Expect bangers, anthems, real ales and a host of community groups as Needingworth’s longstanding and much-loved free community music festival returns with a twist on July 1 and 2.
Revamped as the Needingworth Music and Real Ale Festival, the annual gathering - which was last year crowned the fourth best festival in Cambridgeshire by public vote - features 12 real cask ales, a fizz and gin bar, a host of great new food options and a more diverse line up of performers than ever before.
The family-friendly festival features a covered a marquee where 14 stellar local acts will play across the weekend.
The village’s extensive playing fields mean families and music lovers alike can stretch out in the sunshine to enjoy the music and community-led activities.
This year, the fun includes entertainment from Needingworth’s Girlguides unita, the local karate club, face painting, the Holywell School Choir and a silent disco featuring a pop star-themed children’s fancy dress competition.
Entry remains free, though voluntary donations are encouraged, with all proceeds going to The Village Hall Trust, a registered charity serving a wide range of local community activities all year round.
Debbie Elmer, chair of the Village Hall Trust and the festival’s lead organiser, said: "NFEST has come a long way since its humble origins in 1995, with bands performing on an open-sided farmer's trailer and musicians and crowd at the mercy of the elements.
"Today we’re proud to be able to keep the festival free to enter and family-friendly, whilst welcoming some of the best local musical talent around.
"NFEST is a bit of a hidden gem in the festival calendar, loved by families and music lovers alike for its diversity, affordability and relaxed atmosphere.”
Reflecting on this year’s musical line up, festival MC Gethyn Williams said:
“We’ve always had fantastic support from the local music scene and in turn we try to create a great experience for them.
"This year we’ve got a brilliant line up – from the punk of our headliners The Expletives to classic rock from Totally Floyd and summer vibes from Peterborough’s Latino Sound.
“This year we’ve also worked hard to get much greater gender diversity onto the bill.
"Nine of our 14 acts feature female performers, six of them female-led.
"With so many festivals majoring in male-led rock acts, we really wanted to bring a better balance to our line-up. Fortunately there are many amazing female performers in the area and we didn’t have to look far.”
The organisers are also proud to be working on reducing its carbon footprint and has a long-term intention to become a net zero event.
In 2022 they eliminated single use plastic from their catering, introducing a reusable cup scheme at its bars.
Bottled water is now longer available with refill points on site. Caterers now provide a bigger range of plant-based options and some of the money raised by the festival is helping the Village Hall Trust to explore renewable energy installation.
Debbie Elmer said: “If you’ve been the Needingworth before come and join us again on the 1st weekend of July – they’ll be something new for everyone.
"And if this is your first time then welcome, you’re in for a treat! We can’t wait to introduce you to our festival.”
You can find the full festival programme online via www.needingworthmusicfestival.com/index.php/nfest-22-programme/
Entry details and stage times
Gates from 12noon Saturday and Sunday.
Music from 2pm Saturday and 12.30pm Sunday
Acts finish at 10.20pm on Saturday and 6pm on Sunday.
Entry is by voluntary donation on the door – NFEST is an unticketed event.
Site address
Needingworth Village Hall, Overcote Lane, Needingworth, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 4TU
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