What’s in store at Bath Festival’s finale
Get your dancing shoes on and be prepared to party as The Bath Festival’s long-awaited Finale Weekend is set to go ahead later this year
BATH Festivals and music promoters Orchard Live have announced the re-scheduled Bath Festival: Finale on the weekend of August 7&8. Following its postponement due to Covid-19 last summer, this two-day music festival features Mcfly, Scouting for Girls, Billy Ocean and UB40 who will be joined on the main stage by a great line-up that includes Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Seth Lakeman.
Returning stronger than ever after the success in 2020 of their first studio album in 10 years, Mcfly will top the bill on Saturday, August 7, bringing their own brand of festival happiness to Bath. They will be supported by Scouting For Girls, and joined by Irish singer-songwriter Orla Gartland and British/american rising star George Pelham on the bill.
Also playing on Saturday are rising stars and solo artists Lauran Hibberd and Josh Gray, as well as London four-piece Novacub. The winner of last year’s Bath Introduces competition, Dessie Magee, will be performing with his band too, and Bath band Luna Lake will be appearing on the Big Top stage.
On Sunday, August 8, reggae band UB40 will headline, featuring Ali Campbell and Astro. Ahead of them will be British soul singer Billy Ocean, who will be performing some of his classics such as Caribbean Queen and When the Going Gets Tough (the Tough Get Going).
Acclaimed West Country folk musician Seth Lakeman - who last played the Finale Weekend in 2018 - will be performing a high energy set, while the Sunday sessions will also include a set from English singer-songwriter and actress Twinnie.
Adding to the party atmosphere on the Sunday will be the BLOCO B samba troupe from Bristol. These musicians and dancers reguarly take part in Bristol’s St Paul’s Carnival, Notting Hill Carnival and even the legendary Rio Carnival.
New York’s trio Fun Lovin’ Criminals, featuring Bath-based frontman Huey Morgan, will bring their unique style and sense of fun to Bath Rec this year. Also on the line-up are solo artists Hannah Grace and Casey Lowry, Wiltshire-based indie trio Port Erin, and the grunge influenced Life in Mono, who are fronted by Sarah Clayton.
Huey Morgan, of the Fun Lovin’ Criminals, who is also a BBC Radio 6 Music presenter, says he is looking forward to playing to the Bath crowd: “My new hometown gets my first new hometown show! Can’t wait.”
The West Country music scene will be well represented with some of the finest local acts appearing on the Main Stage and in the Big Top - a combination of local talent and rising stars from across the UK.
Bath Festivals’ chief executive Ian Stockley, said: “With all UK adults having been offered the vaccine by the end of July, Bath Festivals is delighted to welcome you all back to Bath Rec for a true celebration with this weekend of live music. Our award-winning Finale Weekend has become a popular fixture on the Bath social calendar and promises to be another real treat for music fans of all ages.”
The two-day Finale Weekend is the ideal introduction to the festival experience for the whole family, and you can buy tickets for one day or for the whole weekend.
This beautiful green field site lies in the heart of historic Bath, just a 10-minute walk from the
My new hometown gets my first new hometown show! Can’t wait.
Huey Morgan of Fun Lovin’ Criminals
train and bus stations, and park and ride bus stops.
The Finale Weekend has a dedicated Kids Zone with equipment to play on and a team of professional entertainers to keep even the tiniest children happy. Older kids will enjoy the chance to check out the rising stars playing in the Big Top, enjoy the acts on the City Stage or interact with the street theatre performers on site – there are loads of opportunities for selfies!
When it comes to food, everyone attending will be spoilt for choice with a range of artisan food and drink catering for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans. There will also be professionally run bars offering a range of drinks, including beer and cider - plus you’re never far from a decent cup of coffee.
There will also be a covered seating area where you can meet up with friends and enjoy your festival food, so with the coloured banners fluttering in the breeze, the musicians ready to play and stalls selling all kinds of enticing food - it looks set to be a geat weekend.
The Finale Weekend is supported by sponsors Bath Ales, Novia, Bath BID and Agriframes.
■ Tickets can be bought from www.thebathfestival.org.uk/ finale-weekend or call the box office on 01225 463362. Tickets purchased for the original date last year will be transferred over to the new date.