Festival Preview: Guilfest

Photo: Fun Lovin' Criminals

Guilfest reconvenes on the green fields of Guildford's Stoke Park on July 18th, refreshed and reinvigorated, ready to produce another belting spectacle with some of the biggest names in dance, rock, metal and pop hooked in to make this a tantalising return.

In amongst the full menu of theatre, arts and crafts exhibitions, and huge beer tents will be some of the biggest acts from the past and present, making this a really eclectic celebration of all that is good in the world of music.

Friday sees the likes of Bob Geldof's iconic Boomtown Rats and Huey Morgan's sublime Fun Lovin' Criminals (relive 'Love Unlimited' above) headlining the Richmond Hyundai main stage, with some excellent bass music coming from Shadow Child, Hannah Wants and Mak & Pasteman hitting the Kane FM Funky End Dance Tent. Public Service Broadcasting, The Other Tribe and Sham 69 provide some of the other highlights on day one.

Saturday sees funk and disco legends Kool and the Gang hit up the main stage, joined by pop hero Naughty Boy and Mercury Award winning songstress Ms Dynamite. Elsewhere, Welsh rockers Space showcase some of their classic gritty rock leanings, whilst at the other end of the spectrum X factor alumni Sam Bailey and the love them or hate them Irish twins Jedward add a bit of guilty fun to proceedings.

Those that enjoy their rock heavy and unforgiving can look forward to Soulfly (see them in action above) and Arcane Roots in the big Cheese Cave, with ravers again catered with appearances from Shogun Audio boss Friction, drum n bass veteran Roni Size, Digital Soundgirl B.Traits and Black Butter duo My Nu Leng.

The final day ends things on a high with eighties pop icons The Human League flanked by hip hop trailblazers The Sugar Hill Gang and indie upstarts The Enemy, with another must-see appearance coming from knighted rare groove pioneer Norman Jay.

Some classic feel good pop too comes from German four piece Boney M, whilst the metellers out there can look forward to moshing to the caustic sounds of Gallows and Gnarwolves.

Men of the moment Sigma (check out their massive number on hit above) head up the dance tent with their glistening pop flavoured drum n bass in tact. Fred V & Grafix join them for some more high tempo, bass fueled bliss.

Add to this the full weekend roster of Comedy, and the award winning family festival looks set to once again embed itself in the hearts of Surrey's enthusiastic festival goers. Grab your Guilfest tickets here.

Tickets are no longer available for this event