In a summer solstice weekend simply bursting with festival opportunities, why not join some of our FFA reviewers at Uttoxeter's Acoustic Festival of Britain. Held at the racecourse ground, this long established event is the highlight of the festival year for many and has a number of unique selling points;

… Firstly, all the artists perform their varied portfolio's of work in an 'acoustic' format. If you've never experienced the Acoustic Fest before then think of MTV’s 'Unplugged’ sessions and you will not go far wrong. The performances are, of course amplified, but the music is presented in a stripped down acoustic format without all the whistles and bells and elaborate production techniques of many album versions and mainstream live performances. The effect is wonderful as it provides a rare opportunity to hear your favourite artists present their work in the format that it was originally written. You will be amazed at the different perspective this simplicity of presentation offers. There will be a pure clarity and layers of nuance that you may simply have missed in the final (over?) produced commercial versions.

… Secondly, the Acoustic Festival offers, well, a simply more refined festival experience for the more discerning festival goer. The toilet and showers are more up-market garden party fodder than festival, and rarely these days – you can camp near your car. That’s not the half of it. The whole event is more grown up and civilised. With a knowledgeable audience to match – Acoustic Fest offers a true festival experience but with some of the more ‘rougher edges’ removed. Uttoxeter racecourse provides a great home for the bash with its flat ground and prepared roads and simply adds to the overall quality that this festival offers.

With the likes of Big Country, Paul Carrack, Show of Hands, and Merry Hell performing over the weekend, and some great sessions in the bar and around the site, the 2015 event is shaping up to be a cracker.

Line-up:

FRIDAY:

OPEN AIR STAGE

Big Country, The Outcast Band, Sons of Clogger, The Beautiful Sound

REAL ALE TENT:

Rodney Branigan, Tess of the Circle, Acoustica, Strumpit, JessicaRhodes, Jon Hart

BIG TOP MARQUEE:

Funke & The 2 Tone Baby, Morgan Bryan & The Art, Harriet!, Sheer Torture

SATURDAY:

OPEN AIR STAGE:

Paul Carrack, Hunter & The Bear, The Demon Barbers XL, Moulettes, Fred’s House

REAL ALE TENT:

Hazel O’Connor, Nell Bryden, Terry & Gerry, Dan Owen, Wildfire Folk, David Youngs.

BIG TOP MARQUEE:

Swan Vesta Social Club, King Sized Slim, Vix & Her MsChiefs, The Mersey Belles, Adrian Nation.

SUNDAY:

OPEN AIR STAGE:

Show of Hands, From The Jam, Merry Hell, Honey Ryder, Quill,

REAL ALE TENT:

FOS Brothers, Mark Radcliffe & Galleon Blast, Jo Harman & Co., Radio Mary, Big Fibbers

BIG TOP MARQUEE:

Steve Bonham, Kizzy Crawford , Darren Poyzer, The Cheescutters

... Plus Workshops and Performances in the Sessions Beer Tent and Poetry & The Spoken Word throughout the weekend - the festival is overflowing with goodies.

Acoustic Festival of Britain 2015

Uttoxeter Racecourse, Wood Lane, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 8BD

Dates: 19th - 21st Jun 2015

Price: Tickets for adults £85.00 + £20 Weekend Camping (arrive on Thursday for an extra fiver!)

Article by Barrie Dimond