Earth Song – Model Festival for the New Realists (Part 1)

Where to begin….?

Just back from 9 glorious days in a field outside of Cahir, Co Tipperary. Earth Song might not be one of the more famous festivals in Ireland today, but it is one of the most important, deeply affecting and inspiring ones.

“Birthed” by John Bowker and Angie Pinson of “Tribal Spirit” and inspired by the “Unicorn” camps in the UK, Earth song for me is the perfect example of how a human community can live, work, network, heal and celebrate together in honour and respect for the land on which they congregate.

The first thing that strikes the ‘contemporary realist’ is the no drugs or alcohol rule so lets get that out of the way. For a camp like this to work I believe it is essential. The obvious logistical and safety issues spring to mind, but there is a deeper, more human reason at play here.

Rather than providing an escape, drugs and booze here would simply desensitise people to the experience and to the land. That’s the very reason you go there in the first place, so why spend more money on substances in order to waste what you’re already spent on the ticket?

You get the sense that most people here have done (or are doing) their partying elsewhere, and that they have decided to leave it aside to be present as much as possible at this very unique event. The normality and genius of that idea soon sets in.

The experience of camping is probably familiar to most, but here it is unique as your circle really does become your family for the 9 days, with all the positive and negative connotations that implies.

We had a serious blow out early on between 2 members of our circle who had just met. The problem was resolved in that what we believed as a group was the honourable thing to do was done, but there was no love lost between the two parties for the rest of the week.

The point here being this aint no ‘happy hippy’ gathering per se. It is an opportunity to live as part of a community, where people are equals and problems can be resolved through compromise. If people feel their voice will be heard and they have a chance to contribute, then they will feel more valued and fulfilled. They will feel they belong. A lot of problems in our contemporary society stem from the reality that this simply is not the case for your average citizen.

Another fascinating facet of this unique camping experience is the system under which the camp is actually run. Working together is key to survival. Morning meetings in the big top, open to all, are an essential part of the day’s activities. Problems, suggestions, jobs, reminders and so on are handed out and discussed.

I missed only one meeting. Couldn’t resist. Had to see the community at work. It created such a sense of belonging. Everyone  contributed. Individuals I would have ignored easily on the street became iconic figures and characters in our little world. Under the stewardship of a small group, the camp became a well oiled machine. The jobs, of which I did none this year admittedly (I’m quite shy really), became part of the social scene of the event entire.

• “How were the toilets?”
• Simple wooden structure sitting over a long trench in the ground. Plenty of bog roll, sawdust and handwash in the vicinity (along with a daily clean)  made these toilets unparalleled.

The day / week structures are designed by people who obviously have a huge amount of experience of such camps. Morning mantras / yoga are followed by a very powerful ‘Heartsong’ to bring the day up to 10ish. Break / morning meeting followed by some kicking drum workshops for beginners and more advanced drummers.

The drumming workshops were a revelation to me last year. Kicking dance music (drums, bells, shakers) in a tent just after breakfast. All live natural music played by the people you are living and working with. Top class facilitators (as in the best) and you can tell they are buzzing off working in these conditions with these numbers.

Dinner, followed by 2 rounds of further workshops – drums, dance, skills (woodwork / felting) and other various workshops such as non-violent communication, family constellations (mind blowing), listening from the heart and so on. Dive into one of these groups, go on that journey, or choose to chill out – your choice.

• What do the kids do?
• They play on the play things nearby and there’s a creche if needs be. The community takes care of all the kids so let them go free and relax.

Part Two to follow shortly……