It’s been 18 months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and well over 2 years since festivals were a thing. We’ve been given a “freedom date” of mid-July, and so Valley Fest are going full steam ahead to give us a weekend of music, incredible food, and festival feelings. Set in the fields overlooking the gorgeous Chew Valley Lake near Bristol, this small but mighty boutique festival is bringing us Sophie Ellis Bextor, Texas and Deacon Blue as the headliners, along with some delicious-sounding sit down Feasts over the weekend for something a bit different!
There are still a few tickets available at the time of publishing this post, so snap them up and come along to one of the first freedom festivals, that’s still small and spread out enough to feel safe!
So, what 5 things am I most looking forward to at Valley Fest 2021?
1. Sophie Ellis-Bextor and her Kitchen Disco!
At the start of the pandemic, pop queen Sophie Ellis-Bextor took to Instagram Live to give us her Kitchen Disco! She would sing us some absolute classic tunes with her fabulous voice from her kitchen, all whilst wearing the most sparkly of outfits. Everyone could relate to her being confined to the house during lockdown with her 5 kids and finding a fun outlet, and the chaos on the livestreams was so entertaining to watch. Sophie is bringing her pop disco magic to the Valley Fest main stage and I cannot wait! I’m even bringing my Rosa Bloom sequin jumpsuit to dance around in! Just think about how crazy the crowd will go when she drops Murder on the Dancefloor, and Groovejet!
2. Oh My God! It’s The Church
You all know by now that I’m a huge Missionary… for the Revered Michael Alabama Jackson and his righteous band. These guys will own any stage and absolutely knock your socks off. Expect amazing covers sung by the Hail Marys, some brilliant original tracks, lots of laughing and praising Sexy Jesus. Honestly I know this sounds a bit mad but I can PROMISE YOU, you will love them. This will be the first time I see them live in almost 2 years and I am so, so ready!
3. Emperical Snackbar Cantina Feast
There are four different sit-down Feasts happening over the Valley Fest weekend (as well as lots of amazing food trucks) including one that specifically features local produce from within 5 miles of the festival, but the one I’m most excited about is of course the Mexican feast from Emperical!
Expect finger-licking tacos, chiccarones, sharing platters, all paired with four delicious cans or cocktails from the Empirical range.
Doesn’t that sound dreamy? Fresh guacamole with chips is possibly my favourite starter, and then some stuffed tacos afterwards? Perfection.
4. Sub Zero B2B Audiomission Ft Jakes
If there’s one thing I’ve missed about festivals above all else, it’s dirty deep drum n bass in a field! DnB legend and Bristol club scene staple MC Jakes will be alongside Sub Zero playing his usual dance floor smashers, B2B Audiomission – the Bristol Jungle-master. This is going to be the perfect Saturday night rave for all those wanting to stay up a bit late to dance.
5. Death By Shakespeare – Hurly Burly Theatre Company
Valley Fest also has some awesome comedy, theatre and workshops on the bill! This one has definitely caught my eye from the Hurly Burly Theatre Company – Death by Shakespeare is a whirlwind 30 minute production of Shakespeare’s finest death scenes, all amalgamated into one crazy extravaganza. It’s been on biannually at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival since 2013 and received rave reviews, so I am ready! It sounds like madness and I’m here for it!
And I’m actually going to be naughty and add one more to this list because I’m really looking forward to:
6. The gorgeous morning view over Chew Valley Lake
Because just look at this… 😍
