THOSE in Guildford will be delighted to see the return of GuilFest next week after a one year break.
It looked to be the end of the road in 2012 for this independent music and arts festival, but it is back with a bang to celebrate 22 years with an amazing, eclectic line-up over July 18-20.
Eclectic is certainly the right description with the entertainment taking place on no fewer than nine stages crossing all genres. Apart from live music there is comedy, theatre, arts and crafts and all sorts of other entertainment.
Dublin will be well represented in the massive list of acts appearing over the three days by the fairly diverse talents of Jedward, The Boomtown Rats and The Fureys.
Love them or not, the Grimes twins, John and Edward, have been a huge commercial success since Simon Cowell first scoffed at them on X-Factor. They represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest two years in succession, 2011 and 2012, finishing 8th and 19th. Their song Lipstick became the best-selling Eurovision song in 2011 and it will be interesting to see what kind of a reception they get in Guildford.
Bob Geldof’s Boomtown Rats are playing quite a few festivals this summer as well as a bunch of dates around the country in October and November. Formed in 1975, disbanded in 1986 and re-formed in 2013 they are bound to generate their own atmosphere running through their hits. It’s just as well that the festival is on over the weekend since they ‘don’t like Mondays’!
The Fureys just seem to roll on regardless in that timeless folk music way that folk bands do. With Davey Arthur out of action due to illness, George and Eddie carry the brand name with the same distinctive trademark style that has made them a household name for decades.
Guilfest was started in 1992 by Tony Scott, who still runs and directs the festival which won the Best Family Festival Award in 2006, and this looks like a vintage year.
Other acts to draw you south include Buzzcocks, Sham 69, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, The Human League and Boney M.
For full details of the festival (fingers crossed for good weather), and all the acts appearing, check out www.guilfest.co.uk
