By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: August Bank Holiday 2023

Trading a glitter makeover for an interview, I discover this is Erika’s second year volunteering at The People’s Kitchen in the World Music Village, at Victorious Festival – the south coast event held on August Bank Holiday by the sea in Portsmouth.

• Read on for reasons including more about the Global Music Village at Victorious Festival

They are situated next to The People’s Lounge, where we had just enjoyed a drumming workshop. Why does Erika work for them?

“I’m a chef by trade, so this is very familiar. I didn’t actually plan on going last year, but I was asked if I wanted to help and I dived in. Then I got the festival vibe; I’m definitely coming again next year.”

This is her daughter, Evelina’s, first ever festival and she’s looking forward to seeing Alt-J, Kate Nash and Rae. Erika notes that being next door to the Lounge is the “best place to be. I love tribal music.”

She is looking forward to seeing the UK’s only headline spot for Mumford and Sons (pictured below) on Sunday. We were lucky enough to catch up with Moses, who runs The People’s Lounge Stage at Victorious (pictured above volunteer Andrea Beard), as well as The People’s Kitchen.

He calls this area at the festival “a space to get lost in, to enjoy the buzz and the vibe; something a bit quirky and leftfield, in the sea of madness that is Victorious”.

Being placed in the Global Music Village (“a place for diversity, global cultures, world foods”) provides the vibe for The People’s Kitchen. Selling vegan, wholesome, homemade food (Indian thalis and cakes, for example), all the proceeds go directly to the charity, Arms Around the Child who support children living in adversity in Africa and worldwide.

The People’s Lounge stage hosts a variety of eclectic musical styles: jazz, funk, folk, country and blues, as well as drum workshops and hiphop takeovers. We ask about him, Moses, who is he, but he replies, “No, it’s not about me, it’s about community, it’s about people. I’m a people person, that’s The People’s Lounge, that’s what I’m all about. All about the people.”

The People’s Lounge and Kitchen have been supporting Arms Around the Child at Victorious Festival for coming up to ten years. Catch The People’s Lounge next at Escape to the Farm, a family friendly festival set in Hambledon, just outside of Portsmouth, on Saturday 9th September. Find The People’s Lounge on socials. armsaroundthechild.org

• Main picture via Facebook courtesy A Humdrum Mum. Mumford and Sons by Tom Langford.  Victorious 2024 Tickets
• Have you been to Victorious Festival before? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
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