We Out Here is the one of the UK’s most joyful celebrations of music and culture.
It truly is such a beautiful festival for many reasons – whether it’s the music, talks, well-being workshops, or even the swimming, there is a very relaxed vibe as soon as you enter the idyllic grounds at Wimborne St Giles. It’s easy to see why people come back year after year.
Curated by DJ Gilles Peterson, the festival seamlessly blended a mix of jazz, soul, hip hop, house, afrobeat, electronica and global sounds – few other UK festivals we cover offer such an adventurous and thoughtfully assembled line-up.
Many of the names on the line-up may not be household names (yet), but one of the joys of We Out Here is discovering new exciting music, and then playing it repeatedly when you get home.
That’s not the say the headliners weren’t special. At the top of the bill on Thursday was Digable Planets. The trio have created a unique style of hip-hop which incorporates funk and jazz samples – more than 30 years after their debut, their music still shines and makes you want to dance all night.
Friday raised the bar further and offered one of the best line-ups across the summer festival season. Mercury Prize nominees corto.alto impressed with a fine multi-instrumental jazz performance, before Anaiis dazzled the crowd. Backed by a choir, the Senegalese singer shone bright in a stunning outfit and head-dress, while performing songs from her incredible album ‘Devotion and the Black Divine’.
Over at the aptly titled Lush Life stage, Sampa The Great also lived up to her name. The Zambian singer got the party going with her powerful blend of hip-hop, spoken word, rap and soul – Sampa and her impressive band really are one to see live as there was so much energy and love.
Joy Crookes followed and delivered one of the weekend’s standout main-stage sets. Stating how she grew up buying Gilles Peterson’s compilation albums, she launched into her hit ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me Now‘ as featured in the FIFA game and many adverts – it’s no wonder she proclaimed that the song has helped pay her rent for many years.
The main stage on Friday concluded with multi-Grammy Award winner Thundercat. Combining incredible bass playing with effortless charisma, he proved once again why he remains one of contemporary music’s most compelling live performers…and a fellow geek!
Elsewhere, there was never a shortage of reasons to roam between stages until the early hours, with Kenny Dope playing at The Grove.
Saturday was even more of an eclectic mix. Over on the Lush Life stage, rappers MIKE and Kofi Stone separately delivered two of the best sets of the weekend, with heartfelt songs dedicated to those no longer with us.
The main stage belonged to Brazilian composer Arthur Verocai however. Joined by the Nu Civilisation Orchestra, he delighted the crowd with an expansive and emotional performance. Concluding the evening for us was Chicago house and soul pioneer Peven Everett who graced the stage with such elegance. His musicianship and talent was impossible to ignore.
Sunday offered a fitting conclusion. Embracing the world-wide culture on offer throughout the whole weekend, Anglo-French band Stereolab and American jazz icon Gary Bartz captivated the crowd, despite many weary legs and heads from the late night fun and dubious cocktails over the weekend.
Closing Rhythm Corner was a secret guest set by iconic DJ Kieran Hebden, better known as Four Tet – it’s always an absolute joy to listen to a master of his craft at work, and this was a fantastic finale to another great weekend in Dorset.
Gilles Peterson summed the weekend up so well:
“We’ve had people join us from all over the world for this year’s edition of We Out Here. There have been so many highlights; thanks to all the artists, all the incredible live musicians, the jazz, the soul, the dance, the security, the team, all the people, all the stages, Love Dancin’, Rhythm Corner, The Bowl, everyone. It’s been so amazing, thank you all for coming, and take care.”
We cannot wait to return again next year.
We Out Here 2027 has been confirmed as 19th – 22nd August 2027.
Returning festival goers can secure tickets on Thursday 27th August at 10am, with early-bird tickets going on sale on Tuesday 8th September at 10am
Tickets will be available on the We Out Here festival website at the following link – https://weoutherefestival.com
Words and Photos: Graham Tarrant