CORONAVIRUS UPDATE- STAFFS FEST - 2020 POSTPONED UNTIL 2021

Dear All

Following a further review by myself, Matt Sargeant and the core team at STAFFS FEST it is with much regret, sadness and a few tears that I have to announce that the 4th STAFFS FEST will no longer be taking place this year and will be postponed until 2021 (Friday 28th to 30th May Spring Bank Holiday).

We have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation over the past few weeks and have explored all options. It has become increasingly evident that it would be both irresponsible and unfeasible to continue with the event this year, during these uncertain and challenging times.

This difficult decision has not been taken lightly, the safety and wellbeing of our visitors, exhibitors, traders and staff is always our primary concern. Its seems from the news that Boris’ announcement next Sunday will not be as extensive to allow mass gatherings within our time frame for the festival, which we all guessed but hoped would be different. We offer our sincere apologies to all involved and I can assure you that we at STAFFS FEST are equally as disheartened and disappointed. We have asked all the bands booked for 2020 to play in 2021 and we plan to have the biggest and best STAFFS FEST to date next year.

For those of you who have already booked tickets and/or camping in advance for the 2020 event, these bookings will remain valid for the re-scheduled event in 2021, this will happen automatically. Alternatively, should you prefer a refund for the 2020 show, please contact us at admin@staffsfest.co.uk quoting your Order Number and we will arrange this as soon as possible.

We will conduct a virtual event over the planned weekend for this year so please tune into Facebook page STAFFS FEST to see some of the excellent bands due to play this year and now playing in 2021 We were so looking forward to welcoming you all to this year’s show but sadly it is not meant to be. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you all for your continued support of the STAFFS FEST and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2021. Keep safe everyone and look after yourselves.

Kind regards Lorraine Conkey Festival Director, Staffs Fest Ltd

Voted Best Staffordshire Music Festival 2019 and in 2020 by What's On Readers and Special Recognition Award for Festival of the Year 2019 by The Mark (Pub news and live music guide). STAFFS FEST is a popular annual music festival that has already made its mark on the UK music scene in the West Midlands attracting local, regional and national musicians and audiences from all over the UK.The festival which celebrates its fourth year in 2020 is held at Lower Drayton Farm, Penkridge near Stafford ST19 5RE Junction 13 on the M6

Initially using single large performance stage to host all acts, the festival has expanded to four huge marquees hosting a multitude of genres of music, Rock, Britpop, Glam Rock, Pop, Folk, World Music, Gospel and Soul. The Lack of Commitments, Used Blues, Hammered, Hairy Eyeball and The Sicknotes to name but a few bands (full line up listed on other page) . Northern Soul All Dayer DJs playing vinyl only on Saturday from 3pm in theMillie Bea Marquee with Jam Session hosted by local musician Paul Brindley (The Loveless)

The festival is not one dimensional, in addition to the wide ranging live music on offer, there will be displays and workshops from local community groups including Bombay Jam, Balliamo Belly Dancers, Dance Nuvo, Bhangra Blaze and Stafford Salsa.

La Maison du Vin Marquee

There will be workshops throughout the morning into the afternoon ranging from yoga and Chi Gong to musical workshops even a kids disco. Into the evening the Marquee will house some great talent with music from around the world

Staffs Fest also incorporates the Beats & Feats Marquee hosting a mixture of Reggae, Ska, Gospel and 2 Tone. Musical Youth and The Beat Goes Bang will be headlining