Starfields 2023 – Reviewed

Charlotte Rabiei reviews Starfields, the annual music festival hosted by the St Andrews Charity Fashion Show.

I’ll admit that I knew very little about Starfields prior to attending the event on Saturday 9th September at Lower College Lawn. I had a vague awareness of the importance of the fashion show scene to St Andrews – mostly because of those famous photos of Kate Middleton on the runway at DONT WALK – and so I thought that was the sort of event that I would be going to when I was invited by the St Andrews Charity Fashion Show (FS) to attend Starfields. Very ignorant, I know. But I think that this review will be helpful for those fashion show-newbies like myself, providing an entirely unbiased perspective of attending an FS event without being ‘in the know’ about this dynamic and exciting St Andrews tradition.

Of course, having attended Starfields, I am now aware of the size and scale of the St Andrews Charity Fashion Show and their events. There are over sixty-five committee members in FS and at least a thousand people came last Saturday to party with friends and enjoy the headlining musical acts of Starfields. So that was the first revelation for me when I arrived at 4:30 in the afternoon – Starfields is not, in fact, a fashion show, but rather a festival fundraiser for the main event that will be taking place in February.

Source: Tate Sedwick for the St Andrews Charity Fashion Show

The event took place on the centrally-located Lower College Lawn, with a large stage for the musical acts underneath a tent-like contraption more reminiscent of a Glastonbury or Reading stage rather than a St Andrews student-run event. More centrally placed on the lawn was a gazebo with a transparent plastic covering, housing the bar. The bar was impressively large, a square counter placed in the round to maximise the space available for people to be served. Decorating the place were draped light bulbs, colourful bunting, and lanterns scattered everywhere. For seating, there were a handful of bench tables and more playful and thematically coherent beanbags placed strategically – but scarcely – around the lawn. As the venue got busier, most people who wished to sit down resorted to simply sitting on the grass; this got a lot muddier as the night went on, with my friend completely destroying her white Air Forces. I guess that’s the real festival experience, right?

Truthfully, it was a bit intimidating to see just how cool the crowd at Starfields looked. The FS committee and the attendees of their events have made themselves a well-deserved name as the fashion representatives and trendsetters of St Andrews. Vibrant and mismatching patterns and silvery metallics seemed to be the order of the evening for Starfields 2023, and many festival-goers rocked statement pieces and funky accessories in addition to more basic streetwear looks.

Source: Tate Sedwick for the St Andrews Charity Fashion Show

This year, Starfields hosted an impressive array of DJs playing house and electronic music, with headlining acts including Silk (Watford-based with 732.2k monthly Spotify listeners), COEO (German-based with 705.7k monthly listeners) and the star of the show, Edinburgh-born Barry Can’t Swim – who has an impressive two million monthly listeners and was voted by Billboard as one of their ‘10 Dance Artists to Watch in 2022’. The overall vibe at Starfields was infectious, and I ultimately didn’t end up caring that I couldn’t really sing along to these songs (my usual favourite pastime on a dancefloor) as I was too busy dancing with friends instead.

As if the drinks, socialising, and music wasn’t enough, the FS events team was not finished with all the surprises that Starfields had to offer. Beside the bar, there were a few small stands with all sorts of extras on offer. The hairstyling stall, where one could get their hair braided or glittered up in true festival fashion, was by far the most popular stall at the beginning of the night. If people fancied a coffee, there were iced matcha or chai lattes and more available next door, courtesy of Spoiled Life Café, with stands for La Crêperie and Saint Sizzle also nearby. Saint Sizzle grew in popularity over the night, with a wait time of around twenty minutes to get your burger at its peak. But wait – there’s more! I was surprised to discover that behind the DJ tent were two more stalls hidden away with churros and fish and chips respectively on offer. It seems like not many people knew about this, as I ended up informing many of my friends of its existence. It should also be noted that these stalls all charged normal prices, nothing discounted or free for the event attendees.

Initially upon arriving at Starfields, I felt very out of place. This is mostly down to the time I had chosen to arrive, as it seemed that despite the event being open from 4 in the afternoon, only really the committee members themselves populated the place for a while – at least until quarter to 6. I had asked a few people – including committee members – why the times chosen for the event were so awkward, but no one seemed to be able to give me a reason for this. It felt quite inefficient seeing as no one wanted to arrive at 4 PM and once the clock turned struck 10, most people didn’t want to leave.

Source: Tate Sedwick for the St Andrews Charity Fashion Show

Pretty much the bulk of attendees had arrived by 6 PM, and the bar was immediately overwhelmed with speople wanting drinks. I think that maybe a few more bartenders were needed to handle the demand, as it would take at least fifteen to twenty minutes to be able to reach the front of the crowd and grab the attention of one of the bartenders. The bartenders were great at handling it all, though – one, in particular, was able to remember ridiculously long orders from many people – and they never wavered under the persistent pressure of alcohol-craving students.

I’ll now end my review of Starfields with an oft-ignored but incredibly important aspect of any event – bathrooms. As someone with a pretty weak bladder, the available bathrooms at these kinds of functions matter a lot to me. FS had a small number of portaloos positioned in a fairly narrow alleyway behind Lower College Hall. This queuing area was very busy and chaotic deep into the evening, but there was an alternative. It seemed not many of the freshers knew this, but if they had just entered the school buildings from the door right next to the portaloos and walked up a small spiral staircase, they would reach the hall bathrooms. Just call me the @got2gonyc of St Andrews – you’re welcome!

All in all, from my first-time impression of Starfields, I think I have been strongly convinced to attend the main fashion show event next semester. That being said, if it were possible to push back the start time of the event so that the awkwardness of the beginning was eliminated and the fun part towards the end of the night could continue longer, the already excellent Starfields would earn another star in my books.

Comments

comments

99 thoughts on “Starfields 2023 – Reviewed

  1. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable information to work on. You’ve done a formidable job and our entire community will be grateful to you.

  2. In accordance with my observation, after a in foreclosure process home is offered at a bidding, it is common to the borrower to be able to still have some sort ofthat remaining balance on the bank loan. There are many loan providers who attempt to have all costs and liens cleared by the upcoming buyer. Nevertheless, depending on certain programs, legislation, and state legislation there may be many loans which aren’t easily handled through the exchange of lending options. Therefore, the responsibility still rests on the customer that has received his or her property foreclosed on. Many thanks for sharing your notions on this website.

  3. After I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a means you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos.

  4. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if
    you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter
    updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite
    some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.
    Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look
    forward to your new updates.

  5. Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.

  6. Hey there, You have performed a great job. I will definitely digg it and for my part suggest to my friends. I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this web site.

  7. We would also like to express that most individuals that find themselves with out health insurance can be students, self-employed and people who are laid-off. More than half in the uninsured are really under the age of Thirty five. They do not sense they are in need of health insurance since they are young in addition to healthy. The income is normally spent on homes, food, in addition to entertainment. Many individuals that do represent the working class either whole or part-time are not provided insurance via their work so they move without due to the rising valuation on health insurance in america. Thanks for the thoughts you share through your blog.

  8. Can I just say what a relief to discover somebody that really knows what they are talking about on the net. You definitely know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people really need to check this out and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular since you surely possess the gift.

  9. Good post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always helpful to read through content from other writers and use something from other sites.

  10. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Very helpful information particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such info much. I was looking for this particular info for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.

  11. I used to be more than happy to find this internet-site.I wished to thanks in your time for this excellent learn!! I definitely having fun with every little little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.

  12. I have observed that online education is getting favorite because getting your college degree online has developed into popular method for many people. Many people have definitely not had a possible opportunity to attend an established college or university nonetheless seek the improved earning potential and a better job that a Bachelor Degree gives. Still other folks might have a qualification in one discipline but would want to pursue anything they now develop an interest in.

  13. Hey! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a extraordinary job!

  14. I believe that avoiding refined foods is the first step to lose weight. They may taste beneficial, but refined foods have very little vitamins and minerals, making you feed on more just to have enough vigor to get over the day. When you are constantly eating these foods, moving over to grain and other complex carbohydrates will help you to have more power while eating less. Interesting blog post.

  15. Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  16. Hi, I believe your site could possibly be having internet browser compatibility problems. Whenever I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Aside from that, great website!

  17. Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossips and net and this is actually annoying. A good web site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for keeping this web-site, I will be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it.

  18. Hi would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good internet hosting provider at a fair price? Cheers, I appreciate it!

  19. Your style is so unique in comparison to other people I’ve read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this page.

  20. Sweet blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Appreciate it

  21. I have learn some good stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot effort you set to create the sort of wonderful informative website.

  22. After looking into a number of the articles on your website, I honestly like your technique of blogging. I saved it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my website as well and tell me your opinion.

  23. I truly love your website.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you build this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m planning to create my very own blog and would love to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Cheers!

  24. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all folks you actually recognize what you’re speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also talk over with my website =). We could have a hyperlink change contract among us!

  25. Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is just cool and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.

  26. After I originally commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot.

  27. When I initially commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Many thanks.

  28. You can certainly see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.

  29. Can I simply just say what a relief to find a person that really knows what they’re discussing on the internet. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people should check this out and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you aren’t more popular because you certainly possess the gift.

  30. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website. I really hope to see the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own blog now 😉

  31. Hello are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any html coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!

  32. Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thank you Nevertheless I’m experiencing concern with ur rss . Don?t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting identical rss drawback? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

THE STAND