IF music be the food of love then head over to Stratford’s Bell Court next month where there’s a feast of musicians ready to entertain festival shoppers.
Music from a variety of bands and vocalists will set the tone for this year’s annual Food Festival, which showcases local artisan food and drink producers in the form of more than 120 stalls, plus pop-up bars and cooking and cocktail making demonstrations.
Running between September 16th-18th, visitors will be able to eat their way around the world with stunning street food and some of the finest producers of dairy products, baked goods and sweet treats.
And Bell Court will feed into the food festival vibe throughout the three days by serving up a menu of live music from a variety of local bands and vocalists.
Bass Chatfield (Friday 11.45am-12.30pm and 1pm-1.45pm)
Using a bass guitar, acoustic guitar, beatboxing and looping, James Chatfield, from Worcester, is a new take on the one-man band, with occasional expansions to drum kits and glockenspiels and vocals.
James, who has been performing for more than five years, said: “This unique approach has gathered crowds around me on the streets, and those moments are incredible. To see the joy of strangers coming together and sharing this moment makes me want to do it more – it’s all about spreading joy and connecting strangers.”
Louise James (Performing Friday 2.15pm-3pm)
Louise James is a professional singer and vocal coach from Stratford with years of experience singing soul classics through to chart music and is regularly booked for her Adele Tribute.
Stratford Vocal students (Performing Friday 3.15pm-4pm)
Stratford Vocals is made up of local women from all age groups who love to harmonise classic upbeat songs from all eras. A mixture of altos and sopranos, they have been together just over six months.
Tom Hall (Performing Saturday 2.15pm-3pm and 3.30pm-4.15pm)
Tom, from Shipston, has two decades of gigging under his belt, a guitar under his fingers and a bass drum under his right foot. He’ll be performing songs spanning the past 70 years from classic Rock ‘n’ Roll to 80s Hair Metal.
Wes Finch (Performing Saturday 11am-11.45am and 12.15pm -1pm/Sunday 1.45pm- 2.30pm and 3pm-3.45pm)
A Coventry artist who writes and records original material under the names Wes Finch, The Silver Wye and with the poetry inspired, string-led group The Mechanicals Band. Expect to hear a selection of pop, rock, folk and country covers from the likes of Paul Simon, Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac and Van Morrison.
Foregate Brothers (Performing Sunday 11am-11.45am and 12.15pm-1pm)
The band, made up of Stratford’s David Bristow and Andy Dent from Worcester, has enjoyed regular appearances at blues and jazz clubs and festivals across the Midlands. With a unique mellow jazz and blues style, the Foregate Brothers will be playing songs from the 30’s and 40’s as well as originals with a vintage pre-war era style.
To mark the event some of Bell Court’s retailers also have some special offers for visitors to their stores.
Rich Jones, Centre Manager of Bell Court, said: “The Stratford upon Avon Food Festival is always a brilliant weekend for the whole town and this year will not be any different. At Bell Court, there will be a fantastic buzz over the weekend as we host live music across the three days. We’re proud to have a fantastic food and drink offering and we’re looking forward to welcoming those visiting the town to Bell Court.”
The free-to-attend Stratford Food Festival is open 10am-8pm on September 16th-18th and further information is available here
