LIVE 28 Aug @ Eastbourne Vintage Festival
The Kopy Katz have been booked to headline the Eastbourne Vintage Festival on Saturday 28 August 2021. It’s billed as the biggest free vintage festival in the South East and we cannot wait. We’re pretty sure this will be one of the best gig experiences of the summer.
The reason playing festivals is so much fun is that we get to meet other amazing bands, there’s always loads to see and do and everyone is in such high spirits. The only worry is that we are at the mercy of the weather.
So great news, it’s free entry to the Eastbourne Vintage Festival although you still have to book tickets though as numbers have to be controlled due to health and safety (booking details below).
The festival takes place over four days, 27 – 30 August on the bank holiday weekend at one of Eastbourne’s most beautiful locations, Gildredge Park.
When they describe the festival as ‘vintage’ and ‘retro’ they really mean it as they plan to transport visitors back in time from the 1920’s to the 1970’s. I’m sure The Kopy Katz fit in there somewhere although you could raise the whole 1980’s neo-rockabilly movement and of course The Stray Cats. They do advise festival goes to ‘dress to impress’ so people watching will be on our to do list with a couple of cold beers.
Live music
The event website states that there will be music and dance from the period including swing, jazz, Motown, soul, disco, rock and roll and boogie woogie. Well, we are sold! They haven’t published the artists appearing yet so check on their website for updates. We do know that The Red Katz, another great rockabilly band, are playing Saturday night too so fasten your seatbelts, that stage is really gonna rock.
Open air cinema
Now we love this idea, a free outdoor cinema. Hope there’s some popcorn nearby too. They are screening the following:
Fri 27 Aug – GREASE
Sat 28 Aug – THE GREATEST SHOWMAN
Sun 29 Aug – MAMMA MIA!
Note: The Kopy Katz are playing live Saturday 28 Aug and the film will start after our performance.
Shopping vintage style
I hear this is the biggest free vintage festival in the South East and with over 160 stands, stalls, pitches and a Vintage Market Marquee, I can believe it. Organisers say everything vintage and retro has be catered for including clothes, vinyl, art, antiques, books, comics, Brocante, homeware and more.
Classic vehicles
This is my next favourite part of a vintage festival after bands and food/drink. The festival is exhibiting a selection of stunning vintage cars, bikes, scooters, vans, farm vehicles from the 20s to the 70s.
Members of The Kopy Katz have owned loads of classic cars and bikes over the last few years. Take a look at this montage image of our classic vehicles >
Victorian funfair
We love the funfair. To be fair who doesn’t right? OK rollercoasters and all that are fine to not like but this funfair should be right up everyone’s street. On site will be a traditional Victorian Funfair which includes a collection of vintage rides aimed at giving children a ‘feel the of the Edwardian and Victorian old-fashioned funfairs’. Hopefully we can ride on ‘em too.
Kids’ corner
Looks like there’s loads of stuff to do for kids. As an adult (debateable) I am getting a little jealous. So according to their website there’s going to be Punch & Judy shows, popcorn and candyfloss (we’ll be here just before the film starts), old fashioned ice cream, hot dogs (I hope they have veggie ones), arts and crafts, face painting, Victorian carousels, old fashioned Helta Skelter and test your strength High Striker and many more. Wow!
Festival interview
The event is organised by Carrot Events and we asked Managing Director, Faiza Shafeek, a few questions to find out more…
TKK: So Faiza, how would you describe the event?
Faiza: The venue is Gildredge Park and the event is A Vintage and Retro Festival.
TKK: Tell us something about the history of the Eastbourne Vintage Festival?
Faiza: The Event is a new one and should have taken place in Aug 2020 but due to C19 it was cancelled and moved to Aug 2021.
TKK: We were going to ask you what’s the craziest story you have relating to the festival but we didn’t realise this is the first year.
Faiza: Not got one at present, only that so many people are so elated that its taking place and have sent lovely emails saying so.
TKK: Tell us something about your own musical taste.
Faiza: My music tastes are to see extremely eclectic and range from Blues & Jazz of all types, Rock & Roll, Motown, Country, Pop some, Classical & Opera and of course Arabic music…to be honest I LOVE music point blank.
Tickets & more details
Hope you guys can make it. The Kopy Katz headline the festival on Saturday 28 August and we’ll be onstage around 7pm closing the live music portion of the day on the main stage. Following us will be the outdoor cinema screening of The Greatest Showman.
Does that mean The Greatest Showman will follow the greatest showmen? Sorry, couldn’t resist.
For TICKETS (free) and more details visit the Eastbourne Vintage Festival website at www.eastbournevintagefestival.co.uk
