Our friend Gail organises a little event in the Forest of Dean but due to work commitments I’ve never yet made it. But this year she is branching out with Something Else A Bit North later on in the Summer and this one, which took place on the Crouch Valley Showground near Rayleigh in Essex and therefore much closer to home for us.

The 2 stages, one tented and one outdoor, sat adjacent to one another with bands alternating between the two so it was quite possible to get yourself comfortable in the sunshine and not have to move a muscle in order to see acts on both stages. Everything was solar powered and off grid so the irony of the pylons around us didn’t go unnoticed.

There was plenty of flat camping space, trampolening and water zorbing for the kids and canine friends were welcome. There were also a couple of small clothing stalls and plenty of clean toilets, although I have to say the food from the one catering outlet was disappointing. The selection of beers and ciders available on the other hand were absolutely first class and a bargain at £3 a pint.

Something Else Somewhere Else is only a tiny event with performers and crew probably outnumbering paying punters. But it deserves to grow, at least to its capacity of 500. So come along and support Gail and her crew either at this event next year or one of her others around the country. They are real grass roots festivals done the right way.