GuilFest 2024 - June 29 and 30
The Stranglers headline on Saturday, June 29
What do legendary rock band The Stranglers and Sam Ryder have in common?
They’re going to be headlining the much anticipated return of GuilFest at Stoke Park, Guildford on June 29 and 30 – just down the A303 – under two hours away. The Stranglers take to the stage on Saturday night while Sam Ryder is on Sunday.
The Stranglers, who had already been performing for 15 years when Ryder was born in 1989, will be celebrating their 50th anniversary back in their hometown of Guildford where it all began in 1974. A gig of a lifetime.
GuilFest last took place a decade ago. In fact back in 2006 my wife and I were privileged to see a really memorable performance from A-Ha there. The festival was a regular fixture for 22 years.
The line-up is:
Celebrity Gogglebox stars Shaun Ryder (Black Grape) and Bez. From the halcyon days of the world famous Haçienda they’ll be joined by legendary bassist Peter Hook, the driving force behind Joy Division, New Order and the unforgettable song Blue Monday.
From The Jam features genius bass player Bruce Foxton. The Jam had 18 consecutive UK top 40 hits including four number one songs Going Underground, Start!, Town Called Malice and Beat Surrender.
Supergroup Boyzlife features Boyzone’s Keith Duffy and Westlife’s Brian McFadden. They have collectively sold over 55 million records around the world, racking up a combined whopping 17 Number One singles in the UK.
Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer is a British parodist who performs "chap hop" — hip hop delivered in a received pronunciation accent. Mr B raps or "rhymes" about good manners, dressing with style and dignity, sophisticated society, pipe smoking and cricket while playing the banjolele.
Nouvelle Vague, The Blockheads, The Skints, Elvana, Eddie and the Hotrods and Urban Cookie Collective.
The Bootleg Beatles, Kiki Dee and Dutty Moonshine Big Band.
Activities and entertainment aimed at the younger GuilFest goer will include theatre productions of famous tales, clowns, fire shows, acrobats, circus skills, kids’ rides, art and music workshops culminating in a fancy dress parade on Sunday.
The GuilFest Literary Tent (curated by Fiery Bird Live Music Venue) will see journalist Lee Gale (NME/Loaded/GQ) hosting interviews. Spoken word and poetry artists are booked for the weekend. There will be comedy at The Jokers!
More information: www.guilfest.co.uk
