I am hoping that our younger (and older) fans noticed that we have enlarged the outside “FUN ZONE” entertainment area to include many new acts for this year. This included Circus Wiz, an assault Course, a Stunt Show plus much more happening with our regular entertainers as well.This year we also up-rated our evening entertainment to include (amongst other acts) a full set of X factor Stars.

Click here to view Entertainment Gallery

MARQUEE ENTERTAINMENT

Obviously, we are well aware that there was/is a lot of rumblings about the fact that we charged for the Marquee part of the main evening entertainment. The reasons for doing this are already well debated and documented on the website & elsewhere. We have had a mixed bag of feedback/comments from the both Marquee & Severn hall entertainment, some loved it others did not.

Bottom line is that although the take up on the Marquee ticketed entertainment was not 100% it was a success & has helped to offset some of the costs involved AND also raised a very significant amount for the Vanfest Charities (Help for Heroes benefited  to the tune(s) of over £10k from fundraising activities on site during the weekend plus £2k from the entertainment..)

From what I saw it was very much appreciated by all. Pig Earth did a great set to set the mood for Friday evening Scaletz were gorgeous, Bad Manners were fantastic on the Friday night.

On the Saturday evening Karen Coleman showed exactly why she is at the top of the bill and gave us an excellent selection of her music. The Stars From the X Factor may not be to everybody’s taste but they certainly added a bit of something “extra”  to the event this year & certainly gave us a very good showing us what they can do. If you want to see what you need to have the “X” Factor, take a look at the following Gallery’s;

STARS FROM THE X FACTOR AT VANFEST GALLERY’S

Something unique to Vanfest which has never been achieved on X Factor before, was getting them to all together to do a set at the end of the evening.

The Severn Hall proved to be a bit more congested than the Marquee (as expected) and provided a (very) wide spectrum of musical acts over the two nights, some noisier than others! I did get to see the “Summer Nights” Show as well & thought that was particularly good (but bit greasy!).

Some also were very impressed by Counterfeit Quo, others were not, but we are never going to please everyone. It is Whatever You Want when you get Down Down Down  to it!I

The Battle of the Bands again proved very popular. A very special thanks to all of the participants in this year’s BATTLE, who it has to be said provided an excellent (and very wide range! ) of music over both the evenings.

Click here to view Battle of Bands Gallery

(Sorry we did not manage to get pictures of all the bands appearing)

Vanfest favourites The Brian Collins Band kept everybody in the Teme Hall happy throughout the weekend.

There was still plenty to see and listen to outside as well. Our resident band Druids Brew and their guests kept the MUSIC ZONE buzzing all weekend.  Some of you might have noticed that it was not just the DRUIDS that looked a bit worse for wear this year. Pumpkin suffered a severe punch in the nose on the way to the event & will need a bit of cosmetic sugary before doing much more socialising for  awhile.

The big unexpected success this year was the new SHEEP SHEERING SHED STAGE at the south end of the site. A very BIG thankyou to the boys (and girls) from the band Band “Devious” and “The Postmans Opera” for running this new venue. I went down there for a quick look on the Saturday night & spent most of the evening there.

We will enlarge & develop this area for next year and will probably hold the battle of the bands there. (Again sorry about the lack of pictures of this venue – most of us were too busy looking at (and joining in with) the acts to take pictures).