Football manager turned rock star Gareth Ainsworth is just one of the acts lined up to grace the two stages at Wokingham Festival 2024.
The one‐time Premier League player, who had a long career with clubs such as Wimbledon, Cardiff City, Wycombe Wanderers and QPR, and then
manager of Wycombe Wanderers and QPR, lives locally and will be rocking the Trademark Windows main stage on
Sunday, August 25, with his band The Cold Blooded Hearts, playing a mix of original songs and covers of rock standards. His band is comprised of Lee Van Sargeant on guitars, Sam Brice on drums, Ron Campbell on bass, Giselle on keyboards and Gareth on vocals.
The family‐friendly festival which champions quality music and showcases local bands is back again this August Bank Holiday weekend. There is a selection of food, beer, and stalls to browse, plus entertainment for the younger ones.
There are over 40 artists appearing across the weekend, with talent from across the borough and much further afield.
As always, there is a breadth of musical genres covered, with bands both old and new.
Tickets are £24 for one day or £60 for the weekend for adults, £7 and £17 for under 18s (under 8s go free with an adult) saving on the gate prices.
The real ale bar, run by Twyford Beer Festival, will stock a wide selection of specialist craft beers and ciders from local and national breweries, and there will also be a variety of cocktails, lagers and cider from Tin and Glass plus other drinks for adults and children.
There will be food ranging across the globe from burgers to Peruvian delicacies to Hong Kong street food to Mediterranean snacks, plus a variety of ice creams, sorbets and ice cream rolls, and, of course, teas, coffees and cakes.
There will also be Circus Skills entertainment for the children, plus face painting and games, and stalls with your festival essentials and the opportunity to support good causes.
There are two stages which alternate. The headliners this year on the main Trademark Windows stage are the psychedelic rock band Ozric Tentacles, local indie rockers Rila’s Edge, stepping up after a storming set headlining the second stage last year, and top‐quality tribute band Totally Blondie.
Other acts include That Joe Payne (with full band), The Room, The Cold Blooded Hearts (fronted by former QPR player and manager, Gareth Ainsworth), prog‐folk pagan rockers Spriggan Mist, Trim, and Country Chicks, and many more.
On the Wokingham Music Club stage, the bill‐toppers are Sonic Whip from the Netherlands, festival favourites and foot‐stomping Celtic psy‐folk purveyors Flutatious, and indie star and TikTok sensation Áine Deane.
The second stage has grown in the last few years, and the atmosphere in there, especially later in the evening.
Just some of the other acts featuring over the weekend are Sour Kix, Grace Pounds, Mackenzie, San Demas, and Storm Deva.
The final live act of the day in the second stage marquee is followed by a silent disco on the Saturday and Sunday nights.
Dean Nelson, Festival Director said: “It’s been great to see the reputation of the Festival grow as we have upgraded the second stage to accomodate full bands and promote exciting local original artists. We have also added a third, prog‐rock themed, day which has also been a great success.”
Advance Weekend and Day Tickets for Wokingham Festival have already gone on sale, and may be purchased via the web site at www.wokinghamfestival.co.uk
For more information and to stay updated on Wokingham Festival, follow their social media at www.facebook.com/wokinghamfestival www.instagram.com/wokinghamfestival www.twitter.com/ wokinghamfest
