As you know for six years the Big Session, created by the Oysterband, ran very successfully at De Montfort Hall in Leicester, supported by the City Council.  The Festival went from great idea, via an album and live concert tour to the Festival we all came to enjoy and love.

After the 2010 event the current economic climate hit the City Council and made the Festival virtually impossible to run without the support of the venue and funding.  So, for 2011, as you will already know, Oysterband have moved to programme a stage at Beautiful Days Festival, 19-21 August, Escot Park, Ottery St Mary, Devon http://bit.ly/iyoG61 and we hope some of you will be able to get down there to support the Big Session Stage.

Now for the future........ may we introduce you to Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent, South Derbyshire; easy access, just off the A38, beautiful country park surroundings, along side the river Trent; flat ground for camping and stages and retaining the midsummer dates that have become the tradition of Big Session.  15- 17 June 2012 we hope you will be able to join us?

Who are we?
We are Oysterband and Mrs Casey Music.  The former you know well, the later is responsible for Towersey Village Festival for the last 35 years, previously ran Sidmouth International Festival for 18 years and well known in music festival circles.  Working together we will give you a Big Session that we think you will come to love and remember.  One main stage, one second stage, one bar stage, a real ale festival, international food, side show attractions, workshops, great gigs, dancing space and the the atmosphere you have become used to at Big Session.

The Artist line-up is currently being developed, Oysterband playing a major role in the choosing and lanning of the programme.  We believe this will be the re-launch of a Festival you will just want to be at.  Amongst friends, economical prices, good facilities, good company, great Festival.  We will be in touch again soon.  For now would you just tell your friends and we look forward to seeing you next summer.

PS - Meanwhile, if you can’t make it to Beautiful Days and you still have that Festival bug for 2011, try Towersey Village Festival, August Bank Holiday weekend http://bit.ly/iyoG61 .  You would be very welcome.