A music festival? In Reading? Aren’t we a week late? Fear not dear reader, we have not lost our tenouos grasp of the concept of time, for rather than the gargantuan monster of Reading Festival, we’re here to introduce you to the rather more intimate (and all the more wonderful for it) Down at The Abbey festival, which is taking place within the ruins of a 900 year old abbey on 11th and 12th September. It’s a magical setting with a line-up to match.
Hosted across two stages, the varied line-up is headed by genre-mashing dancefloor innovators Ibibio Sound Machine, Afrobeat collective Nubiyan Twist, poet, vocalist and songwriter Joshua Idehen and former BBC 6Music artist of the year Antony Szmierek. Other highlights include the post-punk folklore of Joyzine faves The New Eves, the fearless, raw storytelling of Kathryn Joseph and veteran jazz/blues rockers The Wave Pictures. Promoters Heavy Pop have also created opportunities for local artists, including a showcase from XOX, part of the Readipop charity, preserving iconic vintage synths and drum machines as well as hosting Electronic Music Open Mic (EMOM) events.
Aside from the music, the family-friendly event also includes a range of children’s activities, courtesy of Reading Arts charity Jelly and the Disappointing Clown Company, while festivalgoers’ tastebuds will be well served by local independent street food stalls and award winning beers from Siren Craft Brew.
The full line-up and further details about the festival can be found on its official website.
Tickets are available here, with concessionary prices for young adults (18-25) and under 18s, while under 11s go free on Saturday (but still need to register a ticket).
Preview by Paul Maps
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