Atomic Festival 2015 Event Review

The Atomic Festival is an event that caters for fans of all things mid-century and in 2015 it celebrated its second birthday in style.

The weather wasn’t on anyone’s side but that didn’t stop the crowds from turning up in droves. The choice of an art deco aerodrome in Sywell, Northampton is spot on. It’s central for everyone and really sets the scene for the event. There’s also a hotel on site and camping for those that want to enjoy the whole weekend.

The lineup of entertainment is just as impressive. The main hangar hosted jiving classes and competitions in the afternoon and live music and DJs throughout the day.  There was also a big top that boasted a 6000 sq ft dance floor complete with indoor heating!

There were too many bands to list here but we saw The Slingshots, The Intelli-Gents, Little Victor, The Ranch Girls with the highlight for us being the Ray Collins Hot-Club  who were simply brilliant. You can see the whole line up here.

Traders selling huge ranges of original vintage gear, reproduction stuff and curiosities made for an interesting browse. If you fancied a new look the hairdressers were on hand to shave your head and grease your quiff or tie your hair up in a retro style complete with curls.

The food on offer included spicy tacos, vegetarian wraps, fish and chips, hog roast and the obligatory hot dogs and burgers all served from period trailers and vans.

The kids and young at heart got a helter-skelter, roller rink, mini steam train and a wall of death.

The petrol heads had their fair share of entertainment too with drag racing and jets and bi-planes on both days.

For anyone passionate about chrome and fins, this is a great event too with at least 100 American classic and custom rides on show. Owners got to park in front of the drive-in movie screen showing Elvis; a classy way to spend the evening unless you were holed up in the big top listening to Ray Collins and the other acts like us.

A quality event, well worth the price of a ticket.

See you next year!

Enjoy the event pictures below!

Check out the show auto gallery here.

IMPORTANT: if you are in any of these pictures and want them to be removed please get in touch and we will oblige.

 

Author: Jason

American car and retro lifestyle fan. Get in touch, I'd love to get your car, bike, event or club on this website.

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  • Brighton Jive

    We had the privilege to teach Jive Classes here for the second year running. We had a fantastic time, the crowds at our classes were so enthusiastic that it created an electric atmosphere. We had time to see the jive contest, which was thrilling! Dancing to the bands and Dj’s in the evenings was brilliant. The drag racing was even more exciting this year! The selection of cars on display was even bigger again. I managed to get profile picture next to one of them!
    Next Year’s event can’t come quick enough! :)

    • http://www.freewaylegends.com Freeway Legends

      Thanks for commenting. I went for the cars mainly but while we there my partner fell in love with Jiving so we’re now taking lessons in Derby!
      Can you recommend any other good fifties events that combine cars, jiving and fashion?
      Also I’m going to get a page on here for Jiving clubs so make sure you send your details to us and we’ll help you get more customers.

      • http://www.brighton-jive.co.uk Brighton Jive

        Hi There,
        I am pleased that you have started having Jive lessons! The organisers of the Atomic Festival also run a weekender in November called The Rhythm Riot. The entertainment is mainly focused around the music and dancing, But there is plenty of the fashion of the era to be seen and alot of classic cars attend and they have a car cruise into Rye on the Sunday!
        http://www.rhythmriot.com/

      • http://www.brighton-jive.co.uk Brighton Jive

        Another event that may interest you is The Goodwood Revival https://grrc.goodwood.com/section/goodwood-revival/#MiZZTz6bCiZr4eTU.97

        • http://www.freewaylegends.com Freeway Legends

          Yes, we went last year. It’s an amazing show and well worth the entrance fee. I like how virtually everyone makes a real effort to get dressed up. Lots of tweed there which gives it a real classic British feel. We loved it.

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