GuilFest'26
VIDEOS
By Tim Saunders
“The strut is in the mind,” says Heather Small at GuilFest ’26. The hugely charismatic singer – famed for hit after hit with M People – tells the crowds how she was turned away from the Main Stage because they didn’t know who she was! “I am Heather Small,” says the extremely fit 61 year old, who it has to be said, is in excellent shape mentally and physically, which really does give us all hope. Her fabulous singing reminds me of where I was and what I was doing – all those years ago…- as she pours her heart and soul into the microphone. Her performance is absolute perfection. Wow. And on a fabulous summer day with the occasional breeze. Perfect. Heaven. One night in heaven… Gone is the big hair that I recall. What more could you possibly want in life?! Stoke Park is buzzing and full to bursting for this once in a life-time performance, which is over all too soon.
When ABC graces the stage in their New Romantics Savile Row suits, lead singer Martin Fry quips, “Since ABC was formed in Sheffield 40 years ago we have worn Savile Row suits and it’s in the contract.” But the sun gets so hot that he is forced – for the first time ever - to take his jacket off! He still looks smart. I was four when they were on Top of the Pops – I grew up with them and remember The Look of Love soundtrack of the Peugeot 205 advert in the 1980s. As a youngster I didn’t associate it with ABC. Of course now I do. Cue ‘80s wave. Shoot that poison arrow through my heart. This is what GuilFest does so well, bringing together so much talent. Just watching the keyboards, guitarists and singers is so awe inspiring.
“I want to sing and play the guitar,” says Henry (10) who is taking is Grade 1 guitar. Heidi (13) is singing and playing the keyboard in her own concert in a few days’ and GuilFest teaches her about the importance of attitude and personality.
“Groovejet (If this Ain’t Love) from Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s hit in 2000 was the sound of my early 20s. Hearing this again makes me so grateful for the time I have had and the journey I am on - happy and content with life. It seems Sophie has had chance to contemplate too because in one of her later songs she sings about the importance of time and that it’s not about the money you earn. But with an estimated wealth of around £8m, according to Yahoo, she can afford to say that can’t she?!
Rick Parfitt Jnr Band really gets the party started with his fireball energy of covers including Blinding Lights and one of his dad’s Status Quo hits – he died a decade ago now. Rick Jnr recalls his time living in Guildford with fondness and his stage presence is absolutely infectious, no wonder he’s headlining so many festivals around the world.
At last year’s event Monique Togara made a huge impression on our children with her unreleased XO song. In fact Henry made Harriett (15) an XO poster. So they are delighted to watch her and are elated when she sings this one again. Her second year on the Main Stage sees her noticeably grow in confidence and there is a star in the making here. It’s a treat to be able to watch acts in their infancy. She’s already got on Radio 1 Extra.
It’s good to hear that T’Pau is producing lots of new music but for me China in Your Hands is still my favourite.
Another incredibly strong and talented band is The South featuring Alison Wheeler of The Beautiful South. I didn’t realise they made so many hits or that they had been around since 1989. Alison is such a strong singer and for the first time I find myself actually listening to the lyrics, Perfect 10 for instance, all about love in different sizes. Excellent.
This is the second time we have been treated to The Dutty Moonshine Big Band and what great stage presence they have together with their variety of instruments. Such fun. Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) gets the audience going.
What of the aliens and what they think of us? Well, Henge’s alien rock group handles this with much creativity from their costumes – which must be hot on a day like today – down to their unique music. I can relate to where they’re coming from.
Flying in from Hawaii for the occasion Kid Creole & The Coconuts treats us to a mix of disco and Latin American music with a big band feel. Fantastic singers and dancers, choreography give this band a very unique look. I do like lead singer August Darnell’s sharp suit and his massive panama hat, reminiscent of a 1920s gangster.
Fantastic Day by Haircut 100 was my niece Bethan’s favourite track during the 1980s, I recall. Again, I didn’t associate it with Haircut 100 but now that I’ve heard them sing it before my very eyes, I do.
Kula Shaker’s fabulous hit, Hush, still sounds as fresh as ever. I do enjoy this Britpop psychedelic rock band’s high energy performance and the long grey haired keyboard player is superb. They also introduce us to some Bollywood.
Phats & Small’s Turn Around is once again a track of my distant youth. I begin to actually feel younger again – forget botox and mind altering substances, GuilFest is the far more cost effective and enjoyable solution!
Another treat. Rudimental’s Grammy-winning single Feel The Love featuring John Newman is music to our ears.
American singer Tiffany known for I Think We’re Alone Now, is also a cook and will return to GuilFest next year.
We’re delighted to see Batala return. Their distinctive drumming really does reverberate around the site and draws the crowds in. The same with Rock Choir, who market themselves as being a platform for everyone who loves singing, regardless of experience. And there are a great many singers, all wearing their black Rock Choir t-shirts. Their cover of Spaceman is better than the original for me.
This mind bogglingly memorable event finishes with The Proclaimers and Henry jumps onto his stepladder to cheer, clap and wave throughout their performance, which features I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).
There are other stages too if you’ve got the energy. For us, it’s all about relaxing and not doing too much. Aside from the wonderful music there’s the circus tent and associated wonky bicycles, which Henry particularly enjoys riding about while Phats & Small are doing their thing. A variety of traders cater for various needs.
We’re introduced to The Giant Hooded Katydid (Siliquofera grandis) from Papua New Guinea, which looks like a laurel leaf but is in fact a massive harmless insect that lives for two years. There’s even a big wheel and a literary tent featuring poets, some from the actual bands.
Thank you to the organisers, backstage crews and of course the fabulous bands for making GuilFest’26 a truly memorable event that we will be talking about for a long time to come. So much to see and do. You can see why festival goers return year after year. We really can’t wait for 2027.
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