Wokingham Festival returns this weekend with a whole host of local bands, and acts from further afield, taking to the stage to entertain the masses.
The Sunday night headliners Rila’s Edge have grown from two local lads with an interest in music, through years of playing, study and rehearsal, into a band that’s ready to go on to the next level. In the last couple of years, they’ve developed from playing in the Redan in town, to a sell‐out crowd of hundreds in the Gig House, to Festivals such as FiFest and Readipop.
Last year, they headlined the Wokingham Music Club stage, and absolutely rocked the packed audience there.
After their impressive performances, Wokingham Festival said that ‘they were so good that this year we invited them back to headline the Trademark Windows main stage.’
Advance Price ticket sales end on Thursday, August 22. The family‐friendly festival which champions quality music and showcases local bands is back again this August Bank Holiday weekend. There is a big selection of food, beer, and stalls to browse, plus entertainment for the younger ones.
There are over 40 artists appearing across the weekend.As always, there is a great breadth of musical genres covered, with bands both old and new.
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.
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. 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, expressed his excitement about Wokingham Festival’s evolving reputation, stating: “It’s been incredible to witness the festival’s transformation in recent years. We’ve upgraded the second stage to accommodate local independent bands which has brought a fresh energy to the event, and the Monday prog‐rock themed day has drawn in exceptionally talented acts— performances you’d never expect to see in a field at Cantley Park!”
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
