MarshFest 2024 will be on Saturday 14th September 2024, from 12:30pm until 10:30pm. Keep scrolling to find out more and don’t forget to keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram site for more details.
Entertainment
MarshFest promises fun for all the family! Here’s a flavour of what entertainment is on offer this year – we’re adding to the list all the time:
Lucy Lost It
We are absolutely delighted to welcome Lucy Lost It back to MarshFest! She’s entertained us brilliantly for a few years now. Lucy delights crowds with magic shows, circus skills, and balloon modelling, she’s very funny and she always has a rapt audience.
Graffarty
Graffiti specialist Graffarty is run by Steven Fitzpatrick, a professional Graffiti Artist based in Bristol who has been painting graffiti on and off since the late 1980s.
After a successful outing last time, he’s bringing his show back on the road to MarshFest, so see his amazing demos and spray paint your own graffiti name under his supervision to take home and enjoy for a small cost.
Makery Kate
Award-winning crafter extraordinaire Makery Kate has provided her brilliantly popular hands-on craft materials, offering family-friendly projects to complete on the day.
Zumba with Jess
She was so popular – she’s back again! And this time for everyone to enjoy – we’re delighted to have Zumba with Jess on our main stage! Get up, get moving – it’s perfect for adults and kids. Jess says: “It’s a great workout, both cardio and conditioning and anyone can participate, no matter how old, young , fit or unfit. You do not need dancing experience, just the ability to move and shake what your mumma gave you 
”.
Games Area
Test your strength with our tug of war. Why not pit yourself against your neighbours and see who triumphs? Or try your hand at our child-friendly archery (no arrows!) as well as classic sports day favourites.
Face Painting
Don’t miss our brilliant face painters who will transform children into a creatures of their choice, from unicorns to superheroes.
Hay Bales
Time and again we’re told that it’s the simple, rural fun of our hay bale stack that keeps the kids entertained for hours. Please note that parents and carers are responsible for their children on the hay bales.
For more information on the day, why not visit our handy FAQs.
Music line-up
As well as new acts on our New Music Showcase, we’ve got some new acts and fabulous favourites coming to MarshFest 2024. Here’s who you can expect to see on the day.
Matt Owens & The Delusional Vanity Project
After a 5 year Marshfest hiatus, we’re super excited to welcome Matt back for 2024. Since 2019 Matt has released two albums and brings his full band along to deliver thier unique blend of Americana – and who knows, maybe the odd Noah and the Whale number, a band that that Matt was a founding member of. Matt’s music is available now on Spotify
Fancy Biscuits
A high-calibre, high-energy funk and soul band, bringing a huge sound and party vibes. Putting their unique twist on a trunk-full of funk, soul and disco classics, this 6-piece class act are guaranteed crowd-pleasers, with floor-fillers from the likes of Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and James Brown and tones inspired by modern-day funk heroes Scary Pockets and Vulfpeck.Find out more here…
Antalya
After a thumping set last year, Antalya, a hugely talented band led by James Warren, is back for another amazing set of blues-inspired brilliance.
Johnny Gibbons
After a stupendous DJ set last year, Johnny “Bad Ass” Gibbons is back with a killer sun-set session to get us all dancing.
Henry Ray & El Toro
Making its debut this year, Henry Ray, backed by the awesome El Toro, is a heart and soul band featuring three of the most experienced musicians in the South West. The trio play the best in rock anthems and funky mashups guaranteeing an amazing experience.
Rubix Groove
Cooking up an eighties’ storm – we’re delighted to introduce Rubix Groove to Marshfest 2024! Songs from a huge range of 1980s acts such as Duran Duran, Madonna, A-Ha, Spandau Ballet and Madness will guarantee a fun filled set that will keep Marshfest rocking.. Now where are those leg warmers…?
Food and Drink
Offering delicious local food and drink is very important to the MarshFest team, so here’s who will feed you! New this year – Pim’s Thai Street Food – joining the likes of Pizza Folk and Chai Walla.
Chai Walla
Chai Walla will once again be bringing delicious street food-inspired Indian dishes to MarshFest.
Pim’s Thai Street Food
New this year – Pim’s Thai Street Food will offer authentic and delicious Thai food to MarshFesters.
Pizza Folk
Marshfield’s Jenna and her team regularly feed the festival! Pizza Folk make delicious wood-fired, Neopolitan pizzas fresh to order
Marshfield Ice Cream
Famous the country over, Marshfield Ice Cream will treat MarshFesters to scoops of the creamiest ice cream in tantalising flavours.
Really Awesome Coffee
For anyone who needs a caffeine fix, there’s a range of coffees, teas and hot drinks (and more) onsite from the Really Awesome Coffee van. Also offering gluten-free food.
New Music Showcase
This year, in partnership with El Toro Music, we’re excited to announce our new Music Showcase.
During the afternoon of MarshFest, our six finalists will complete a 40 min set on the new El Toro Music Stage . Each act will present a set of primarily original material with some exciting takes on covers of other artists.
And our six New Music Showcase acts have now been announced! After going through over 30 entrants we have an incredible line up for you – we’re so excited to share that these bands will be playing on our El Toro Stage:
Sober Sundays
Sober Sundays have had a devoted following since their inception at Bath Spa University in 2021, taking inspiration from the likes of King Krule and Easy Life. They strive to create a textured soundscape, filled with introspective lyrics. Their release ‘More Than Yourself’ follows the pursuit of self-identity and adulthood, featuring an infectious melody combined with impressive musical prowess. You can check out their Instagram here.
Fortitude!
Fortitude! are a 4-piece rock band, known for their anthemic songs and passionate sound. Their EP “Once in a Lifetime” was a fan favourite, taking each and every listener on a vivid and heart-pumping journey. You can find their Facebook here.
The Pressure
The Pressure consists of Hayden James on Guitar, Charlie Peck on Drums and Robert Mulundika on Bass. The trio formed in January 2023 in Bath, taking influence from classic punk groups as well as reggae and ska greats. Their song ‘Question Everything’ was a success, and they became known around Bath for their thick bass lines, punchy drums and shoutable choruses! Check them out here.
Tom Seth Johnson
Tom Seth Johnson is an up-and-coming singer songwriter from Oxford, hitting over 41,000 streams in his 2023 Spotify Wrapped. He combines a modern sound with vintage rock and roll influences, with ‘Break Over Love’ known for its indie uplifting melody. You can find him on Instagram here.
Butane Skies
Butane Skies is a 4-piece alt-rock band based in Frome, describing themselves as ‘a little bit emo, a little bit not’. With Ash on Vox and Guitar, Amaya on Violin and Piano, Mia on Bass, and Alex on Drums, the band brings an exciting fresh twist to traditional rock and roll. They performed at Take The Stage 2024, and you can check out their Instagram here.
The Sunnies
The Sunnies are an indie rock band from Wiltshire , combining soulful lyrics with high tempos. Jazzy basslines come from Kieran Cranton, heavy metal drums from Joe Thomas, with vibrant guitar and vocals from Jarret Brown and Lucas Sprake. Their single ‘Chasing Dreams’ was praised for its emotional yet energetic vibe, promising big things for the future of The Sunnies! Find them on Instagram here.
About MarshFest
Back in 2018, we were a group of village dads (and one mum) with a dream.
We wanted to bring the community together for a day, to celebrate some of our excellent local bands, fantastic food and drink, and party in the way only Marshfield can. All proceeds would go to local charities.
Meticulous planning followed, mostly over ales in the local, and, with a lot of support from brilliant bands, businesses and an army of willing volunteers, we made it happen. MarshFest first rocked in September 2018.
Our first MarshFest was a huge success and MarshFest 2019 was even bigger and better. We were back, post-pandemic, in 2021 with a re-worked experience: MarshFest Recut, and then a full MarshFest in 2022. So far, as well as making amazing memories, we’ve raised over £27,000 for good causes.
And now, on to the biggest, best, most innovative MarshFest yet. We’ve got new faces helping, new entertainment, local food and for the first year, a full line up of sponsors. Bring it on.
Thank you for your support and roll on MarshFest!
Guy, James, Jess, Justin and Hugh.
Partners and Sponsors
We couldn’t put on MarshFest each time without the support of local organisations, and in 2024 we’re grateful to have a line up of official sponsors alongside our brilliant partners and supporters. Please do have a look at their websites and a big thank you to each and every one of them!
Our Official Sponsors
MAIN SPONSOR
MJ Church is a civil engineering and earthworks contractor operating across England, undertaking projects ranging from £100k to £60m in value for both public and private clients across a wide range of sectors.
MJ Church is also a waste management business operating across the South West, offering a comprehensive range of services to clients in the commercial and domestic sectors and is our main MarshFest sponsor.
Davis Groundworks is a family-run business, established in 1985. It provides groundworks solutions for residential, commercial and government clients. Over the past 30 years it has successfully undertaken a diverse range of projects for both public and private sector clients. These include the building of underlying infrastructure for police stations, schools, industrial units, houses and utilities. Davis Groundworks is kindly sponsoring our entertainment area.
Davis Meade has operated from Marshfield for the past 40+ years, and is the main selling agent for the local area. The company’s biggest strength is the genuinely warm, friendly and professional approach that it offers all clients. If you want professional help and advice on all aspects of moving home please contact them or call into their office in Marshfield.
F.G. Bond & Son is an independent haulage company established in 1934, with garage services. A family-run business providing a comprehensive range of haulage and motoring services, FG Bond & Son serves businesses throughout the South West of England, and individuals locally in its beautiful hometown of Marshfield and the surrounding area.
R W Knight & Son is a country showroom stocking wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves, plus flues and accessories. From 1974 when Dick Knight started the business, R W Knight & Son has grown into one of the leading stove suppliers in the industry supplying over 42,000 stoves and fires. R W Knight & Son operates out of the family farm, parts of which date back to the 16th century.
El Toro Music is an award-winning local independent music store. As well as providing the best customer experience possible with the best products they can find, they also provide vocal, guitar, bass and live performance coaching as well as instrument and pro audio service and repair.
Marshfield Farm is a family home and farm known nationwide for creating deliciously indulgent ice cream to make the whole family happy – even the dog! Three generations of the family have been working together to make ice cream for over 35 years. Tending to farmland in the South West, the family uses regenerative, sustainable farming methods. Every drop of milk in its multi-award-winning ice cream can be traced right back to the fields they call home.
Wyatt & Sons Fencing is an experienced commercial fencing contractors, offering a range of fencing solutions from temporary site hoarding to bespoke metal fencing and fencing for domestic properties. Established in 1989, Wyatt & Sons Fencing covers Chippenham, Bath, Bristol, Swindon and the whole of the South West. This team of experts supplies and installs fencing solutions for a wide range of industrial, commercial and domestic clients including the M.O.D., highway agencies and local authorities.
Brighter Places is a Bristol-based housing association, managing over 3,300 homes with more than 8,000 residents, and with many new projects in the pipeline. Established in 2021 through the merger of United Communities and Solon South West, Brighter Places went on to launch a new phase in a proud history of social housing in Bristol and surrounding areas.
Winsley White Building Contractors & Developers Ltd is an award-winning family-run building contractor and developer, based in the South West. A long established building firm, Winsley White was opened by friends Roger Winsley and Paul White in 1989. Having built over 325 homes in and around their home county of Somerset, Winsley White Ltd is now spearheaded by Matt Winsley and Sam Winsley.
Our Partners and Supporters
A massive thanks to Jim Creed and his team at Powerline who will be supplying power for MarshFest. Without Jim’s help the festival simply could not go ahead, so we are ever grateful for his contributions and support. Powerline is a generator hire and temporary power specialist, providing solutions for live events, outside broadcasts, and festivals since launch in 1999.
The Cricket Club is key resource within the community. As well as a being a thriving competitive club in the league, the MCC support a massive initiative to bring youth cricket to the village and surrounding area. The Club will shortly be embarking on a project to rebuild the ageing pavilion. Once completed it will be a much needed great live venue to support local music and arts in the area.
Party and hospitality designers and suppliers extraordinaire, LALEH Phd is providing all of MarshFest’s fantastic festival flags and beautiful bunting. That’s just a taste of the amazing props they can supply. Have a look at their range online.
Our Army of Volunteers
MarshFest is a not-for-profit organisation – every last penny of money earned goes back to our good causes, and we’re always looking at ways to save even more. We rely heavily on the help and support that is offered by our wonderful volunteers. We simply couldn’t do what we do without them.
If you would like to be part of the MarshFest buzz, we’d love to have your help to make it happen, whether that be scanning tickets on the door, setting up, or ripping down the site. Please do get in touch if you have an hour or more to spare on or around 11th September. Just drop us a line through our contact page https://marshfest.co.uk/contact thanks so much!
Contact MarshFest
Whether you’d like to get involved and would like to hear more about the event, you can email us on info@marshfest.co.uk, contact the MarshFest team via Facebook or Instagram or fill out the form below.