Live Review: Guilfest 2014.

by | Aug 10, 2014

Guilfest 2014 (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

Guilfest 2014 (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

It was great to see Guilfest back in 2014, the crowd and performers seemed to be so ready for it, I had never attended but had heard how much fun the Festival was so I was looking forward to be there. As soon as I arrived I felt welcomed and everything was running smoothly and organised. I got my photo pass and knew it would be a special three days running around with my camera photographing great bands.

Guilfest 2014 (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

Guilfest 2014 (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

The weather was like we were in Greece or Spain…blue skies and the sun kept shining for almost the whole weekend The people were so friendly and happy, everyone seemed to be having a fantastic time…I understand why, in the past, it has been voted the best small Family Festival, it certainly felt like a perfect community celebration with people of all ages and background gathering together to enjoy a variety of music and activities. The people of Surrey seem to like Guilfest with over 45,000 coming through the gates over the weekend.

Weekend festival happening in Guilford The Boomtown Rats with Bob Geldoff (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

Weekend festival happening in Guildford.  The Boomtown Rats with Bob Geldoff (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

There were so many stages with a mix of rock, punk and main stream music for everyone around Stoke Park, not only music but a variety of acts, and a extensive choice of eating stalls and shopping for fun stuff as well. On Friday the main stage was set to keep the festival goers entertained bringing The Hoosiers, Doors Alive, Fun Lovin’ Criminals but undoubtedly headliner The Boom Town Rats made the biggest impression with so much energy and Sir Bob Geldorf was a true legend on stage. Finishing the night I went see Sham 69 and they really made it a special occasion in the hot sweaty tent , it felt like the place was on fire.

Weekend festival happening in Guilford (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

Sham 69 @ Guilfest 2014 a weekend festival happening in Guildford (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

Saturday was another hot day and it was by far the the busiest one, the field started packing up early with people dressed up, dancing around, drinking socializing, perfect to see the older generation and the kids having a good time. The main stage there was a fantastic line up, so varied and full of great performers starting with Loyd Grosman with his band The New Forbidden , what a surprise for me, all I knew was about his recipes and pasta jars, but he rocked hard with a guitar as well. The top act of the night Kool And The Gang didn’t disappoint and had enough hits to get people partying definitely a Celebration.

 

Weekend festival happening in Guilford (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

Kool & The Gang at a weekend festival happening in Guildford (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

The second stage the great attraction was Jedward with a very enthusiastic crowd and how much fun the young men were. I never thought I’d ever see them live and it was quite special experiencing the moment with their fans. The headliner was a heavily pregnant Sam Bailey (X factor winner) , a very family friendly end of the night.

Guilfest 2014 (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

Jedward @ Guilfest 2014 (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

The Big Cheese stage features newer bands with a hard rock feel and what a  grand line up as well. I didn’t manage to catch many bands but Black Futures were on my list and I would recommend you get over to see those guys, great show. On the Vive Le Rock stage my favourite act was The Buzzcocks, truly legends and fantastic to be there.

Weekend festival happening in Guilford (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

Buzzcocks @ Guilfest. Weekend festival happening in Guildford (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

Sunday started a bit on the cool side but not for long. Starting was Katrina (Ex and the Waves) , Shane Richie and his band The Prelude were such a revelation, for me anyway…he promised the crowd if they were good he would tell some Eastenders secrets. And the fun continued with Blobbie Williams, Kingsland Road, Norman Jay who got the festival goers on their feet with so many top tunes. The Sugar Hill Gang following on from where Candi Staton and Chic left off a few years ago getting the whole festival on their feet for feast of righteous rap.

The Human League headline Guilfest 2014 (Simon Jay Price)

The Human League headline Guilfest 2014 (Simon Jay Price)

Other great acts on that day were Ward Thomas, a British country music duo and The Enemy a feisty indie rock 3 piece from Coventry. The night ended with the Human League taking charge of the main stage playing so many great songs from the past…for me it was perfect. The smaller tents had so much to offer too, two of my favourite bands playing there, you can never fail to feel alive watching Feed The Rhino and Gallows.

Weekend festival happening in Guilford (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

Weekend festival happening in Guilford (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

In all it was a perfect weekend a truly special festival with so much to offer. Director of GuilFest, Tony Scott was delighted by this year’s event, saying “We’re so pleased that it happened, I have to say a huge thanks to all those who came, but also to all those who petitioned for us back in October to bring the festival back. There were lots of moments where we thought this wasn’t going to happen at all – so it really is truly amazing that it has turned out to be the best one we’ve ever put on! We really can’t wait for next year!!”

Solange Moreira-Yeoell was at Guilfest along with Simon Jay Price. A weekend festival in Guildford 16-19th July 2014.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000hAO84MANDMA” g_name=”Guilfest-2014″ f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”iptch” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_smooth=”t” f_up=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”640″ height=”480″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”FFFFFFF” btype=”new” bcolor=”#FFFFFF” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”sweep” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” bgtrans=”f” linkdest=”c” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” target=”_self” ]

Mother Mother @ Troxy (Kalpesh Patel)

Mother Mother Announce New Album ‘Nostalgia’ And Announce Brixton Headline Show

Celebrating their 20th anniversary as a band, globally-celebrated alt-rock phenomenon Mother Mother have shared their brand new single Make Believe via Parlophone/Warner Records. The track heralds the arrival of their upcoming tenth studio album, Nostalgia, out on 6th June.

Himalayas (Andy Ford)

HIMALAYAS Drop Latest Single ‘Surrender’

HIMALAYAS have released their new single Surrender, the latest song to be taken from their forthcoming album BAD STAR out April 25th via Nettwerk Music Group. Surrender is a foreboding cavernous rock track which examines uncritical loyalty to individuals and organisations, and the willingness to blindly accept anything they say. It also speaks to the inability to see why others may think differently, leading to further division instead of cooperation to achieve a common goal.

Brandon Boyd of Incubus @ Brixton Academy (Kalpesh Patel)

Incubus Announce Special Guest Paris Jackson For 2025 London Headline Show

Following their highly successful sold-out 2024 US Arena tour, US rockers Incubus will perform their iconic Morning View album in its entirety plus the hits at London’s The O2 on Saturday 26 April 2025, their only UK and Ireland show.

Jet Fuel Rock’N’Roll With The Hillbilly Moon Explosion And The Zipheads In London

Tucked away under Oxford Street, the 100 Club feels like a terribly kept secret, the venue you’d miss if you strode...
Zakk Sabbath @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire (Catherine Beltramini)

Zakk Sabbath Deliver A Tribute To The Prince Of Darkness At O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to witness Black Sabbath’s iconic riffs brought to life with a new level...
Better Joy (Press)

Manchester’s Better Joy Embarks On Her Debut UK Tour Across March & April

This Spring – better joy – AKA Manchester-based Bria Keely, embarks on her highly anticipated debut tour of the UK. With 8 headline dates throughout March and April, including a headline London show at Old Blue Last and a recently upgraded hometown show at Manchester’s Night & Day, the shows will coincide with the release of better joy’s eagerly awaited heading into blue EP, dropping on 28th March.

Justin Hawkins of The Darkness @ Ipswich Regent Theatre (Emma Shaw)

The Darkness Leave Their Home County Toasted At Second Ipswich Regent Theatre Show

This should have been the first gig of the tour for renowned rockers The Darkness, but their return to their home...
Twinnie (Press)

Twinnie Shares New Single ‘Woah Man’

A UK artist who is making an increasingly substantial impact in the Nashville scene, Twinnie excels at uniting country’s storytelling heart with an instantly appealing pop energy and determined self-empowerment. Those traits all shine proudly as Twinnie shares her brand new single Woah Man.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing