Events

WOMAD, WOMAD, WOMAD, how we do love thee, let us count the ways….

Published

2 years ago

July 30, 2024

admin

So, if you missed out on WOMAD 2024, I can only say one thing: you’re going to need a time machine. We love WOMAD. This year’s festival was, as always, a cosmic explosion of music, culture, and all things fabulous. Held in the lush fields of Charlton Park, it was a vibrant mishmash of global grooves, tantalising tastes, and enough good vibes to make a rainbow jealous.

First things first, the music. Oh, the music! Imagine every corner of the globe squeezing into

your ears and giving them a big, joyous hug. Alison Gold-frapp was a header but here are

three standout acts that made the festival It, for us:

Tinariwen: Their electrifying set of desert blues transported us straight to the Sahara, and honestly, I’m still trying to shake the sand out of my shoes.
Orchestra Baobab: These legends from Senegal brought a fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms that had everyone moving. Their timeless grooves were nothing short of magical.
Anoushka Shankar: Delivered a spellbinding performance, blending traditional

Indian sounds with contemporary flair. It was a journey of pure musical bliss.

Kumbia Boruka, a French band of Mexican origin, were based around a steady drum pulse and accordion riffs, answered by trumpet and trombone, the music the slow train inevitability of Latin American cumbia. B

Foodies, rejoice! WOMAD didn’t just feed our souls but our stomachs too. The World of Food tent was a culinary carnival – we’re talking mouth-watering street food from every corner of the planet. Here are four food places that had us coming back for more:

Jerk Joint: The jerk chicken wrap here was so good it made me consider proposing to the chef. Spicy, tangy, and absolutely divine.
Lush Creperie every year we go for these crepes, such good value and always super delicious, I recommend the savoury ones fully of gorgeous cheese and ham.
Mumbai Fiery chaat and aromatic curries that transported us straight to the streets of Mumbai. The paneer tikka was a highlight.
Archies Toasties Shop: 10/10 from my daughter for their chips. She’s the international critic of the century on chips around the world and we brought another generous boxful

Now, let’s talk vibes. The festival site was decked out in a riot of colours, with art installations that made you feel like you’d tumbled into a Salvador Dalí painting. And the people? Pure gold. Hippies, hipsters, families, and free spirits – everyone was on the same wavelength, just there to soak up the magic and spread the love.

The children’s area was a mini-utopia of crafts and laughter, proving that WOMAD really is a family affair. Here are some of the precise activities that had the little ones (and sometimes the adults) thoroughly entertained:

Circus Skills Workshop: From juggling to tightrope walking, kids got to unleash their inner acrobat.
Creative Crafts Corner: An area brimming with art supplies where kids could paint, glue, and create to their heart’s content.
Drumming Circles: Little ones learned basic rhythms and beats, creating a joyful cacophony that echoed across the fields.
Storytelling Sessions: Enchanting tales from around the world were brought to life by charismatic storytellers, capturing imaginations young and old.

In none British fashion, the weather was crazily gorgeous but you can’t order that. Slivers of sunshine shining through the flags and big wheel the whole time…

In a nutshell, WOMAD 2024 was an unforgettable fiesta of culture, community, and unbridled joy. If you haven’t been, mark your calendars for next year. And if you have, well, see you there – same time, same place, more fabulousness guaranteed!

Events

Soultasia Brings a Night of Soul & Disco to Reading This August

Published

7 days ago

July 30, 2026

admin

Soul and disco fans are in for a treat as Soultasia makes its Reading debut with a spectacular open-air concert at Prospect Park on Friday 14 August 2026.

Running from 5:00pm to 10:30pm, the event promises an evening packed with timeless anthems and legendary performers, as one of the UK’s fastest-growing soul and disco concert brands brings its acclaimed live show to Berkshire.

The star-studded line-up features some of the biggest names in classic soul, funk and disco, including The Real Thing, Gwen Dickey – the iconic voice of Rose Royce – Odyssey, Loose Ends, and Phil Fearon & Galaxy. The evening will be hosted by Ian Reading, with DJ Darren Bull keeping the party going throughout the event.

Since launching in 2021, Soultasia has become one of the UK’s leading touring soul and disco festivals, attracting thousands of music lovers with its nostalgic celebrations of classic hits and legendary artists. The brand now stages events across the country, combining iconic live performances with a vibrant festival atmosphere.

Held in the picturesque surroundings of Prospect Park, the Reading edition is expected to draw fans from across the South East for an unforgettable summer evening of live entertainment. Tickets start from around £23 plus booking fees, with VIP Golden Circle upgrades also available for those wanting front-of-stage access and exclusive facilities.

Tickets are still available, but with strong demand expected, organisers are encouraging fans to book early to avoid disappointment.

With feel-good classics, singalong favourites and some of soul music’s most celebrated performers all on one stage, Soultasia Reading is shaping up to be one of the area’s standout live music events of the summer.

Soultasia Reading takes place on Friday 14 August 2026 at Prospect Park, Reading, from 5:00pm until 10:30pm.

Events

Just Ten Days to Go Until Stowaway’s 5th Birthday Celebration!

Published

2 weeks ago

July 21, 2026

admin

Stowaway Festival - main stage at night 2 (c) Alastair Brookes 2024

There’s just two weeks to go now until one of the UK’s fastest growing music festivals Stowaway Festival celebrates its fifth birthday. An independent, family-friendly festival, Stowaway is happening over the weekend of July 31st – August 2nd in idyllic surroundings near Stowe, north Buckinghamshire. Weekend tickets are still available starting from just £249, with adult day tickets costing £90 – purchase here.

On Friday July 30th, the incredible Brooklyn trio Say She She will top the bill, preceded by a stacked list of dance music luminaries including Eris Drew b2b Gallegos, Dr Banana, Move D, Alex Kassian, and DJ sets from Gabriels and Ishmael Ensemble. Legendary drum‘n’bass label Hospital Records will celebrate their 30th birthday with a takeover of the Shake Off stage with sets from London Elektricity, Lens, DJ Zinc and Makoto.

Saturday August 1st will see drum‘n’bass legend Skream headline Stowaway on a day which includes sets from Ewen McVicar, Calibre, Scientist, Francois K, 1-800 Girls, Nicky Blackmarket plus live performances from Emma-Jean Thackray and Joshua Idehen.

Sunday August 2nd will see the mighty Nightmares on Wax (DJ Set) & Kokoroko bring Stowaway to a close, preceded by Hot 8 Brass Band, WheelUP, Rohan Rakhit, and the hilarious Loco Cricket, which happens on the green on Sunday afternoon and always draws a huge crowd.

As well as its eclectic musical mix, Stowaway offers wild swimming, canoeing & paddle boarding, wellness & relaxation, kid’s activities (all included in the ticket price), and a lakeside woodland spa. The artisan food & drink available on site is carefully curated, with healthy and not-so-healthy eating options and no-and-low drinks as well as craft beers and cocktails.

Founded in 2022 by Duncan Wheeler, who grew up on Blackpit Farm, Stowaway is 100% independently owned and has no corporate sponsors. The festival’s inclusive mix of eclectic dance music with family friendly vibes is proving ever more popular – in 2025 they increased their audience by over 20%, bucking the trend in a very difficult market for the festival sector.

Created by friends, for friends, Stowaway is a secret world for you to discover.

“What makes Stowaway unique isn’t just their music or food, it’s the vibe. Everyone is there to have fun, smile, and make memories” ★★★★★ (Fab Festivals)

“Not only does Stowaway have a musical bill which is the envy of many bigger festivals, but it has clung to its roots as an intimate, laid-back, uncommercial family-friendly event” (Yahoo News UK)

For a taste of what to expect watch the Stowaway 2025 Aftermovie

Events

Reading Festival Unveils Biggest Arena Overhaul in Its History

Published

3 weeks ago

July 14, 2026

admin

Pepsi MAX presents Reading and Leeds Festival have announced major new plans for the on-site festival experience at both shows this summer, with a completely revamped stage layout that marks the biggest staging and arena overhaul in the festival’s 37 year history. This year’s Reading Festival is now SOLD OUT with only remaining Sunday Day Tickets available now at https://www.readingfestival.com/ with final Leeds Festival tickets available at https://www.leedsfestival.com/.

Synonymous with unforgettable weekends and always looking ahead to pioneer the next chapter in modern culture, this years’ Reading and Leeds Festival will see new stages with their own new identities offering an experience never seen before. These include:

The Grid

The home of the festival’s main stage, The Grid is where iconic headline moments happen. The greatest place to watch live music for the whole of summer, it’s a crowning platform that welcomes the biggest artists on the planet and those leading the way in the here and now. Expect to witness headliners Charli xcx, Fontaines D.C., Dave, Raye, Florence + The Machine and Chase & Status alongside Sombr, Skepta, Role Model, Loyle Carner (Reading only), Blossoms (Leeds only), Declan McKenna, Jade, Maisie Peters, Keo and more soundtracking The Grid this year, with Kasabian making history in Leeds as the first ever Thursday night headliner of Leeds Festival.

The Gallery presented by Budweiser

A brand new stage for 2026, The Gallery is an undercover immersive stage. Innovative LED screen lights and immersive production runs throughout the entire stage. The Gallery is ready to create iconic moments from Josh Baker, Geese, Kneecap, Skye Newman, Kettama and Holly Humberstone amongst others with Gunna, Chris Stussy and Viagra Boys adding to proceedings in Reading whilst Jamie Webster, The K’s and Rose Gray add to the lineup in Leeds. The Warehouse

Previously announced, The Warehouse is a brand-new purpose-built home for dance music with viewing platforms in front and behind the decks, plus huge screen production welcoming special sets from Skepta b2b Prospa, Hybrid Minds, Hedex, Silva Bumpa and Rossi. amongst others. Max Dean goes b2b with Luke Dean as well as Bou, in what will be the first ever custom built, experiential dance stage for Reading and Leeds.

The Ballroom

As the name might suggest, for the first-time ever, Reading and Leeds Festival will have a transformed stage complete with unique chandeliers and draping that plays host to artists who are defining and dominating 2026. Mixing together genre, styles and moments – The Ballroom is primed for legendary breakthrough sets from YT, Florence Road, Niko B, Paris Paloma, Bassvictim, Overpass, SPEED, Frost Children, Bleech 9:3, Westside Cowboy, Chloe Qisha, Radio Free Alice, dexter in the newsagent, WHATMORE and Clementine Douglas amongst others.

The Canopy

New music has been at the core of Reading and Leeds Festival since the very beginning, and in 2026 The Canopy will usher in a new chapter for new music – with a stage dedicated to festival fans’ next favourite artists. It will play host to the likes of Violet Grohl, Villanelle, December 10, Camille Blackman, Kibo, Finessekid, Cruz Beckham and The Breakers and more.

The Yard (Reading Only)

The Yard will bring the industrial edge of alternative club culture. Situated in the open-air with shipping containers The Yard this year will offer something completely different to any other stage at the festival.

These new stages are joined in Leeds Festival by the return of much-loved fan favourites LS23 (lineup for which was revealed last week and sits as one of the most popular late-night destinations) and Piccadilly Circus, with full programming to be revealed in the coming weeks. Leeds Festival sits as the only opportunity for fans to still secure their spot at Reading and Leeds Festival this summer to experience the full weekend’s programming, and ticket buyers are encouraged to purchase now to avoid disappointment.