With seven stages, around 140 acts, the Family Area and Community Art what better way to spend a weekend with the world on your doorstep!
Each year the festival continues not only a tradition of bringing musical diversity from our local community but also introduces music and artists from around the world as well as stimulating debate.
The Main Stage is home to our world music acts, with music from across the globe. There’s something new to discover at every turn. In 2012 we welcomed Juju (UK/Gambia), Mojo Magazine’s World Music album of the year winners in 2011, reggae legend Little Roy, bhangra superstar Jassi Sidhu, Mercury Music prize winner Speech Debelle, the UK festival debut of Poland’s R.U.T.A. and UK innovators The Boxettes and Molotov Jukebox.
Featuring, in the main part, the softer side of the festival bands, this year our Saturday headliners were punk pioneers The Damned. Also featured wereTom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets), Radio 2 favourites Miss600 and a World element from Guyanan flautist Keith Waithe and London based Dilanga whose music combines Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Additional performers included singer songwriters, country / blues, folk, jive, rockabilly and a whole lot more.
Hosted by Gareth Lloyd from BBC 3 Counties, this stage showcases the best of our local unsigned acts along with a selection of acts from the national scene. With everything from urban, indie, electro, hip hop and rock - all delivered with a big smile and bags of energy. Saturday headliners were indie heroes Young Knives, also appearing were the amazing Dizraeli and the Small Gods and live dubstep from Coda. Our Sunday headliners were local stars My Passion ably supported by Don Broco and The Birthday Suit featuring Rod Jones from Idlewild.
Early Sunday afternoon saw Herts Music Service take over the stage to showcase the best of the up and coming performers from our local schools. The place to witness the stars of the future.
The Reverend Michael Roden hosts the more contemplative side of the festival. With music ranging from folk, classical, gospel and latin to Zimbabwean rhythms and Eastern European folk. On Saturday we were very pleased to welcome brilliant headliners Soumik Datta and Bernhard Schimpelsberger presenting the audio / visual spectacular, Circle of Sound. Sunday saw the ROTW debut of Randolph Matthews and Byron Johnston, and the multi cultural crossover of Village Well.
We were again indebted to St Mary’s Church for allowing us to use their pews and helping create a very special atmosphere at the festival.
Chris Ripple brought you another eclectic line up of poets, musicians and leftfield entertainment. Saturday saw a very special performance for the one and only Edgar Broughton, as well as blues legend Skip ‘Little Axe’ McDonald. Sunday saw the return of local comedy heroes Spandex Ballet.
Saturday hosted acoustic acts, magic and two hours of comedy courtesy of lastminutecomedy. On Sunday, we hosted youth performances covering music, dance and the arts and close with an hour’s traditional Barn Dance.
Blunt Beats and their special guests returned with their chilled out tunes for you to relax to on the special space overlooking the festival site. The legendary DJ Derek blew us away on Sunday.
Our Family Area - with its Space and Planets theme - offered parents and children the chance to take part in lots of exciting activities. Face painting and aerosol art, with music, storytelling and entertainment.
We regularly send out information about the festival, fringe events, artist line-up and calls for help. If you are interested uin any of these things please signup.
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