Described by the Guardian as “One of the most bravely adventurous festivals in the folk and world music calendar”, Towersey Festival, the UK’s longest-running independent festival, organised by generations of the same family, has announced that The Divine Comedy, The Proclaimers, Frank Turner, Thea Gilmore, Nickel Creek, Molotov Jukebox, Flook, The Young Un’s and Rusty Shackle will head up a perfect mix of entertainment for the friendly four day event.
In a booking coup, Towersey have secured Grammy award winning Americana Blue Grass band Nickel Creek to make one of only two festival appearances in the UK this Summer. The Platinum selling Trio played live together for three very special sell out shows in January for the first time in 20 years. Hailing from California, Nashville favourites Nickel Creek are mandolinist Chris Thile, violinist Sara Watkins and guitarist Sean Watkins. Together a sum of more than their staggering parts, the trio revolutionized bluegrass and folk in the early 2000s and ushered in a new era of what we now recognize as Americana music. Poetic and plain-spoken, musically the band hit the sweet spot between ethereal and relatable.
Towersey Festival has many fantastic activities to enjoy for all the family Including; Dance, Celidah, Circus & Theatre Shows, Storytelling, Outdoor Games, History & Ghost Walks, Fun Run, Forest School, Campfires, Craft Making and Music Jams, with excellent camping facilities, flushing loos, low carbon footprint and a no litter/ community clean up initiative.
Located in the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside, Claydon Estate has over 170 acres of stunning parkland and historic Walled Gardens with a classic example of a fine English country house, which is owned and managed by The National Trust. The privately owned estate and gardens, were initially laid out in the 18th century for the 2nd Earl Verney by James Sanderson, a pupil of Capability Brown. Successive generations have made their mark on them, with beautiful herbaceous borders, unique features, and stunning views over the estate’s parkland.
Carrying the baton for the spirit of independence, earlier this year the festival won the Access All Areas Legacy award, from a shortlist of worthy contemporaries, including Victorious & Black Deer.
Festival organiser Joe Heap has this to say of the Towersey Legacy: “I know how hard it is to put anything on in these times. 59 years ago my Grandad got a few mates together who believed in community and in culture and they started a festival. One of the first…..even before Glastonbury! Now the oldest independent festival in the UK, it still has those core values at its heart. Togetherness. sharing knowledge and learning skills and most importantly community. I and the very small team (just three of us) are the current custodians. Before us my grandad and then my dad looked after this important event for over 40 years. I’ve been working in the festival for over 25 years and now my sisters, my kids and the wider family are all involved. BUT…. It’s those that come that truly own this event. Audience, artists, volunteers, concessions….They pass the torch from generation to generation. It’s what they take into the world from Towersey. Community, Culture, sharing and learning. Growth as human beings that make our legacy so powerful”
