insideKENT Magazine Issue 27 - June 2014 | Page 54
EVENTS
enjoy a summer of music...cont.
Leeds Castle Open Air Classical Concert
Castle Concerts 2014 // 16-19 July
Four nights of live music packed into the historic
Rochester Castle Gardens, alongside the
shimmering banks of the River Medway, makes
these concerts some of the best live music you
will experience in Kent this summer. Headliners
this year include UB40, Level 42, Shane Filan
(formerly from the successful boy band, Westlife),
plus an evening of classical symphonies at the
Castle Proms from the Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra. This historical setting and these superb
acts, once again mix together to create something
unmissable. Tickets are still available and start
from just £35.
Rochester Castle, Rochester ME1 1SW
www.thecastleconcerts.co.uk
Dover Music Festival 2014
// 18-20 July
This summer, Dover will play host to a great
three-day music festival taking place at various
venues across the town, including the Town Hall,
Market Square, Crabble Corn Mill, Pencester
Gardens, St Mary’s Hall, and numerous local
pubs. Filling the air with their sweet sounds, local
artists – as well as guests – include China Crisis,
The Blues Band, Brendan Power, Sally Iron
Monger, Ron Trueman-Border, and more. This
event also incorporates a smaller blues festival,
which will take place at Bluebirds. Tickets start
from just £5.
Various locations, Dover CT16
www.dovermusicfestival.co.uk
Create Festival // 27 July
For the last 18 years, Victoria Park in Ashford
has staged free live music – from local to legendary
acts – and this year is set to be better than ever.
Toploader, Nizlopi, and The Intermission Project
join up with a whole host of superb acts across
Sir Wiliard White,
Sevenoaks Summer Festival
not one, but four live music stages. The event
will also showcase live comedy, spoken-word
performances, and street entertainers, all for the
ever-loyal audience, which last year saw over
13,000 in attendance. A family favourite, and one
of the most anticipated events of the summer,
Ashford’s Create Festival is sure to delight the
county for another year.
Victoria Park, Ashford TN23 5HD
www.createfestival.co.uk
Lounge on the Farm // 2 August
Taking place for the last time at Merton Farm,
Canterbury, in 2014, this Kent-grown festival has
entertained crowds for over nine years and this
year, they want to throw the biggest anniversary
bash ever. Acts announced include the incredible
Fun Lovin’ Criminals, CoCo and the Butterfields,
and the ultra-talented, The Subways. And for
those wishing to party throughout the night, Wow
Tents will be on-hand to provide cosy bell tent
accommodation for lucky campers – but of
course, you’re more than welcome to take your
own too. A £55 ticket promises you a full day of
live music, a feel-good atmosphere, food,
entertainment, and so much more. One thing is
for sure, Lounge on the Farm is the place to be
this summer!
Merton Lane South, Off Nackington Lane,
Canterbury CT4 7BA
www.loungeonthefarm.co.uk
Create Festival
Add to this live music from Elvis Fontenot and
The Sugar Bees, Peter Knight's Gigspanner, The
Hot Rats, The Wheel Of The Year, The Keelers,
Bella Hardy and The Midnight Watch, The Willows,
and many more, and you’ve got yourself a folk
festival like no other. Weeklong tickets start from
£193, while day tickets are just £32. But they're
selling fast for this popular Kent festival, so get
yours quick!
Various locations, Broadstairs CT10
www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk
The Social Festival // 13 September
Showcasing the very best in dance music,
Maidstone's Social Festival will welcome the likes
of Route 94, Gorgon City and Carl Cox through
its gates later this year. Relatively young, the
festival is only in its second year, but that certainly
didn't stop it rocking Mote Park in September
2013. In addition to its fabulous line-up and top
artists gracing the decks, this boutique festival
champions the notion that local is best, by selling
Kentish produce throughout the site, and
incorporating local businesses, universities in the
design and planning of the event. A definite
grower with the young audiences, The Social
Festival will return in its bid to bring a taste of
Ibiza to the county this summer, and you're
invited.
Mote Park, Mote Avenue,
Maidstone ME15 7SU
www.thesocialfestival.com
Broadstairs Folk Week // 8-15 August
Taking place in various venues across the town,
and in the Concert Marquee, visitors can enjoy
a whole host of exciting events, from concerts
and smaller workshops, to dance performances.
Craft lovers will enjoy the huge fair selling a variety
of ceramics, clothing, musical instruments,
paintings, jewellery and gifts in Victoria Gardens.
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For further details, plus a full list of music
festivals and other events taking place around
the county this summer, go to
www.visitkent.co.uk.