THE HENLEY Festival drew to an exciting close on Sunday with top acts and fireworks.
More than 27,000 black-tie festivalgoers had attended celebrations throughout the five day event, some arriving in the town via the Thames in one of 200 boats.
This year’s event ran from Tuesday, July 9 to Saturday, July 13 offering festival goers five nights of world-class music, comedy, art, dining and dancing.
Top class entertainment included performances from: Nicole Scherzinger, Dave Stewart’s Eurythmics Songbook, Gladys Knight (who gave her last ever UK show), House Gospel Choir, Ministry of Sound Ibiza Anthems with Ellie Sax, Nigel Kennedy, Sam Ryder, Electro Swing Project, and Jesse Smith.
Rylan and Trevor Nelson had the festival crowd dancing late into the night in the Pure Heaven club, and laughs were provided by comedians Mark Watson, Marcel Lucont, Angela Barnes, Sara Pascoe, Flo & Joan and Dara Ó Briain.
Henley Festival was set up in 1982 as a charity, its mission being to stage a music and arts Festival for the local community.
Last year it launched RISE which gives talented individuals or groups the opportunity to step into the world of performance and creativity both on and behind the stage.
Musicians on the RISE Emerging Talent Stage presented by Westcoast included Alex Francis, Louise Parker, The Multiverse, Immy, Datura Roots Collective, Eden Hunter, The Great Leslie, The Wave Machine and winner of this year’s inaugural Westcoast RISING Star Award KATYA.
The Festival’s pioneering visual arts programme featured four RISE artists including London-based ceramic artist Beatrice Galletley.
The Audi High RISE Gallery welcomed Conrad P Clarke, Robert Ware and Amie Elizabeth Wolo, who designed a bespoke wrap for the all-electric Audi Q8 e-tron displayed at the Festival.
Further artworks were displayed across the banks of the Thames, with fine art, ceramics, sculptures, photography, prints, paintings and light installations by some of the UK’s most renowned creators, including Mark Demsteader, Esther Erlich, and Holly Bendall.
For information, visit: www.henley-festival.co.uk
