Music lovers heading to the new Thorpefest Music Festival by the Sea could find themselves swapping the sights of the Suffolk coast for some of the finest Spanish ones thanks to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
A seven-night Spanish autumn break for two is one of many raffle prizes up for grabs at the new event, which replaces Music by the Sea – an event held outside the White Lion Hotel on Aldeburgh’s seafront since 2012. Thorpefest is being hosted by the nearby Thorpeness Country Club on Saturday, July 2.
Peter Osborne, operations director at organisers TA Hotel Collection, is looking forward to welcoming some 3,000 people to enjoy some great music performed by national acts, emerging local artists, tribute bands and favourites from previous years’ events in Aldeburgh.
He said: “The privately owned Thorpeness Country Club is the perfect venue with both indoor and outdoor space including a large lawned area overlooking the sea. People will think we’re just moving it for other reasons, but it’s a completely new event. We’ve had four successful years in Aldeburgh and it’s been really well received.
“It’s been free, relying on donations, on sponsorship by people in the business world and no event can sustain that in this environment. It’s £1 a band, still community focused and aiding local charities.”
Thorpefest features nearly a dozen bands and artists performing live from noon until 10pm, with parking from 10am and gates open from 11am. Headline acts include Coldplace, regarded as the world’s leading Coldplay tribute; and Take That tribute Rule the World. Others include Vicky Jackson as Amy Winehouse, Pink and Lady Gaga plus the Everly Everly duo Roger and Colin.
The programme kicks off with Suffolk singer-songwriter Reb Capper, followed by the Ed Zachary Band with music from the 1950s and 1960s all the way up to recent chart hits. Other local acts include the Broadside Boys folk band and Raindance playing their own original songs and covers from the likes of U2, Stereophonics, Duran Duran, Walk the Moon, David Bowie, Muse and more.
Older and Wiser will bring back memories with songs from The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Ottis Reading and Bob Marley. A collection of cult classics will also be performed by JS and the Lockerbillies.
Town 102 and The Beach radio stations will be on stage presenting throughout the event, which ends with a firework finale. Adnams beer tents and food will be provided by the Thorpeness Dolphin Inn and White Lion Hotel.
Mr Osborne admits a tinge of sadness the event is moving, albeit not very far.
“We’ve had more people say ‘why is it not happening’ than ‘parking’s been horrendous last weekend because of that concert’. It’s a real locals event and I think we can still create that and I think it will help put Thorpeness on the map. It (the previous event) is a victim of its own success but we decided it was time for a change, a new adventure and Thorpeness is an ideal location.”
Festival-goers will receive a wristband so they can come and go as the please throughout the day; taking time out for a picnic on the beach or a row on the Meare if they like.
Thorpefest is sponsored by the TA Hotel Collection, Suffolk Secrets, East of England Co-op, Fuller Davies, Shorthose Russell and Direct Seafoods with drinks partners Carlsberg and Aspall Cyder.
It is hoped some £10,000 will be raised for local charities including the Kids Trust and Help an East Coast Child.
Fred. Olsen is also offering a 10% discount over and above offers in the market place for any cruise with the company booked on the day. This booking time will be extended for raffle entrants to October 31.
Thorpefest attendees will also be able to get a 5% discount on bookings until October 31 on production of their ticket.
It will donate an additional 5% to Town 102 Kids Trust and The Beach’s Help an East Coast Child for all relevant cruise bookings made before October 31, terms and conditions apply.
Raffle tickets cost £10 and are available from the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines stall at Thorpefest or in advance from the White Lion or Brudenell hotels in Aldeburgh with proceeds to the local charities.
Mr Osborne said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for one person to win a wonderful holiday for two. I would like to thank Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for their very generous prize and support for the very first Thorpefest and local charities.”
Tickets are priced at £12 per person - £1 per band - or £10 for Thorpeness Country Club members, £8 for under 12s and free for under fives. Visit ww.thorpefest.co.uk for more details including directions and parking and follow @Thorpefest2016 on Twitter
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