DevaFest has carved out a rather appealing niche for itself. While many festivals chase the latest trends or attempt to cultivate an air of exclusivity, DevaFest is much more straightforward: great music, good food, family entertainment and a welcoming atmosphere.
And, as the weekend demonstrated, sometimes that’s all you really need.
With a hugely varied line-up spanning pop, rock, dance, soul and nostalgia, there was something for almost everyone. From established favourites to high-energy party acts, DevaFest offered a musical journey that refused to be restricted by genre — or generation.
One of the festival’s biggest strengths is its appeal to families. DevaFest genuinely feels like a family festival, with entertainment taking place throughout the weekend alongside the music. Children have plenty to keep them occupied, while parents can enjoy the live acts without feeling that the festival experience has been designed solely around the younger members of the family.
That balance is difficult to achieve, but DevaFest gets remarkably close.
The food offering was another highlight. A strong selection of independent food vendors provided plenty of choice throughout the site, moving well beyond the standard festival fare. From quick bites to more substantial meals, there was enough variety to keep even the most demanding festival appetite satisfied.
And, of course, there was the music.
James Morrison brought his distinctive soulful sound to the festival, delivering a set that showcased why his voice has remained so recognisable over the years. The Christians performance was packed with familiar songs and the kind of crowd participation that comes naturally when a band has spent decades building a catalogue of much-loved material.
EMF brought a completely different energy, starting the weekend by injecting it with a healthy dose of ’90s nostalgia and getting the crowd moving in the process. Clint Boon added his own unmistakable Manchester edge, while Anthony Russell brought soul and personality to the stage.
A1 provided another nostalgic highlight, while The Vengaboys transformed the festival atmosphere into something approaching an enormous outdoor party. Their set was exactly what you would expect — energetic, infectious and almost impossible to watch without joining in.
Ronan Keating offered a more reflective moment, delivering the familiar pop songs that have become part of the soundtrack to several generations.
For those looking for something more dance-focused, N-Trance delivered plenty of energy, while Symphonic Ibiza combined club classics with orchestral arrangements to create one of the weekend’s more visually and musically distinctive performances.
The festival’s eclectic nature continued with Apache Indian, Electric Swing Circus and The Stickmen Project, each bringing something very different to the programme.
Gok Wan also proved a natural entertainer, bringing his trademark enthusiasm and personality to the stage, while Ash provided a welcome dose of guitar-driven nostalgia.
There was plenty of entertainment away from the main musical acts too. Dick and Dom brought their trademark humour and energy to proceedings, while Oh My God! It’s The Church added another entertaining and unexpected element to an already varied weekend.
That eclecticism is perhaps DevaFest’s greatest strength. You could move from indie rock to dance music, from pop nostalgia to comedy and family entertainment, without ever feeling as though the festival had lost its identity.
And then came the finale.
Jessie J brought the festival to a suitably spectacular close, providing the big headline performance that rounded off an already packed weekend. Her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence gave the audience one final opportunity to come together before the festival drew to a close.
By the end of the weekend, DevaFest had delivered exactly what it set out to do: a broad, accessible celebration of live entertainment that brought different generations together.
It doesn’t try to be the coolest festival on the calendar. It doesn’t need to.
Instead, DevaFest offers something arguably more valuable — a place where parents can enjoy the music they love, children have plenty to do, food is taken seriously and the atmosphere remains welcoming throughout.
In an increasingly crowded festival market, DevaFest has found its identity by simply being a great day — or weekend — out.
And with a line-up that can move from James Morrison to EMF, from the Vengaboys to Ash, and ultimately finish with Jessie J, it’s certainly not short of entertainment.
A festival with plenty of heart, plenty of variety and, importantly, plenty for the whole family.
