Categories: uncategorized
Date: 01 September 2009 20:14:48
Greenbelt is a bit different every year....and to some extent this year was no exception. In many ways, with my brother there it was much more of a family event this year. At somepoint during the weekend one of the speakers described Greenbelt as being like a family Christmas. I so get that...it's something where you join together with familiar people to celebrate and worship, but also somewhere where new people come, experience and really enjoy. It is a special place. Did do some talks, most noteably John Bell, Dave Tomlinson, and Gene Robinson. Each said something interesting and useful. In many ways none were saying anything new, but each said something one needed to be reminded of. Music wise Duke Special were excellent, as ever. My favourite musical experience this year was 100 Philistine Foreskins. This was proper old skool thrash punk, (aka ENT, Exploited type style). The band didn't have enough material to fill their whole slot, the longer songs were the ones which hit 2 minutes in length and there was lots of humour in between songs. Was funny how some of those there didn't get was going on whilst a number of us too old to enjoy the excitement of the pit stood smiling, clearly enjoying getting back to the way punk used to be. Worship wise my highlights were: Feig doing a bit of a pre-Greenbelt gathering on the Thursday night at Gloucester Cathedral, Visions doing their Transdence Ancient Future Mass and Ikon doing their Pyro-Theology session. Bridging poetry and other arts were Billy Childish and then on Monday Greenbelt elder statesmen Stuart Henderson and Martyn Joseph. Best of all though was just enjoying hanging out with friends around the Tiny Tea Tent and the beer tent. Could go into loads of detail.....but sometimes less can enable you to experience more. I'd encourage you to follow the links or go Googling Greenbelt for interesting explanations from other perspectives.