28 July 2023 , 08:21
709
0
A Gloucester festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary in style this summer - and tickets are selling fast.
Witcombe Festival is one of the fastest-growing music festivals in the UK and gearing up for its biggest-ever weekend of music, cider and feel-good vibes.
Held over the August Bank Holiday at Witcombe Festival Fields, the event will see more than 90 acts playing across three different stages over the three days.
This year's stellar line-up includes Platinum-selling soul superstar Rag'n'Bone Man, dance music dons Chase & Status, grime star Bugzy Malone, and Radio 1 DJ Charlie Sloth.
Also on the bill are DJ Luck & MC Neat, Kele Le Roc, DJ Fresh, Bad Boy Chiller Crew, A Little Sound, Ellie Sax, Duke, Gardna, Not3s, and much more.
O2 apologies to furious Beyonce fans as tour sale crashes under 'huge demand'
Biggest and best yet
Witcombe Festival now attracts more than 30,000 attendees each year (Witcombe Festival)Needless to say, tickets for this year's highly-anticipated event are selling like proverbial hotcakes.
Festival founder Joe Pointon smiled: "We sold a record-breaking amount of tickets last year and they're going even faster now.
"This year’s festival promises to be the biggest and best yet, celebrating 10 years of fantastic live music performances and making memories which will last a lifetime.
"It’s absolutely amazing that we’re able to celebrate Witcombe’s anniversary by bringing our fans exactly the most requested artists we’ve ever had.
‘Our incredible fans have meant Witcombe has grown into the incredible event it is today so it’s great to bring such great artists together for them for what’s going to be our biggest and best weekend yet.
"It's very exciting that we have got Rag'n'Bone Man performing with his great band and backing singers. It's going to be one of those memorable spine-tingling moments.
"So if you haven’t booked your tickets yet, consider this your sign. Witcombe Festival 2023 is going to be an experience you won’t want to miss!"
Humble beginnings
It's all a long way from the festival's humble beginnings back in 2012.
The event started life as Witcombe Cider Festival when Joe accidentally produced too much organic cider for one man to drink and decided to throw a big party.
The first event at Witcombe Cricket Club attracted around 200 attendees. It featured a small marquee, a stage, various ciders, a handful of local bands, and a headline performance by The X Factor finalist Kitty Brucknell.
Calls for crackdown on illegal online touts who beat fans to tickets
Fast forward a decade and the rebranded Witcombe Festival now attracts more than 30,000 attendees to its new home in Brockworth as well as some of the world's top music acts.
Over the years, it has hosted the likes of Sean Paul, Craig David, Rudimental, Sigala, Tinie Tempah, Dizzee Rascal, Annie Mac, John Newman, Plan B, Faithless, Joel Corry, Ella Eyre, Example, Raye and Basement Jaxx to name just a few.
True to its roots
Witcombe Festival will celebrate '10 years of good times' this August Bank Holiday (Witcombe Festival)But despite this tremendous growth, the festival stays true to its roots – music and cider.
In addition to the headlining acts, festival-goers will have plenty of opportunities to explore different stages and areas, with amazing sound and lighting systems, platforms, and exclusive experiences.
Across the festival, numerous stalls will be set up to offer delicious street food, drinks and festival merchandise, with plenty of seating areas and chill-out zones.
Joe concluded: "At its core, Witcombe Festival is a family- and friends-run event with an ambition to put the biggest smiles on faces we can.
"In the end, our aim is to make the August Bank Holiday a highly anticipated event for everyone."
Find out more?
Witcombe Festival will celebrate '10 years of good times' at Witcombe Festival Fields, Brockworth Road, on the outskirts of Gloucester, from Friday, August 25 to Saturday, August 27.
For further information and to buy your tickets, see www.witcombefestival.co.uk