Under Canvas 2015 Reviewed

After a long afternoon of polo on Saturday, I had no idea what to expect from the very different atmosphere of Under Canvas 2015. As I walked towards the main tent on Lower College Lawn, any doubts I had were gone, as the decorations and laid-back style of the event transformed St Andrews into an intimate music festival. A truly unique night, Under Canvas attracts a diverse group of students with its wide variety of musical acts and the chilled vibes that are unusual for a Saturday night in the Bubble.

Kicking off the evening, guests could wander outside to the STAR Radio tent, complete with balloons, body art, and a kiddie pool of pillows and blow-up bananas to relax in. Across the way, a large crowd gathered at the Music is Love tent to listen to live performances from some insanely talented students. While the night was chilly from that lovely Scottish wind, the blankets and cushions kept everyone warm, and I can honestly say the music was well-worth sitting outside for. With free popcorn by ProperCorn and drink tickets for the early birds, the night started off with a bang and only got better. Guests helped themselves to energy drink mixers and Under Canvas Beer made by the St Andrews Brewing Company as they settled in to what promised to be a great night.

As the sun set and the crowd rolled in, the main tent filled with the beginnings of a phenomenal set by Wovoka Gentle, a trio that kicked off the six hours of live music that had guests dancing until the early hours of morning. For guests returning from Under Canvas 2014, Wovoka Gentle was easily recognised as a collaboration of musical acts from last year’s event, Lights on the Mountain and Stokes, William. Starting the night out with folksy vibes that had a techno beat, the opening act had people on their feet cheering for more. During a short break, guests who needed a bit of fresh air from the crowd rejoined the acts from Music is Love and others hit the bar for more drinks. However, the crowd quickly gathered back at the main stage when New Carnival started playing a mix of original songs and brilliant covers that had guests clapping and singing along. With everyone dancing and cheering, it was clear no one wanted them to leave the stage with their mix of rock and folksy tunes.

A major change of pace arrived on stage when Soulpatch started playing, as they infused soul and techno beats together in a memorable DJ set. The night rolled on and it was well past 1am when one of the headliners, Horse Meat Disco, finally started playing. A clear turn from last year’s electric music set, HMD set the pace at a funky disco that ensured no one could stop dancing. With the night in full swing, Mike Mago entered the stage at finished off the night with energetic beats that only increased the raving atmosphere. From start to finish, I couldn’t help but throw some shapes on the dance floor as smoke and bubbles rained down from above the crowd. With music playing and a bass pumping all night, all of St Andrews knew that Under Canvas truly outdid itself this year.

It was clear that the committee was right, Under Canvas definitely has unique vibes. When they said come as you are, they were not kidding, and the eclectic gathering of guests did just that in their unique outfits and flowery headgear. I am forever thankful that they warned me ahead of time: wear your dancing shoes. Six hours of dancing in flats certainly took its toll on my feet, but the high spirits of the evening made it well worth it. When the night was over, I was definitely thankful for Blackhorn stand outside that gave me the energy to get home. With disco tunes stuck in my head, the long-forgotten cold was nothing as I walked home (until I decided a taxi would be more suitable after dancing all night).

Under Canvas clearly soared to new heights this year, and any concerns about the change in venue disappeared after spending the night partying away on Lower College Lawn. Even more mesmerising than the music was the insanity that was the lighting at this year’s event. It was a show in and of itself, and only served to make the musical acts even more enticing. Such a phenomenal event was made even greater with its dedication to raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, and the relationship between Under Canvas and charity made being a part of the evening that much more rewarding. With sponsorships such as Edinburgh Gin, the BEST WESTERN Scores Hotel, Pret A Manger, Balgove Larder, Embrace Life, Tens, Scaramanga St Andrews and Bonkers Original Gifts, Under Canvas provided an event full of music, dancing, drinks, charity, and a raffle, truly providing something for everyone there. Personally, I cannot wait to see what the committee comes up with next year as they continue their great work.

All images courtesy of Madeline Belt Photography.