WOW! That was Towersey 2018!

TO quote Fisherman’s Friends, who headlined Towersey Festival on Bank Holiday Sunday night: “Towersey Festival, you have excelled yourself. What a crowd, what an atmosphere, what a place … a night that we will never forget.” And who, among any of us that were there, could sum up better what happened that night.

The Shires singer, Crissie Rhodes

And so it was for gig after gig, whether it was in one the main venues or the First Thursday Music Club Bar Stage, packed out for every performance.

The 54th Towersey Festival, one of the oldest independent music festival’s in the country, which ran from Friday, August 24 to Monday 27, saw a sell-out weekend of great performances, standing ovations and an estimated 9,000 revellers.

Highlights over the August Bank Holiday included appearances from Scottish brothers, The Proclaimers on the Saturday, August 25, who had the packed venue singing along, and UK country stars, The Shires, on Monday, August 27, while guitarist/ songwriter Richard Thompson opened the event on the Friday, with his Electric Trio – expanded to a quartet with the surprise addition of Christine Collister.

One of the ‘Proclaimers’, headliners at Towersey Festival 2018

Crowds were also wowed by five-piece Daphne’s Flight, who earned a standing ovation (one of many over the weekend), and Cornish shanty singers Fisherman’s Friends, whose Jon Cleave also made an appearance for the Sunday morning newspaper review. The Festival Dance House also kept dancers energised – especially during Saturday’s mammoth marathon ceilidh!

More than just the music!

Dozens of people took part in an early morning Ukulele workshop

While away from the music, a switch to re-usable pint mugs at bars was warmly welcomed by all, and was one of several changes introduced this year as part of a longstanding, and ongoing, commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the event.

The festival concluded with the now traditional Lantern Parade, featuring incredible constructions designed and created by visitors, and a sing-a-long of The Beatles’ Hey Jude, led by folk rock band, Blackbeard’s Tea Party.

Part of the Lantern Parade at Towersey Festival 2018

“We’ve seen such an eclectic mix of artists this year, from the country pop of The Shires, to the UK’s number one brass band, Brighouse and Rastrick, to an acclaimed teaming of Peter Knight and John Spiers,” said Towersey Director, Joe Heap.

“We’ve also welcomed appearances by such established folk artists as Roy Bailey, our Festival Patron who appeared at the very first Towersey back in 1965, to rising stars of the genre such as harpist Mera Royale, who won the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award this year, and Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne.”

Moody skies over Towersey before the sun came out again!

As well as welcoming Folk, Country and Roots music fans from all over the country – and beyond – Towersey Festival is always one of the big, social events for music-loving locals who go to Towersey to meet friends both old and new, and share the special atmosphere of music and merriment. Very often its the first experience of camping away from home, in a safe, local environment – a right of passage for many young teens from the town and local villages.

Dancing to Pon Aelius in the Bar stage tent, Towersey Festival 2018

Local talent showcased too

Local bands that made a real splash among new appreciators of their music included Prog Floyd, 2AMBlue, The Boodlum Band and Celtic Heartbeat. Also, a big mention must go to The Festival Choir who, after just four morning workshops, produced the most amazing wall of harmony acapella, under the stewardship of Roger Jackson.

Editor’s pick: Among my personal favourites were Pon Aelius (saw them twice!), The Boutones, The Shires (of course), Fisherman’s Friends (most EVER fun at a gig!), Blair Dunlop (who else could write songs with themes as various as the housing crisis, Determinism, Feng Shui and an ex-girl friend’s mum?), Faustus (a little bit in love with Saul Rose, accordian), Jig Doll Ensemble (Accordian playing, solo clog dancing AND headstands!), Cohen Braithwaite Kilcoyne (phenominal young talent who can hold the big stage as well an the intimacy of the Bar stage) and not forgetting the incredibly adept and entertaining Bella Gaffeny & Polly Bolton.

We’d love to hear your faves !! Add your comments below.

The dates for your diary for Towersey festival 2019, are Friday, August 23 to Monday, August 26.