Upton Ukulele & Roots Festival

Something to aspire to playing for the 2019 festival? (14, 15 & 16th June). Early bird tickets on sale soon.

The lovely, irrepressible Zip Pain was such a pleasure to meet him at the festival. For those who missed him watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nor folk-23184407

Ship Of Fools setting sail at this years festival. https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu .be&v=9yigmvUSzVs

https://www.facebook.com/15620112/posts/1 0104509953044897/

Whilst I recover from what was a fabulous festival the mind is active (just!). Some 'Ukies' (most of you probably) don't appear to have an 'off switch' and jamming went on in several locations on the campsite till the wee small hours. Just a thought, what's the general feeling for having a 'quiet area' on the campsite for those who like (or need!) their beauty sleep? The rest of you can 'Uke on' till dawn (again) Post your thoughts below. Cheers,... Stan.
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Then two days later Hal played to a packed theatre at the first Upton Ukulele Festival. (Note to self, get video equipment for the 2019 festival).

Kev n Kev doing their thing under the watchful gaze of Jake & Elwood.

The Naughty Corner, on the corner, strutting their stuff during the festival.

I'd like to personally thank ALL bands and artists for making this first festival absolutely fabulous. I'd also like to thank EVERYONE who supported the festival by attending. The feedback has been amazing and a lot of lessons have been learnt as to how to 'tweak' NEXT years festival. I was told by 'those who know' that the Reno (Nevada USA) festival is generally regarded as the biggest in the world and that Upton has the potential to eventually surpass that! That would be am...azing. However it depends on me getting help (& I'm not talking psychiatric) to organise the 2019 festival. It's already in the planning stage so I need your offer of help (and your 'skill set' if applicable) in the next month. Please email Uptonukefest@outlook.com and put HELP in the subject bar. To finish this tome all that remains to be said is Thank you, thank you, thank you. Love to each and every one of you. Stan ps KEEP STRUMMIN' xx
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HEE HEE, now when Friends Ukenited played this I wager they didn't know that not 200 yds from where they were playing lives Benny Gallagher (of Gallagher & Lyle) who wrote this song. It was there biggest hit selling over 8 million copies. https://www.facebook.com/groups/443392695 792090/permalink/1262258407238844/

Sundays activities 10.30 Upton Parish Church, inter-denominational Uke gospel service with the Ukulele Messengers (songs provided). Star Garden: 12.30 Workshop Showcase, show off what you've learnt. Then at 2pm we follow on with the BIG SESSION. Have you got your copy of the festival songbook? 6pm Festival Officially ends however you are more than welcome to keep playing for as long as you want. ... Please remember, campsite closes midday Monday.......... 2019 we do it all over again. Thank you one and all for making this such a fabulous festival. I've had nothing but glowing reports from all of you. Stan xx
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Thank you Hal for your kind words. I'm sure I can say from all the festival attendees that it was a real pleasure watching you perform two absolutely fantastic performances. Next year? Definitely!

Happening right now for the first time in the U.K. for several years. Manitoba Hal and Ken Middleton duetting at the Kings Head. Missed it? Catch Hal at the Memorial Hall Saturday 8pm.

Well the pre festival meet at the Star Hotel Concert Room went down a storm with lots of old favourites being played. Old friendships renewed and new ones made. The Festival Director even managed to put in a short appearance to say 'Hi' before he had to shoot off to install the last of the PA & Lighting systems at one for the other venues. Such a pity he didn't get to have one of the £2 pints on sale there.

3;45am & just got back to festival HQ after a loooong day. Switched the radio on and Spitting Image was doing 'The Chicken Song' which cheered me up no end. Anyone do it in their set list? A great and crazy song. ZZZZzzzz

Well it's just gone midnight. Today's the day! A few 'finishing touches' to do (PA, Lighting rigs etc) in readiness for the pre festival gathering in the Star Concert room THIS evening. Will I get any sleep? Probably not. So soon I'll be seeing you 'down by the riverside'. C ya soon! Stan.

So the 'nice signs' haven't arrived! So we've hastily made these. The entrance has the sign with the green writing on. Postcode for Satnav is WR8 0PB. See you all after midday Thursday.

In 48 hours the 'pre festival' meet/jam will have started in the Star Hotel. 😀 For those of you who still want tickets, 3 day stroller or day stroller, they are still available on the website. Tee shirts & programmes will be available from the festival office which is situated at the entrance to the campsite & car park. ALL festival attendees and artists need to 'check in' at the festival office to exchange Eventbrite paperwork for wristbands and merchandise. Bandleaders & artists need to collect their passes and venue instructions from the Festival Office also.

The blues festival was fantastic so I'm pretty sure Ukes will be just as inventive and efficient. Camping second to none, showers and loos wonderful!!

Sounds like a fantastic idea. Upton knows how to put on a great event so it should be good.

The blues festival was fantastic so I'm pretty sure Ukes will be just as inventive and efficient. Camping second to none, showers and loos wonderful!!

Sounds like a fantastic idea. Upton knows how to put on a great event so it should be good.

The blues festival was fantastic so I'm pretty sure Ukes will be just as inventive and efficient. Camping second to none, showers and loos wonderful!!

Sounds like a fantastic idea. Upton knows how to put on a great event so it should be good.