Festival organisers Olivia Chapman and Franc Gooding were is a state of some shock when they were informed that their home since 2007 was not available this year but how chuffed were they to end up a mere 20 miles from the original site at West Littleton Down; and it better be good as they’ve signed up for the next three years!

When this Festival was launched, I announced “If you’ve no idea what a boutique festival is, check out the huge Fly-friendly line-up at this independent set up called Bloom” (see HERE preview). Now describing itself as “The Ultimate House Party in a Field”, Bloom Festival returns this August with another almighty explosion of up-and-coming and established acts.

There is an abundance of unique, special features waiting for “Bloomers” to discover - which the organisers are keeping under wraps for now but what they have let out of the bag is a folk tent in addition to the other five stages that will entertain over 6,000 festival-goers. But the best news of all is the tickets are now on sale for a very reasonable £75.00; this must be the best value for money festival tickets available this year!

So what will you be listening to? There are plethora of genres to take your pick from eincluding; electro, house, folk, hip hop, funk, drum ‘n’ bass and anything else you could possibly think of with artists including; Finlay Quaye, Johnny Flynn, James Yuill, Noah and the Whale, Chase & Status, Nathan Fake, Ralph Lawson, Esser, Noah & The Whale, Tom Middleton, The Filthy Dukes, Loose Cannons, The Whip, Part Time Heroes, Altern8, Alessi’s Ark, 20:20 Soundsystem, Chrome Hoof, Chris Hawkins, Clive Henry, Craig Richards, Crazy P, Deepgroove, James Barnsley, Jungle Drummer, Mike Monday, Ralph Lawson, Virus Syndicate, Ten Bears, The Agitator, The Beautiful Word, The Big Fibbers, The Black House, Charlotte Webster, Chase & Status, Dark Captain Light Captain, Deadkids, Domino State, Drums of Death, The Dub Pistols, Heavyfeet + Switch MC, Jack Beats, The Listening Device, Correspondents, Echaskech, Elena Tonra, F.O.E, The Fabulous Lounge swingers, Gabriel Burne, The Gadjo Club, Gigi Brown, Henry Brill, House Of Brothers, Hugh Gavin, Jake Morely, James Moss, Jamie Ley, Jamie N Commons, Josh Weller, Lee Harris meets River Styx, Left Step Band, Lemanis, Lights, Linda Wood, Los Pachucos, Luke Leighfield, Mankala, Mary Spender, Miners Club, My First Tooth and the Rubies, Nicky Swann, Nimmo and the Guantletts, Panic Attract, Pete Roe, Ryan O’Reilly, Sam Beer, Sam Eason, Sarah Dickson, Sean Taylor, Thomas J Speight, The Title Sequence, Vinnie and the Stars, The Walking Birds, Will White, Yearner Babies, You And Me and Yunioshi.

The Folk Stage is run by the guys behind the folk night Communion (especially well-known for Communion Vs Bloom events), The Lizard Lounge -showcasing short films, audio-visual performances, live scores, classical music and performance artists, the Groove Garden -including garden gnomes, garden games and garden tunes, along with the Really Small Tent Full of Big Fun Things which promises to be full of utter randomness.

Last year’s popular stages will also be running in full effect, including The Main Stage, Beats Bubble -drum & bass, breaks, dubstep, booty bass, Lost Disco -house & electro, Soul City -funk, hip hop, soul, disco and the Divine Cabaret Lounge -burlesque, cabaret, bingo and lots of random and saucy fun!

And if all of that doesn’t whet your voracious appetite they’ve even introduced a Workshop Tent including knitting, burlesque strip tease, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, mask making, recyclable art and flamenco classes. Bloom’s Lovebird Matchmaking Service for all those festival goers waiting to find a lovebird at Bloom, a matchmaking service with a difference! The Diary Bloom (a video diary shed!) and Kids Zone -a dedicated area for kids including activities and games and a library corner.

Camping: If you don’t fancy lugging all your own gear to Chepstow, Tangerine Fields are on hand if Festival goers book a ready-pitched and fully equipped tent choosing from 2, 4 and 6 man tents and all the kit you camping kit you could possible need; see www.tangerinefields.co.uk for more information and booking information.

Dates and Times to remember:
Friday 14th August - Site opens 8:00am, Festival gates open at 10:00am
Saturday 15th August - Site opens 8:00am, Festival gates open at 10:00am
Sunday 16th August - Site opens 8:00am, Festival gates open at 10:00am
Monday 17th August - All guests must vacate the site BEFORE 12 Noon.

Venue: Chepstow Racecourse is located in the beautiful Wye Valley and is easily accessible being close to Bristol and Cardiff/M4 and M5 motorways.

Links:
www.bloomfestival.com
www.myspace.com/bloomfestivaluk
www.MySpace.com/FestivalAnnual
“Bloom isn’t just the freshest face on the boutique festival scene; it’s also a welcome one” IDJ
“…a bijou event for the connoisseur” Times Online
“eclectic take on things …. magical boutique vibe” MINISTRY OF SOUND ONLINE
“…the revelling that takes over Bloom Festival appears to have nailed the staple accoutrements of fun” VENUE MAGAZINE
“Bloom was bloomin’ marvellous. Good organisation, groovy crowd, diverse entertainments. Coldcut loved it. We’ll be back.” MATT BLACK - COLDCUT
“Bloom is part of the new breed of boutique festival that has emerged over the last 3 years, bucking the trend of large scale, over crowded and over commercialised outdoor events” OLIVIA CHAPMAN, FESTIVAL ORGANISER