Four days, four venues for second year of SpringFest in Woodbridge

Bank holiday weekend sees the return of a music festival to Woodbridge – with more than 50 acts performing at four venues.

The second SpringFest takes place from May 26-29 – a year after its launch by Marco Spina and Ian Matthews, who set out to promote the talents of both emerging and established musicians from Suffolk and beyond.

Mr Matthews said: “We aim to create a friendly and welcoming platform for new acts, as well as the more accomplished musicians.

“Our decision to host the event in local venues is an important element of SpringFest. The extra footfall it brings to businesses around town gives them a real boost and they’re all so supportive of what we’re doing.

“This year, The Crown and the Kings Head are joining us as new venues, along with The Table and The Angel from last year.”

Friday’s headliners at the Kings Head, Reno & Rome, were spotted at Ipswich Music Day 2016 by SpringFest organisers, who were ‘blown away’ by their high-energy, eighties pop-inspired sound.

Mr Spina, organiser and DJ at the event, said: “It’s a great day out for the whole family.

“We ease into the afternoon with solo acts and the more gentle bands. By early evening we have the larger bands playing, and as the sun sets, the instruments are replaced by turntables for the DJ sessions. Every day ends with the hugely popular and always requested silent disco.”

The silent discos involve festival-goers wearing wireless headphones and selecting which of three DJs they want to hear.

This year’s DJs include Christian B and Lavvy Levan, also known as Friday Fox Recording, joining Goldalia and Tom Couchman on Saturday at the Angel, in Theatre Street.

SpringFest is hoping to join forces with charitable organisations in the future.

Mr Matthews said: “We’d love to partner with a charity, to promote their work. We are currently looking into which charity will be the best fit with our events, but we are aiming for a music-related mental health charity.

“Our wish is that this will allow direct musical involvement with our festival – going well beyond simple promotion. If they’re local, that will be even better.”

All four days of SpringFest are free. The line-up can be found at spring-fest.co.uk, with more news at facebook.com/springfestsuffolk. Send partner charity suggestions to hellomyfestival@gmail.com.