As if being a radio DJ, a musician, a mother and an author didn’t keep her busy enough, Cerys Matthews is also a festival supremo.

Three years ago, she and three friends decided to put on a festival with a difference – one that rejected big-name headliners and heavy branding in favour of authenticity, simplicity and old-fashioned values.

This September's Good Life Experience in Flintshire, Wales will be the fourth, and just like the previous three you can expect an eclectic mix of music, live-fire cooking, talks, and workshops taking in everything from Wild West hoedown dancing to hand-carving spoons.

This year’s packed lineup includes legendary DJ Norman Jay, touareg blues trio Ezza, poet and author Michael Rosen, chefs Thomasina Miers, Tom Hunt and Valentine Warner, plus a host of others.

As the summer festival season cranks into gear, we speak to Cerys about the Good Life Experience philosophy, why we all need to slow things down for the odd weekend, and what Skepta (probably) listens to on the weekend…

The Interview

The Good Life Experience takes place at the Hawarden Estate in Flintshire, Wales, from 15-17 September. Adult weekend tickets cost from £104 (or £134 with camping). For more information visit thegoodlifeexperience.co.uk

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