Worcester Music Festival

The festival is absolutely FREE to attend with literally hundreds of gigs to choose from from some of the best, new and emerging artists in the UK.

Worcester Music Festival – one of the UK’s fastest growing metropolitan live music events – is a three-day celebration of original music which returns for the ninth consecutive year from September 16-18, 2016.

Taking place in around multiple venues across the city, from pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes to historic buildings, record shops, on the streets and even in breweries, the festival is absolutely FREE to attend with literally hundreds of gigs to choose from from some of the best, new and emerging artists in the UK.

We also put on scores of free music-related workshops, where adults and children can indulge in everything from drum clinics and Q&As with industry experts to learning an instrument or singing in a pop choir. Amateur photographers of any age or experience can also enter the annual photography competition.

A non-profit making event, the whole thing is organised by local volunteers, who along with the artists performing for free, pull together to promote live music around the city and raise money for charity.

THE MUSIC

Unbeknownst to many, we have a thriving, live music scene in Worcester, which is why the festival was born in the first place, the opportunity for music lovers to discover new, local talent without paying a penny.

Showcasing every genre imaginable – from rock, indie, metal, punk, psychedelic, pop and DJs to folk, jazz, blues, reggae, hip hop, country and acoustic acts – the festival has evolved to become a beacon for some of the best new and underground acts from across the UK, who all play for free to expand their fan base.

Bands that have played our festival include Peace, God Damn, Das Sexy Clap, Jon Gomm, Xova, Virgil and the Accelerators, Jason Bowld, This Wicked Tongue, Nigel Clark, Guthrie Govan, The Stiff Joints, No Cars and many, many more.

With almost 1,000 bands and artists applying for a slot at this year’s festival (around 250 slots are available over the three days), the 2015 line-up includes a host of exciting, new acts, including reggae dub band The Barefoot Bandit from Exeter, hardcore outfit Constructor from south Wales, rockerbilly group The Superkings from Nottingham, and Leicester-based Collosloth with their eclectic soundscapes.

THE CHARITY

We also pride ourselves on raising money for charity. In the past eight years, the festival has raised over £40,000 via collections, raffles and wristband sales, supported by the thousands of music fans who attend.

The charity we will be supporting for the 2016 music festival is Acorns Children’s Hospice.

If you spot our team of fancy dress-clad charity collectors, please dig deep.

THE FANS

Tempted to check the festival out? Here’s what our fans say…

“Worcester Music Festival is live music by the people, for the people. With incredible line-ups and amazing events in venues scattered around this historic city, it should be in every music festival-goer’s diary.”
– Jon Gomm

“If you want to live, eat and breathe all kinds of music over a single weekend, Worcester Music Festival is for you. It’s a one-of-a-kind festival experience, an incredible ecosphere of live music.”
– Jason Bowld (Pitchshifter, PWEI, Killing Joke, Axewound, Bill Bailey)

“This is a great festival with an amazing amount of artists giving up their time for free. It’s a chance to spend the weekend exploring a wide range of musical creativity, while taking in the many splendours of the city.”
– Nigel Clark (Dodgy)

THE CITY

Just 17 miles south of Birmingham, Worcester is easy to reach by public transport and if you want to stay over, has plenty of accommodation to suit every budget, including a new campsite on the outskirts of the city.

Worcester also boasts a host of fantastic restaurants and watering holes, and this year, festival-goers can quench their thirst with a Worcester Music Festival real ale and cider from two local breweries.

GET ORGANISED

With so much to choose from, you can keep track of what you want to see and where performances clash with the festival’s online personal guide tool. Get your own itinerary started today!
Stay up-to-date with this year’s line-up on Facebook and at @worcsmusicfest on Twitter.

Disabled Facilities: Please see website for details on specific venues www.worcestermusicfestival.co.uk