The Big Chill 2009: photo gallery

The Big Chill 2009

If you want a festival experience that’s just a little less hectic than some of the others that the UK has to offer (we’re looking at you, Download and Glastonbury), The Big Chill is the place to go. Sun-kissed ambience is not the only thing on the agenda, though, as MusicRadar discovered when it headed to Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire for four days of music, comedy, tea and sausage.

NEXT: Headliners Orbital backstage and on-stage

The calm before the storm

MusicRadar chatted to Phil (left) and Paul Hartnoll of Orbital in the backstage area prior to their headine set. They discussed their live return, but also revealed that there are no plans for a new album.

Orbital Explode

The Hartnoll brothers headlined the main stage on Saturday, using Ableton Live and Jazzmutant’s Lemur as the focal points of their setup.

Roll up, roll up

The DJ booth at the Rizla stage. “No, I haven’t got any burgers…”

Big issues

Help the homeless… and get yourself a festival programme.

Cooped up

The Coop Tent was a new addition for The Big Chill 2009, and hosted both music and comedy. Note the slightly incongruous disco ball.

Kings of the Castle

For something big but not necessarily chilled, why not try a late-night beats session at The Castle Stage?

Archipelago

Poppy electronica three-piece Archipelago played a couple of acoustic sets.

Lazing on a sunny afternoon

No, your eyes are not deceiving you: in this most dismal of UK summers, there was actually some sun.

AL-PHA-X

AL-PHA-X (AKA Declan Flynn) leaves the crowds behind and gets back to nature.

Alucidnation

With his dreamy soundscapes, Alucidnation (AKA Bruce Bickerton) can brighten even cloudy skies.

Water slide

And the award for ‘The least accessible helter skelter in the world’ goes to…

Sneaky

Sneaky (right) played a Friday afternoon set on the main stage....

Men of letters

If you ever forgot where you were, this sign was on hand to give you a bit of a clue.

Mr Scruff

Mr Scruff sat down with MusicRadar to talk production, DJing and – most importantly – tea.

Wicker man

Look at his hands and you’ll see that this wicker man is actually playing a giant invisible wicker piano.

Another one done

Now this is what you want at a festival: the sun sets over the Herefordshire countryside and, for another year, on The Big Chill.