Harbourside Park, Poole
Friday 27, Saturday 28, Sunday 29 July
Four generations groove in the summertime at Poole festival……..
Age is no barrier to a rockin’ good time at Poole Harbour Festival next weekend. Thatís the message from veteran party starter Ray Dorset whose legendary 1970s band Mungo Jerry will top the bill on Sunday evening. “These days it’s always a family show – four generations deep, it’s what I do,” says Ray, who has lived in Westbourne since 1994. “I’m still playing all over Europe and tour regularly but when I can I like to help out the local community, which is why I love doing these family festival shows.”
With 30 live acts on three stages, the three-day festival at Harbourside Park runs from 27 to 29 July and offers a full weekendís entertainment with Mungo Jerry and a stunning bill of top tribute acts on stage in the circus big top, as well as the best local bands. Also on the menu is a mouth-watering array of artisan-produced international street foods, local produce and crafts.
Ray, whose distinctive Afro hairstyle and mutton chop sideburns are unchanged since the early 1970s, can’t wait to share his set with fans of all ages. “I play most of the hits – In the Summertime, of course, Feels Like I’m In Love, Lady Rose and end with Long Legged Woman Dressed in Black. But everything I do is based around two songs from REWIND my last album – there’s Touch the Sky, which is a line from In the Summertime, and the philosophy is all about getting people to reach up and touch the sky. “The other one is I’ll Be a Hippy ‘Til I Die which was inspired by the life of Eden Ahbez, the guy who wrote Nature Boy that Nat King Cole and lots of others had a hit with. He was all about living close to nature, doing good and being peaceful ñ the original hippie.
“So to be able to stand on stage and put over this philosophy to four generations at a time is a powerful thing; a real privilege.” As well as top tributes to the likes of Oasis, Stereophonics, Foo Fighters, Amy Winehouse and Mumford & Sons, the weekendís bill also includes top local acts the Mother Ukers, All Funked Up and Sixteen String Jack, as well as dance and rock DJs Martyn the Hat and Jeff Keenan. Younger festival goers will be able to join in with Mr Merlin, Krazy Kev, the Mad For Animals Show, Circus Workshops and a Family Fire Show. The bar will be well stocked with real ales and craft beers and ciders. Mungo Jerry’s most recent albums 100% Live and the two-CD set REWIND are about to be joined by Twenty-Four Days, a two-DVD/CD film/live album box set that documents the bandís sell-out 2016 tour and also includes 100% Live. ìI canít wait to play the Poole Harbour Festival, looking out to sea, it will be a really special show,” adds Ray. “We’ll have our German electric cello player with us for this show, which people might not have seen before, he adds some real atmosphere to what we do.”
Poole Harbour Festival opens at 5pm on Friday, noon on Saturday and 11am on Sunday, closing at 11pm on Friday and Saturday and 6pm on Sunday.
Tickets available now at www.eventbrite.co.uk.
Ticket prices
Until 26 July: Adult weekend £17, Child weekend £7, Adult day £9 (Sun £7), Child day £4, Family weekend £30, Family day £17.
On the gate: Adult weekend £25, Child weekend £10, Adult day £12 (Sun £10), Child day £5, Family weekend £45, Family day £27.
Links
https://www.pooleharbourfestival.com
https://www.facebook.com/pooleharbourfestival
