The provocative for this Pete The Monkey festival is not only to have a cheeky monkey, fun loving time with music, arts, activities all surrounded in day dream scenery, but also to raise money (a target of £20,000) to fund an wild animal refuge and rehabilitation centre, Jacj Cuisi. The money raised will be put towards rescuing capuchin monkeys from captivity and eventually releasing them back into their natural habitat. With a limit of 800 tickets and each ticket being a donation, it’s worth even pound (or Euro).
From 11-13th July, Pete the Monkey was a right royal treat. Now in it’s third year of festivities, it catered for all ages with activities, games, dancing, and acts from all over Europe. Based in the quaint seaside village of Saint-Aubin-Sur-Mer in Normandy, with a 711km distance from the UK, it felt surreal, harmonious in it’s surroundings, and supplied ‘free banana’s to eat all over the place..
There were three places to go for a music scene, the first a nice outdoor area surrounded with trees and old wooden apple carts as seating for acoustics. The second option was main stage with a lot of coverage to prepare for the typical festival rain, and when the evening kicked in, a dance cabin was set to stun with DJ sets that played until the sun (or rather grey skies) started to rise. If that wasn’t enough, there was even a television sorted for an outdoor viewing for the World Cup final!
Source: Skye PortmanTo start Saturday evening shenanigans off, four-piece Brighton bred Lovepark walked on stage with such nonchalance and ability to fixate the crowd, in a moment that couldn’t compare to any other over the weekend. To be more of a chilled out band was perfect for the setting Pete The Monkey surrounded itself in. Lead, Kamran Khan had the tent wrapped in awe, with song’s ‘21/12’ and ‘Jester’ giving this band a leverage of standing out from the crowd and a band that was spoken about with British and French lips.
Source: Skye PortmanFrancobollo glorified the stage last year and presented brand new material this year. Needless to say the vibes from this Swedish/Wimbledon combination aided the sunshine with songs ‘Hot Cars’ and ‘I Hope Not’ (the latter from the early days of the band). The energy from lead, Simon Nilsson was undoubtably electric, and with the not so recent addition of ‘Dr Sound’ aka Wiya Hellborg, gives Francobollo a platform that no other band would be able to stand on.
Source: Skye PortmanThe prime performance came from Strong Asian Mothers, who emerged unexpectedly from the back of the festival and marched to the stage with trombones, trumpets, a conga line and a possy of animal onesie’s; it was a sight that you wouldn’t forget! Amazing, jaw dropping goodness, their passion for their performance was magnetising and I feel sorry for the people who did not take time out on their Sunday to see these guys in action. With tunes that included a Jurassic Park cut ‘They do move in herds’ , Amer Patel and Kalim Patel being the forefront of the stage, the band busted out moves and tunes to an outstanding set that ended with blue flairs going around the front of the stage.
Source: Skye PortmanOther highlights include Blue Hawaii, as a finishing act on main stage; the blue lights beaming on this two-piece left the crowd pumped and pleading for more. Plus L.A Salami being joined by Francobollo for a bluesy number that left such a fresh taste, it seems a new chapter in Salami’s career has adapted in such a raw and bold move.
Pete the Monkey has a vibe that a number of major UK festival cannot achieve. Even with these festivals endorsing worldwide acts that bring the majority together, this festival is something pretty special. It’s zestful and relaxed with no nonsense, free banana’s, vitality of all walks of life, the best pizza you’ll ever have at a weekend event and home grown talent from all parts of Europe… it’s just a lot of love! A free spirited passion that not only gives people an appetite for new music, but an interest in a cause that will help monkey’s for an exceptional time to come.
See you next year Pete the Monkey, you were a feast and a half plus more!
Check out more photos on the next few pages
