Maverick: where hundreds of a pairs of eyes and ears embark on an individual path of music enjoyment. No two journeys are the same as the sights and sounds ferment to personally absorb what time spent at Easton Farm Park means. Festivals are unique and Maverick is no exception as witnessed from many years of winding around the lanes of rural Suffolk to the UK’s most established gathering of what we try to define as ‘Americana’. The printed programme introduction announced its coming of age eighteenth birthday, although Maverick reached a level of maturity a while back, most pertinently in 2020 with a timely You Tube reminder of what we were missing. Never taken for granted, the event powers on with 2025 showing what heights can be achieved with creative curation.
Maybe the general awareness-weighting of artists booked as a line up entity didn’t match the levels of previous years but extract the impact and quality of performance and you were left with a catalogue of countless memorable moments, high class sets and an invaluable sense of communal excellence. Old favourites cemented their eminence while new favourites lit the fuse. The farm opened its soul and sincere sounds, mainly but not wholly stringed- based, filled the surroundings with opulent pleasure.
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| Sara Petite |
Away from the Barn, Peacock, Green and Moonshine stages, idiosyncratic novelties formed the backdrop. From yoga with goats to re-located prized pigs, rustic charm added to the natural scent amidst the idle chat of acquaintances meeting up swapping must-see lists and informal just-seen reviews. Some rigidly stick to a pre-researched schedule, others flit between closely located stages sampling as much as possible. The flexible thrive on recommendation, the casual are guided by open ears. Dancers loosen their limbs at every opportunity, singers need no second invite. Clappers quickly find their rhythm, listeners hone in on each lyric. There is no right or wrong way to get the most out of Maverick. Music in its purist form is open to all.
The aftermath of a successful festival is a comedown. An all-encompassing experience of total absorption will only ever be a limited high. Maverick takes you away from the real world into a land of real songs. Reflection leaves a yearning for a repeat; shared reflection provides a guiding light for outsiders to seek or fellow revellers to reminiscence the recent reverie.
These random moments that sealed the deal of Maverick 2025 are as personal as you get. They are a mere snapshot of what made the weekend special. Festivals need a chink of light to infiltrate a music lover’s horizon. The converted will concur; converts in-waiting may heed to the catalyst. Maybe you’re tempted to try it or return one day.
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| Toria Woof |
Unfazed Improvisation
No amplified sound; no problem. The Weeping Willows pitch up in front of The Green stage crowd on Saturday morning a couple of songs into the opening set and the show went on. Mercifully short before normal resumption but it nailed a willing interaction.
Lighting the Spark
Style, voice, song craft and demeanour all set Toria Woof apart as a new artist with an enormous impact. The full splendour of Goth Americana from a stylish performer redefined Bolton as an area of West Pennine mystique and was one to seek out further beyond the realm of a festival.
Conquering the Re-interpretation
Danny George Wilson, Paul Lush and Thomas Collison diligently stripped back the treasures of the latest Champs album on Friday night in the Moonshine replacing synth excellence with acoustic delight. Brave maybe, one-off possibly, evocatively effective definitely.
Wowed by Development
Six years from first tentatively stepping into UK venues from her Australian home, Nashville-based Imogen Clark played an immensely powerful demonstrative set melding classy pop joviality with the heart and soul of Americana delivery. The Friday Barn performance was over too quick, but more soon, please.
Touching Your Heart
Elise LeBlanc sensed a receptive space and Maverick proved the ideal setting for this Western Canadian to inspire through honky tonk and a shared personal experience full of guile and wit. Time is sacred at a festival and this Saturday afternoon Barn set wasted not a single second of affective connection.
Feeding Your Mind
Word got around that Holly Carter’s Joe Hill story set induced a tear with its emotive sadness. Cue a dash to see an evening Moonshine performance with a wider songwriting remit raising the singer-songwriter bar to giving voice to deceased heroes of pursued justice and sharing a candid take on mental health. Enrichment with elegance was the name of the game.
Owning the Space
Maverick loves Sara Petite; Sara Petite loves Maverick. This time the multiple festival returnee had the honour of closing The Green stage on Saturday teatime and wooed all present with an invigorating display of heartfelt punchy music harnessing country sensibilities with rock ’n’ roll verve.
Raise the Roof
Original music is the heartbeat of Maverick but the odd enhancing cover can add vibrancy to the moment. Cash, Springsteen and Dylan are the usual suspects but not for David Ford and Michele Stodart. Nothing is out of bounds when sung with grace and integrity as the Moonshine Friday crowd lent their voices to join in on ‘Show Me Heaven’. Yep, it worked a treat.
Consummative Ease
You want to frame the moment when music flows from the stage with the utmost relaxing ease. Sarah Jane Scouten is currently finding a rich vein when sharing her original songs in a timeless traditional country style. She grasped the invite to play a part in The Green Note/BPA Live joint birthday celebration on Moonshine Friday with relish. The winners were those in earshot.
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| Sarah Jane Scouten |
Whether making my Maverick cut or impressing the presence of other festival goers, all artists played a part in this successful staging alongside the organisers and dedicated band of operatives from sound engineers to bar servers. A real team effort to reward your investment.
2026 anyone? Choosing Maverick won’t disappoint. Embarking on a 360 mile round journey from the West Midlands to deepest Suffolk each year since 2010 is the testimony. A tear shed in 2020 served to strengthen the resolve. No tears this year, just a contented music fan.
My Maverick: Joe Martin. Ags Connolly. Imogen Clark. Michele Stodart & David Ford. Sarah Jane Scouten. Danny George Wilson. The Weeping Willows. Dan Webster. Linda McLean & the Awakening. Toria Woof. Elise LeBlanc. Sara Petite. Kelley Mickwee. Two Crows For Comfort. Prinz Grizzley. Casey Neil & Chet Lyster. Gypsy String Revival. Ella Spencer. Baskery + many more causally dipped into.