rainbow, Harmony and Peace were also a common sight. Most people had a beer in their hand and/or had obviously already had one. RT was ready to meet new young people, have a great time listening to great music and spend some well earned chill time.

However, the sight which greeted RT was not that of beer crates, free love and young people, it was mainly that of cagoules and walking boots. Cagoules and walking boots worn by people much older than RT (by about 40 years) and not a young person in sight. Older sister stared open-mouthed out of the window and Mum tried to look optimistic at the sea of pensioners. What had RT signed up for?!

We were there because of three things: 1. RT is a big fan of jazz music.

2. Older Sister's Boyfriend was playing.

3. Even Younger Sister was playing.

The latter two reasons were why RT could not run for the hills on this occasion. We set up the tent in the pouring rain and finally sat inside the muddy green mess which was going to be our home for the next few days, with cups of hot chocolate. The rain was so loud we couldn't hear the jazz and there was a huge spider in RT's bed.

I could have cried.

But, RT is never one to sit around moping and complaining. Off to the festival site we went, umbrellas in hand and wellies ready. Actually down there there was enough straw there to make you think you're going strawberry picking and the chairs had sunk to half their original height in the mud.

Besides the extreme lack of young people RT did actually have an enjoyable weekend, favourite band being one called 'Second Line' and would definitely recommend it. RT is living proof that what ever you're used to and however festival savvy you are (or aren't!) you can have a good time. For example how many teenagers on that weekend got to see Chris Barber performing his set? Not many. Maybe for Wakestock, The Big Chill and Glastonbury it's more of a trendy scene but Jazz is different. And it's cool... even in the rain and mud. It's part of the experience and has to be appreciated.

Surprisingly, Upton Jazz 2012 gets a massive tick in the box and RT would definitely recommend it.

Did anyone else take a trip to Upton that same weekend? If so what did you think?

@Rational_Teen

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