07 Jul 2023
The new owners of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks are set to host their first all-day free festival at the pub they took over in April 2022.
Co-owners Martin Robinson, Ian Baulsh and Sam Walker will be turning the pub into a mini-Glastonbury for The Fighting Cocks Fest on July 15 with 10 live bands performing.
They include headline act the Maida Vales, whose roots lie in the infectiously catchy rhythms of the late Indie explosion as well as the traditional psych-pop sounds of the 1960s.
Other bands performing including Kaspar and the Swamp Dogs, King Violet, Bandini, Vertigo, Carla Coyne, Kick Pistol, Veala, Funky Monks and Ed Ashmore Jazz Trio. As the sun sets, the festival vibes will head inside with a late-night DJ set by Chris C.
A mixture of acoustic and live bands will be performing inside and outside the pub, and there will be poetry readings, riverside dancing, face painting, fire-eating performers, a Nintendo tournament for kids of all ages and a magician.
The barbecue will be fired up and the pub’s new pizza oven will be serving up a selection of pizzas to tuck into.
Martin said: “Music is the beating heart of our pub. We have built up a great live music night on Fridays that has become really popular, and we are keen to put on a festival with an all-day programme of music and entertainment for everyone to enjoy. We will have lots of activities for children too. it really will be a festival for everyone to enjoy.”
Doors open at 12pm on July 15 with live music beginning at 1pm.
