To music lovers there is nothing like an outdoor festival. Sitting in the sun…or the rain…lukewarm beer in hand…soaking up the music and people watching.

It’s time to bring our very own festival to this great town. This is Burton’s first music festival which is surprising given the vibrant live music scene and the unusually high number of talented performers that pack out the Wetmore Whistle and other places around town each weekend. It’s a family friendly festival aimed at showcasing local bands with a great mix of original music, covers and tributes bands.

Taking place this weekend and we hope will be great value. Weekend tickets are just £15 (that’s only 60p a band) and day tickets are £10. Not only that but under 18s are free of charge so long as they are accompanied by a responsible adult. Tickets can be bought online at www.burtfest.com or you can pick tickets up from the Wetmore Whistle Pub on Hawkins lane.

We will have bouncy castles, food, and of course a beer tent and bar. But the real attraction, of course, will be the bands. 25 of them at the last count.

Saturday will be headlined by the brilliant Bon Jovi uk. We all know the songs but these guys also bring the look of the real thing. Its not just a band playing Jovi songs , its a true tribute show. They have previously played sell out shows in the area at the Conkers Am-phitheatre and appeared in the Big Top showcase at Glastonbudget this year to 3000 cheering singing fans. Also on Saturday we have Tilted Smile, a band with a growing national profile, and many others including Fantastik 4, Red Sky High and Myways. Also be sure to get there early on Saturday as we open at noon with a set from local legends Rockaholic.

As befits a sunny (and we’ve ordered the sun) Sunday afternoon we have a more varied music mix on day 2. Ending the show will be Queen uk, who under the name “One Vision” sold out 650 tickets at The Glade, Rosliston last summer, whilst raising £6000 for Queen’s Hospital. Wigs, moustaches, all the costumes and importantly..the genuine sound.

The Vague need no introduction to local audiences and we also mix it up a bit with Nottingham bands Breadchasers and Stuck in Se-cond. And in a throwback to 1981 we will open the show on Sunday with a short Whitesnake tribute featuring performers from a few of the other bands playing Burtfest…our very own “supergroup.”

But that is just to name a few. Every performer is is equally important and valued at Burtfest. We welcome superb local bands Swift Flasby, The Silicone Taxis, Junction and Son of Eagle. Mark Raven returns to his hometown with the reborn “Remedy” whilst Leices-ter’s rising star “The Booby Traps” are appearing on the Saturday. Completing the eclectic mix are Roses of Wallam, Fontana In-stincts, Black Fuzz, Great Scott, 6th Letter, Dave Titley, Havana and The Swines.

We hope you can join us for the party!

Tickets available to buy online now:-

http://www.burtfest.com/

Or you can buy them from Ben Brettell behind the bar at the Wetmore Whistle, Nolan Salmon or Anna Harris.

Looking for approx 80 young volunteers to represent the Club during the two days and 'work' doing various tasks. This will involve doing a 4-5 hour stint on either the Saturday or Sunday or for those wanting to really push it both days !!!!...!. A great incentive scheme is being worked with this ,that any volunteer will get a 'free ticket ' to the rest of the festival. Apply by Contacting Steve Briggs e-mail rugbykit1@taltalk.net