Towersey Festival are to go ahead with a smaller one-off event this year from 27-30 August which they’re calling “Pint-Sized Towersey”. Festival Director, Joe Heap, said that they’re approach for 2021 is “cautiously optimistic”, adding “We ‘ve developed a Towersey that has the potential to be socially distanced if required, is predominantly outside and has a massively reduced audience in order to have all the space that many are going to want.”
They said that although it will be smaller it promises to have all of the impeccable production and artistic values that this 55-year-old event was built on…. and it will have “Lots of Space and be very safe” according to the Towersey team.
The fabulous line is sure to appeal to many and includes This is The Kit who play the Royal Albert Hall later this year, after a headline set at Towersey. They’re joined on the Saturday night bill by folk-rock legends Steeleye Span for their first appearance at the event.
Festival favourites, Show of Hands headline Friday night and Sunday sees Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys co-headline with Scottish singer-songwriter Eddi Reader, known for her stunning voice, wonderful stage presence and for her work as frontwoman of Fairground Attraction.
But Towersey is known for always breaking new ground and programming artists that push the boundaries and this year sees the likes of Ferris and Sylvester who were described by the Guardian as “Alt Simon & Garfunkel”; Authentic American Blues with The Cinelli Brothers or the bluesy, gutsy “Janis Joplin esq” Amy Montgomery all play for the first time.
With plenty of Folk and Roots music favourites like Edward II, John Spiers (Bellowhead) & Jackie Oates, Merry Hell and instrumental wizard Tim Edey, there is more than enough top-class music to fill the 4 days and 2 open-air stages.
And with the festival’s history of delivering real learning and sharing experiences, you can expect a wall-to-wall workshop programme of learning, playing, singing and discovering including a festival Choir, Ukulele, Drama classes, Circus Skills, Knitting, Pizza Making, Storytelling, Yoga and much much more.
To top it all off there will be a nightly Cinema screening, Music Jams and Sessions, Forest Skills – all in the stunning setting of Claydon Estate, Buckingham.
“We are planning a brilliant weekend of fun that can run completely socially distanced if we need to. That’s what will make the difference in this unusual year. Loads of space, extra, regularly cleaned toilets (even more than usual), huge camping pitches and everything outdoors in the open air”. Joe Heap, Festival Director.
Pint-Sized Towersey
27 – 30th August 2021
Claydon Estate, Buckingham, MK18 2EY