Ey Up Mi Duck – 9th – 11th May 2025

There’s something special about rolling into a field with your gear, a bit of last year’s mud on your boots, safe in the knowledge that you’re about to be part of something truly intimate. That’s what Ey Up Mi Duck is to me, it’s not just a festival, it’s a family gathering masquerading as one.

As a performer, I’ve played my share of different stages, hectic city venues to fields packed (and some not so packed) but there’s a different kind of magic in these smaller grassroots festivals, you feel part of the fabric that makes them what they are.  Ey Up Mi Duck, tucked away with its sub 1000 person capacity, captures that essence better than any I’ve experienced.

The moment you arrive, you’re greeted like an old friend. Dancing security guards, volunteers dressed as traffic cones and smiles, the smiles are everywhere. Whether it’s your first time or your ninth, it doesn’t take long before you’re swapping stories with you “festy” mates or sharing brews with people you’ve only just met. The energy is warm, open, and unmistakable. Ey up is full of cheeky charm and is a genuine welcome.

At the heart of it all are Amber and Neil Sanderson who took over from the beautiful Suzy Seabridge a few years ago. If Ey Up Mi Duck feels like a family, it’s because that’s exactly how it’s always been run. Suzy and Brian set the direction and since the change in ownership and the inevitable growth, Amber and Neil have kept this front and centre. Their love for music, people, and creating a space that feels like home bleeds into every part of the festival. From the first friendly “Ey Up” to the last note played, we’re all in good hands. They don’t just curate a festival — they nurture a community.

As a performer, being asked to play here is more than just a booking, It’s an honour. You feel it in the way you’re treated — with smiles, kindness, excitement, and that sense of “we’re all in this together” There’s no barrier between artist and audience; we’re all part of the same weird and wonderful tribe. I like that, It’s something lost at bigger festivals.

The open mic stage, run by Pete Drake and Sam Tucker was a highlight all of its own. Their style is wild, and completely joyful. It’s a space where spontaneity reigns, where talent can shine and if it goes wrong everyone cheers anyway. That spirit, that willingness to let things be messy and real, is part of why Ey Up Mi Duck gives me the “feels” like it does.

And then there’s the pallet stage. An actual single pallet. Not so much a stage as a suggestion of one and what it lacked in size, it made up for in heart and insane cuteness. Watching someone pour their soul into a set while balanced on that tiny wooden square feels somehow more rock and roll than any Foo Fighters stadium show I’ve seen (This isn’t difficult as I’ve seen exactly 1).

Behind the scenes, legends like Ady and Ollie make sure the sound was spot-on. It’s no small feat getting things to run smoothly in the middle of a field, but they do it with skill, banter, and I’m certain, a few well-timed tech miracles. Also, a MASSIVE shout out to Aubrey, for compering with charm, wit, and the rare ability to make every performer feel like the most important act of the day. We had some great chats between sets — the kind that remind you how music connects us all off-stage too.

The merch table had its own cast of characters, not least of which were the festy dogs. It might’ve been the best smiling canine turnout I’ve ever seen. Big ones, tiny ones, scruffy mutts and positive pooches — all of them adding to the laid-back, everyone is welcome vibe that defines this field. If we could stop them humping the merch table leg in future though, that would be great.

I met folks who brought their kids, who’ve been coming every year since the start, who build their summer around this one weekend. I also met and came with others who arrived curious and left as part of the family. That’s the power of a place like this — it draws you in, not because of hype or headliners, but because of heart.

If you’ve ever longed for the days when festivals felt more like a gathering of kindred spirits than a commercial venture, then Ey Up Mi Duck might just be the one you’re looking for. If you were there this year you already know. Thanks for the tunes, the chats, and the love. It was a privilege to be part of it.

Until next time — Let’s keep leaving footprints, making memories, and keeping this family spirit alive.