Top 4 reasons not to miss Hereford Indie Festival this August bank holiday weekend!

Hereford Indie Festival, taking place over the August bank holiday weekend promises a jam packed few days of exciting acts, delicious independent food vendors and a local makers shopping village for visitors to browse. This year’s festival is taking place in the heart of Hereford city centre, across four whole days and nights from 23rd to 26th August, and here are the top four highlights to enjoy at this year’s festival:

1. Electrifying music acts:

With headliners performing on the Main Stage, all day every day, through to the evening, festival goers will be treated to the likes of indie pop favourites Lottery Winners, rock hitmakers Feeder, 90s pop sensation, Gabrielle, and successful singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner.

And the entertainment doesn’t stop there, with one Hereford’s biggest music line-up of acts to enjoy and experience including: Banger Hour, Eliza May, Honey B McKenna, Kaiju Blue/Honey B, Skinny Living, Ten Tonnes, Cherym, Jack Valero + Band, The Manatees, Ellie Bleach, Loud Noises, Danny Ray, Jake of Diamonds, Delta Soul, DECO, BEZ (Happy Mondays), Jetski, Hay Shanty Men, Jam Factory, Terri Crawford, Acoustic Roots and a selection of DJ sets.

The all new Jam Factory Acoustic Stage, is where visitors can hear live music and discover exciting upcoming artists and talent, whilst enjoying the festival vibe.

2. Devour delicious street food:

The festival, previously known as Hereford Indie Food Festival, was originally designed and curated to showcase and highlight local food and drinks vendors from Hereford and beyond, and this is something that has continued, despite the festival growing and evolving.

The popular iconic street food market features a whole host of delicious locally made and produced food and drink vendors that festival goers can enjoy.

Confirmed street food vendors include everything from the local favourite and iconic Beefy Boys, to stonebaked pizzas from Origin Pizza, the mouth-watering mac & cheese sensation, MacMan, to traditional handmade Chinese Dumplings, Bao buns, Noodles, Sides, sweets & bubble tea from Happy Dumplings. As well as the large selection of larger dishes and mains covering an array of cuisines, there is a selection of coffee, dessert and drink vendors to enjoy including El Coffee Shack, Jam Factory, and Shepherds Ice Cream.

Running alongside the impressive food offering, there will be chef demos and master classes from the likes of Sakunthala Chandrasekara (AKA Saku) from GBBO 2023, and Liz Knight of Forage Fine Foods.

3. Shop and support local makers and businesses:

Shoppers, and those wanting to take a break from the music and entertainment, will rejoice for the return of the Wye Valley Maker’s Market. With locally made items and businesses promoting and selling their services, from ceramics to jewellery to childrenswear – shoppers can help support this selection of independent stores where they can pick up some locally produced gems.

The produce market will be celebrating regional produce, from coffees, to handmade baked good, to spirits – so much on offer for visitors to enjoy there and then, or take home as a later treat or gift.

Confirmed independents include the following businesses:

  • Rockfield Distillery
  • Boozie Brownies
  • Hereford Beer House
  • Sinfully Delicious
  • Rochfield Gin
  • Pueblo Artisan Food
  • Lucky 7 Beer
  • Peter Cook Bread
  • Ty Gwyn Cider
  • Biltong

4. A whole extra day to enjoy:

This year’s festival includes a whole extra day, with four jampacked days, full to the brim of entertainment for visitors to enjoy. All the above will be available to explore on all four days, and the extra day means people can take their time soaking in each and every moment and the electric atmosphere.

With headliners performing through the day and into the night, and acts performing all over the festival on various stages, there is so much to see and do at this local festival.

Gabrielle will be performing her iconic hits “Dreams” and “Out of Reach” on the Friday evening, while indie pop band, Lottery Winners will be treating fans to a full set of their hits on the Saturday evening.

The Bank Holiday Sunday evening is set to be a big one with performances by Feeder and Newton Faulkner. Feeder will be playing a selection of the nineties and early noughties hits, including “Just a Day” and “High”, amongst many others, while Newton Faulkner will be supporting with his most popular and well known songs, “Teardrop” and “Dream Catch Me” – the night is set to be one to remember!

During the four days, family friendly fun will be taking place across the festival, including various workshops, suitable for all ages and free of charge. On Saturday, a local non for-profit company, C.l.a.n (cultivating, learning and nature) will be running felting workshops, on Sunday the children’s high street art studio, Art Studio Ross, will be running art workshops and on Monday, a collection of local artists will be running beading workshops throughout the day.

Internationally renowned local artist, Matt Sanderson from Sanderson Sculpture is turning one of his sculptures into an interactive wishing tree which will take centre stage at the festival. Festival goers of all ages will be encouraged to create their own one-off pieces of artwork to attach to the beautifully unique tree to represent the leaves.

Tickets are now available on the website priced from as little as £5 per person for a 10am-4pm day pass (children under 12 go free), and evening tickets are priced from £25 per person, with VIP all inclusive packages available from £100. Evening tickets are for over 18s only.

Festival Sponsors include Westons Cider, Wye Valley Brewery, Rockfield Distillery, The Jam Factory, The Living Room and many more. For the full line up, festival information and to purchase tickets, please visit the official festival website –  www.herefordindiefestival.co.uk.