03 Jul 2025
There’s just a couple of days to go until this year’s M Festival – a popular community music event which is now in its 15th year.
Taking place at The Marlborough Science Academy on Saturday, the charity fundraiser will include live bands, food and drink, fairground rides, children’s entertainment and arts and crafts.
Since M Fest was launched in 2009, it has raised in excess of £140,000 for Marlborough Science Academy and other local causes.
Acts performing on the day include Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists Electric Umbrella, Fame Academy singer-song writer Sinéad Quinn,’90s cover band Common People, ’80s party band Six Go Mad, and Tom Billington’s band Pump It Up.
Tom is the co-founder of Electric Umbrella, a member of noughties indie combo Mohair and guitarist at Young Voices, the largest school choir concerts in the world, which perform at huge venues across the UK, including London’s O2 and the Co-op Live venue.
Also appearing will be Wider Load, a group made up of former MSA students, playing in tribute to their friend and bandmate Paul Cattermole, the ex-S Club 7 star who tragically died in 2023.
School choirs from Prae Wood, Mandeville and Heathlands primary schools will also be taking to the stage.
Parent volunteer Jez Carter has been responsible for band booking and liaison at M Fest this year, which means he is involved in everything to do with the music side of the event.
That has included securing acts, working out the running order, and making sure each performer has what they need on the day, from soundcheck to stage time.
He explained: I’m the point of contact for the artists before and during the event, and I’m there to ensure their experience is smooth and enjoyable so they can focus on putting on a great show.”
Coordinating the music acts across the day is like fitting together a jigsaw puzzle, he said.
“We start by confirming the headline acts and then build the day’s lineup around them, making sure we have a good balance of genres, tempos, and energy levels to keep the crowd engaged throughout. Timing is key, especially with changeovers between acts, so we work closely with our sound team and stage crew to keep everything running to schedule.”
Although they have appeared at M Fest in the past, this year Electric Umbrella and Sinéad are performing on the back of their TV appearances in the spring, which adds a new level of excitement to the show.
“There’s a real buzz around both acts this year, especially after their brilliant showings on Britain’s Got Talent. Both have always been crowd favourites at M Fest, but I think the BGT performances reminded people just what talent we will have on stage.
“Electric Umbrella, they’re more than just a band! Their message, their energy, and their inclusivity strike a real chord with people. I expect the crowd’s response to be bigger and more emotional than ever. We’re lucky to have them both back on the M Fest stage.”
What is it that he looks for when booking an act?
“We’re always on the lookout for performers who bring something memorable. That might be great musicianship, infectious energy, or a unique story. Because M Fest is such a family-friendly, community-focused event, we’re also looking for acts who can connect with a broad audience. It’s not just about how they sound, but how they engage with the crowd and contribute to the spirit of the day. If they leave people smiling and singing along, we’ve done our job right.”
Away from the stage, Marlborough students have also been doing their bit to promote the event.
Erle Felkers, TMSA head of music, tasked his Year 8 students with creating posters, promotional videos and podcasts about the event, to encourage their involvement if they weren’t performing.
Following closely-fought auditions, M Fest will see a line-up of acts drawn from the Marlborough community, who will be taking to the stage in the afternoon.
Erle says this is a fantastic opportunity: “This event is very important for our students, as one of the biggest things it gives them is a platform to grow and build in their confidence, as confidence is a huge trait to have as a musician, especially as a young teenager.
“This event also teaches them the discipline in learning how to prepare and rehearse for a major event, and it allows them to collaborate with other students they might not have ever spoken to at the school if it was not for music. That is why I hope that this festival will grow from strength to strength every year, as it is so important for our students to be part of.”
If you have yet to buy your tickets, the St Albans Times has a special discount code available: StAlb8nsT!m3s2025
To obtain the discount, go to the tickets page at https://mfestival.co.uk/tickets/, input the code in the box marked Use Ticket Access Code, and scroll to the bottom of the page for the special St Albans Times prices.
Jez added: “Expect a packed day of incredible live music, brilliant food and drink, and a welcoming, joyful atmosphere. M Fest is about community, fun, and celebration. There’s something for everyone, kids, teens, parents, and grandparents alike. We’ve got music, activities, stalls, and loads of surprises, it really is the highlight of the summer for so many people around here, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”
