Guilfest is almost upon us once again, happening from Friday July 10 to Sunday July 12 at Stoke Park in Guildford.
As those of us who are regulars at this event have come to expect, it’s another varied line up, mixing the legendary, forgotten, emerging and local to Guildford and the surrounding area.
These things are always partly down to personal taste, but it’s hard to argue against 2009 having the strongest Main Stage headliner trio in the five years we at R13 have been showing our faces at Stoke Park.
Friday night sees the mighty
Motorhead top the bill, with the Stranglers and
Ginger in support. There’s also the intriguing prospect of ‘Tragedy: All Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees’.
Saturday night shapes up to be something special, with
Brian Wilson coming to Guilfest. Supporting the Beach Boys legend will be
The Charlatans who, despite dropping under the radar at the hyped end of the music media, are still without a doubt one of British music’s best festival bands with plenty of mainstream hits to qualify them as headliners in their own right. They certainly have far more material at their disposal than Sunday night headliners, and festival closing act
Happy Mondays. That said, Sean Ryder and co can usually be found somewhere on the festival circuit each summer and are masters at giving a festival crowd exactly what they want. The Wailers are supporting them and are sure to be one of the weekend’s highlights.
While Brian Wilson will draw the crowds to the Main Stage on Saturday night, dance music lovers are in for a treat in the Funky Ends Tent as
Pendulum play a DJ set. We’re spoilt for choice on the middle night, with blues guitarist
Joe Bonamassa headlineing the Ents 24 Stage.
Whoever were down to headline the Rock Sound Cave while Motorhead play the Main Stage might appear to have their work cut out, but
You Me At Six have built a loyal fanbase and will surely pull the numbers on the Friday night. Making their return to Guilfest after impressing us in 2007 to close the Rock Sound Cave are
King Blues.
Others to look out for over the weekend in the Rock Sound Cave are
The Ghost of a Thousand, Hexes and Devil Sold His Soul.
Guilfest has a history of showcasing hundreds of local acts, some of whom seem to be back for more year after year.
Laura Colegate and
Where’s Billy? Are among those to have come to our attention first at this festival in previous years.
Others playing across the weekend include
Athlete,
lGoldie Lookin’ Chain,
Lightning Seeds and, one of our favourites from last year
Wobbly Squadron.
Head to the
Guilfest website for a full line up, further info on what else can be found over the three days and to buy tickets.
Click here for the R13 Guilfest archive.