About the Festival

 

Brightlingsea Free Music Festival first ran in 2001 with bands using a lorry trailer as a stage down on the promenade.

 

It has since moved to its current venue at Hurst Green which provides a natural amphitheatre and has proven to be a more safe and secure site. We have also now progressed to using a full stage set up with professional lighting and sound systems. In addition we have a wide variety of food stalls, plus excellent first aid, security, and toilet facilities.

 

The festival is a 2 day event usually running over the first weekend of August each year. We offer a wide spectrum of music ranging from local choirs and shanty bands to punk, rock ’n roll, folk and tribute bands. So we hope to have something to suit everyone’s musical taste.

 

The original ethos of providing a platform for aspiring new and local bands to perform and gain valuable experience has been maintained, and expanded to include more established and renowned artistes, and it is now one of the best loved musical events in Essex with an audience of up to 3,000 on each day.

 

And despite spiralling costs we are proud to boast that we have been able to keep the festival a FREE ENTRY event which means everyone can come and enjoy the music and have a good time regardless of their financial situation.

 

The event is organised and run by local volunteers who receive no remuneration. All monies raised are used to fund the festival with any surplus put aside for next year’s event. So we do rely heavily on donations from sponsors, advertisers, and festival goers for which we are extremely grateful. Please see our Partner’s page if you feel you would like to contribute. 

 

The Team

 

The festival is organised by a committee backed up by a fantastic group of volunteers who help out over the festival weekend. New helpers are always welcome so please get in touch if you fancy getting involved.

 

Our current committee members are 

• Bob Walsh - Chair

• Kate Deyn - Treasurer

• Mary Sanderson - Secretary

• Gary Gilders - Band Booking

• Gary Hill - Production / Compere

• Lyndsey Winton - H&S / Site Manager 

• Donna Carr - Fund Raising / Publicity 

• Andrew Watson - Logistics 

• Simon Robinson - Bar Manager

• Claire Russell - Food and Stalls

• Simon Carr - Electrics

• Angie Evans and Andy Gordon - Volunteer Organising