Why choose this small, cosy, intimate, friendly, eclectic, bizarre festival out of all the others on offer in the UK?
Well, other than the reasons listed above, it’s the all-important winning line up of bands that bring me back to Standon Calling year after year.

But that’s not all. The cleanest toilets anyone will ever see at a festival, the only festival with a swimming pool (ah! to take a welcome dip on a hot Saturday afternoon while listening to Stealing Sheep…. just heaven!), parking so close you can practically step out of your car onto the festival site, real ale bar, exclusive kids-only area for the plethora of young families in attendance; Standon seems to make sure everyone is catered for.

But back to the music. If you’re a fan of the Amorphous Androgynous’ series of compilations A Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble Exploding In Your Mind, then this festival is definitely for you.. From the inspired (Penguin Café, Africa Express Sound System, Errors) to the sublime (Battles, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Revere) to the ridiculous (Chrome Hoof – believe me, these guys are ridiculous in the best possible way), Standon is a voyage of musical discovery.

I go to Standon religiously because I know I’m going to see an eclectic line-up of bands who are just that bit different from the norm.
With Michael Eavis sounding the death knell for UK festivals, I can’t help thinking it’s because most of them are booking similar acts and it’s all getting a bit samey.
Not so Standon – whoever it is booking the line up seems to get it bang on every year.

Inspirational offerings this year include the manic Sonic Youth meets Deerhoof oddness of Chapter 24, the shouty-but-melodious insanity of Dananananaykroyd, the always brilliant, always bizarre musings of Beans On Toast; Zun Zun Egui, who are so many years before their time it beggars belief, Azari & III, The Mummers, the list goes on and on! Oh, and I have to mentions the banging, BANGING set from Filthy Dukes on the new and very popular Horsebox stage!

But don’t take it from me – ask Big Jeff ! The legendary festival punter seems to be a barometer of good taste! Follow him and his seemingly boundless enthusiasm and you’re bound to experience some great music. Standon Calling is his favourite festival apparently – praise indeed.
Hats off to the team for making it all happen again this year – I’m already looking forward to 2012!

Simon Baker

WOAH!! This is the stuff. A nod to Bleach-era Nirvana, Arrows Of Love don't outstay their welcome with this quick-fire burst of frenzied punk.
Originally intended as the ‘B’ to a more “radio –friendly” ‘A’-side, since ditched...‘Real Friends’ encapsulates where Arrows Of Love are at this moment in time - full of surprises, and itching to challenge the formulaic, ‘acceptable’ face of music.
Coming in at just 120 seconds ‘Real Friends’ is a wild projectile howl, yet ultimately utterly sane, frenzy of a song. The original acoustic recording of ‘Ships’, as the new B-side is perhaps an antidote.
The band is currently recording with up-and-coming London producer Rory Brattwell (S.C.U.M., Male Bonding, Kasms, Marina & The Diamonds), and has teamed up with mastering guru Bob Weston of Shellac, to further push the riotous intensity of their alternative sound.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!

Cheshire 3 piece power pop band produced by Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, Pixies etc) Bassist Sam Bell played George Harrison in the recent John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy, trivia fans.
This rocks big time – raw vocals, big chorus somewhere between The Jam and The Buzzcocks, but without sounding derivative in any way. It’s a corker and I’m excited to hear more.

RTP (or Royal Treatment Plant to their closest fans) are a female-fronted alt-pop act incorporating some choice hooks, gorgeous melodies and a smattering of electronica to keep it all fresh.
With some chunky radio support for this and the album, RTP will no doubt be all over our festivals this summer.
The single includes four mixes including a banging dub-step take from Dan Donovan.

Debut single from The British Public recorded at Half Ton studios in Cambridge. Left-field pop with a laid-back groove and “na na na na “ Kaiser-Chiefs style chorus. The song had an infectious hook that really lifts after the middle-eight. Loving the stark drum sound too, reminiscent of Blur’s Song 2, although don’t be fooled by either comparison – this is slacker rock more like Beck than anything Britpop.
Breasts repeats the refrain “…getting bigger” all the way through, and is a similarly infectious little pop ditty with a wink and a twisted smile.
Out on November 15th on Tip Top
SB