MantonFest – Saturday 1 July – it’s nearly here again

Less than two weeks to go for MantonFest, Marlborough’s own music festival, which as well as staging some great and ‘good time’ music is a big family friendly party day out in a perfectly shaped field just outside Marlborough in Preshute.

Yes, it’s really a big party – but with good live music keeping everyone entertained and happy. And, as most years the weather forecast at this stage is promising so Saturday 01 July could be another MantonFest to remember.

Apart from regular and very popular bands such as Barrelhouse (now gaining a strong international reputation as a blues band thanks to the airplay and streaming of the tracks on both of their albums to date (Mooncalf Blues and Mainline Voodoo), headlining are ‘The Rolling Stones Now’, the Stones tribute band and rated by many (“Quite simply the best tribute band on planet rock” – The Sun), ‘Badness’, regarded as The Ultimate Tribute Band to Madness & the Ska Era and amongst the leading tributes in the UK.

And, of course, the Swinging Blue Jeans are back. By popular demand. And ‘Hippy Hippy Shake’ will again be resounding across the west of Marlborough on that Saturday afternoon.

A bit different this year, space and time is being given to the next up-and-coming generation of local musicians. At 3pm the main stage is being given over to Students of St Johns. Described as ‘The Three O’clock Development Slot’, featuring ‘Next Generation Talent’, this is MantonFest looking to give a platform to yet more of Marlborough’s stream of young musical talent. Give then a stage and a big audience. And they will thrive and entertain.

Impresario Roger Grant explains: “As part of our commitment to the local community and local young talent (and with the support of both the Town Council and Wiltshire Council) this year we welcome a number of Students from St John’s School, Marlborough to Mantonfest.

“Some will be acting as volunteers to support behind the scenes activities and others are performing on stage during the newly created three o’clock development slot.

“As many regular attendees will know we have given opportunities to many young talented people across the years and for 2023 we have created the ‘Three O’clock Development Slot’ to allow St John’s Student’s to showcase their talents.

“This is a great opportunity for them to have a festival performance experience at a safe and supportive event.”

Roger was keen to tell about MantonFest’s support for one of Marlborough’s most important charities Love Marlborough Kids Meals. Since 2020 Love Marlborough Kids Meals has supported families who find themselves struggling in the Marlborough area. They support over 300 different families in the area who have children under the age of 18 years. MantonFest is now helping this cause.

Tickets: Still available at an ‘Advanced Ticket’ price of £35 (adult) until Sunday (25 June), after that the price goes up by £5. As well as online, tickets can be purchased from Elaine’s Travel (in the High Street) and from Sound Knowledge in Hughenden Yard, or as you come in at the gate.

To find out more, click here to visit the MantonFest website.