Set against our vague notion of attempting to consolidate a variety of artists from both Poland and elsewhere with sensibilities weaned themselves on different ideas and interests only dovetailing at certain junctures, we feel that what turned out to represent re:source festival (first edition) largely succeeded. Having noted this, however, and before expanding further on this, I would have to personally say that, even at this point, several weeks on, I am still somewhat reeling from everything and now, indeed, have a far stronger understanding of what is involved in the running of a festival,; even one as modest as re:source.

The festival itself, as both co-organiser Hayden Berry and myself may have pointed out before, was only initially set up to both promote the name re:source, which we hope to push further and have other ideas for, and bring artists we like and/or have worked with before to Krakow and, hopefully, new ears. We always wanted to keep everything low-key and intimate, with a strong emphasis on diversity, since good music traverses every direction and is often best heard in more homely confines.

It was with the latter point in mind that both Klub Re and Alchemia made perfect venues for the three days that brought Visionary Hours, Trigg & Gusset, Richard Youngs,  Konrad Geca, Michel Banabila, Grzegorz Bojanek, Nick Mott, Karl Culley, The Fields Of Hay with Tomek Choloniewski and Zsolt Sores together, as well as a film by Zenial. A splendid mix of artists, ranging from an earnest singer-songwriter to subdued & filmic electronica, to improvised noisedelica and something that ended up bordering on avant-garde performance art. For some people, perhaps too diverse a selection of artists and music? Or maybe, simply, too ambitious on our part to expect an entire audience to completely open up to everything presented to it? Thankfully, however, a significant amount of those who attended, perhaps partly baited by the affordable entrance fees or even better deal on the 3-day pass, did show willingness in their support of everything, though. This at least helped to compound the notion we had done something right.

 I am not going to dwell on the actual performances here. I was too wrapped up in everything as a whole to focus on the nuances or details at work that my capacity as an occasional reviewer might have picked up on. The sense of occasion and achievement overwhelmed me. As such, and as much as I paid attention to the sets whenever possible, I likewise monitored the audience and, of course, had a mind racing in several directions at any one point regardless.

So, did the festival work and were we happy with it? I would have to say that we were extremely happy with it on just about every level. The artists enjoyed themselves, the organisation of all the proceedings went very smoothly (with due thanks to the four volunteers who also played a very important role in this respect), the audience appeared satiated, and the general atmosphere was positive and brimming with enthusiasm.

It is with this in mind that I hope we do another in early December again this year. There is time in the interim to expand on what we are trying to do at re:souce, perhaps promote another concert or two under this banner, and to hope that you will appreciate what we hope to achieve as well and maybe even get involved or bring ideas to our forever welcoming table.

 The festival should, if it is to continue, become a meeting of minds and a kinda crossroads where those who proclaim a deep interest in music can explore new sounds or at least open their ears to music maybe not previously given a chance. This premise remains fundamental to what we are doing, and we hope more will come to realise and appreciate this.

On the first night, I was hastily cajoled into becoming a compere during the festival. Not being in the least prepared for this beyond a drink or two, I mumbled and bumbled my way through an explanation, of sorts, that the festival was going to bring with it a mix of easy and uneasy listening. It is with this firmly in mind that I hope we do another.

 After all, it is as solid a starting point as anything else..