Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ok-mary-give-us-the-elevator-pitch-for-your-festival">OK Mary, give us the elevator pitch for your festival!</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1003" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Towersey-festival-2019-video-screengrab.png" alt="" class="wp-image-146382" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Towersey-festival-2019-video-screengrab.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Towersey-festival-2019-video-screengrab-800x535.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Towersey-festival-2019-video-screengrab-1000x669.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Towersey-festival-2019-video-screengrab-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Towersey-festival-2019-video-screengrab-785x525.png 785w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>It’s hard to put it in a nutshell! We&#8217;re a family friendly festival with experience at the heart of it, so while we’ve got our headliners and some people will set themselves up at the main stage for the duration, there&#8217;s so much more. People come to meet up with extended family &#8211; it might be four generations coming together. They make new friends, meet up with old friends who they only see at Towersey (and may have met at Towersey!) and they&#8217;ll try something new. It&#8217;s all wrapped up in a friendly, safe, accepting environment, so if people are on their own and nervous about coming to a festival we&#8217;ll scoop them up and find something they will be interested in.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-a-family-business-how-does-that-work">It&#8217;s a family business &#8211; how does that work?</h2>



<p>My grandad started the festival in his back garden the Sixties to raise money for new loos in the village hall. Then it just grew. Dad took over and now my brother, sister and I are in charge. We’re driven to keep going with the festival by feedback from the people who come, many of whom we know really well.&nbsp;What we love about Towersey is that it’s really authentic, people that word a lot but for us it&#8217;s really true.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-s-the-festival-changed-over-years">How&#8217;s the festival changed over years?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105529.911.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-146325" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105529.911.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105529.911-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105529.911-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105529.911-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We did a lot of looking back when we turned 50  &#8211; I mean, we were the first of the kind really, we started before Glastonbury! &#8211; and I’m sure we’ll do the same again for our 60th year next year. </p>



<p>Back in the Sixties my grandad invited his folk music friends to perform but we&#8217;ve gone way beyond our roots as a folk festival. From pop to Americana to roots and blues &#8211; &#8216;any stream but mainstream&#8217; is how we describe things. Alongside the variety of music, what we’re now doing is lots more engaging and interactive experiences, giving our audience something new to discover whether that’s a band, a new skill or a hobby.&nbsp;</p>



<p>And last year we moved to our new site at Claydon, in North Buckinghamshire, which is just beautiful &#8211; our regulars said it felt right for the event, which is so important to us.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What&#8217;s new for this year? </h2>



<p>We have a really superb glamping village of traditional bell tents all kitted out, plus a reception and communal area &#8211; so basically they&#8217;ll be kicking back in luxury.&nbsp;We&#8217;ve also launched The Fellowship, a sort of membership club for our loyal fans, many of whom have been with us for decades, coming first in the Sixties as youngsters, then bringing children and grandchildren. There are various levels starting at £100 a year which bring benefits like a special reception, early access, get togethers, a chance to make suggestions, and of course swag, but really to give people the opportunity to support the future of the festival.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-are-you-faring-with-the-competition-so-many-festivals-these-days-right">How are you faring with the competition &#8211; so many festivals these days, right?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105719.021.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-146327" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105719.021.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105719.021-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105719.021-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105719.021-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s tough &#8211; our budget is limited and we don’t want to bring the experience down while maintaining a reasonable ticket price. But we do find that once people come they want to come again. People sign off their summer with Towersey. Once we’ve got them, we’ve got them. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105656.151.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-146326" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105656.151.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105656.151-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105656.151-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105656.151-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We&#8217;ve had families move across from bigger events like Latitude because from a practical level, Towersey is easy. We’re small &#8211; a compact site, really nice toilets and showers (so important) and a dedicated children’s festival. You can get back to your tent in ten minutes so you don’t have to stress out by packing up for the day when you leave your tent. You can’t count on the English weather and all our venues (main stage, smaller stage, bar stage and workshop and creative family spaces) are undercover, which is something our audience really likes. You can still be outside on the festival green with a picnic and drink, but as the evening goes on or if it&#8217;s raining, people move undercover.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-it-like-behind-the-scenes">What’s it like behind the scenes?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105346.478.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-146332" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105346.478.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105346.478-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105346.478-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105346.478-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It’s pretty crazy! Joe, our sister Kath and I have experienced every part of the festival from litter picking to checking tickets, cleaning toilets and running the box office. We’ve even been on stage. Every year we’re blown away by how hard people work, from the 20 or 30 key staff to the 200 volunteers who make every part of the festival work.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-give-us-some-goss">Give us some goss</h2>



<p>Some headline artists inevitably come in on their tour bus, hang in their dressing rooms, do their show and then get straight back on the bus, but many get so taken with the atmosphere that, when they’ve finished their set, they come down into the crowd, stock up on real ale and join in. Hot House Flowers hung around for ages and mingled with their fans and the Welsh Male Voice Choir last year came down to the audience and carried on with their set while we changed over for the next act! It was a really magical moment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-you-looking-forward-to-experiencing-this-year">What are you looking forward to experiencing this year?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105604.091.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-146328" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105604.091.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105604.091-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105604.091-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105604.091-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Nickel Creek in action</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105631.678.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-146329" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105631.678.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105631.678-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105631.678-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T105631.678-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Molotov Jukebox</figcaption></figure>



<p> On a personal level, I’m massively looking forward to Nickel Creek, who are an original Americana band &#8211; they&#8217;re just incredible and there&#8217;s the fabulous Molotov Jukebox as well.&nbsp;We’ve always had circus acts with a big skills area for kids, but this year we have a couple of really outstanding circus-based acts that will be the talk of the town. In terms of workshops, we’re famous for our lantern making. People go in and out of the tent all week and create, then we have a big lantern parade at the end and it’s absolutely beautiful. We&#8217;ve also got axe-throwing this year &#8211; that&#8217;s giving me slightly sleepless nights at the moment but I want to see it! </p>



<p>I&#8217;ll be working my way through the 25 different caterers too &#8211; the food and drink is really strong at Towersey, plus we&#8217;re working with a new bar provider this year for superb real ale and cider and a broader non alcoholic offering too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-are-sibling-relationships-at-the-end-of-the-festival">How are sibling relationships at the end of the festival? </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T112702.073.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-146335" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T112702.073.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T112702.073-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T112702.073-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T112702.073-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Joe, Kath &amp; Mary getting into the festival spirit</figcaption></figure>



<p>We have a really strong bond. We&#8217;ll be camping together so we have our first cup of tea together in the morning and last drink at the end of the day &#8211; we’ll be around three weeks in a caravan. Of course there are hundreds of stories over the years, but last year’s finale will always stay in our memories. Joe, Kath and I were all exhausted and pulled some of the sofas out of the dressing rooms and all lay there with our young families backstage drifting off to sleep to the sound of ‘<em>Hey Jude</em>’ (it’s tradition that our finale band have to play <em>Hey Jude</em> in their own style). It was the perfect end. I&#8217;m also excited to have The Proclaimers again. When they last played Towersey, my daughter was 11 days old and strapped to a carrier on me. Now she’s five &#8211; it&#8217;ll be emotional.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em><strong>Sounds up your street? Bag a ticket now for <a href="http://www.towerseyfestival.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Towersey Festival</a>,&nbsp;Fri 25 &#8211; Mon 28 Aug</strong>.</em></p>



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What’s so special about Towersey Festival?

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