Create Your Own Festival This Summer!

Festival Entertainment Ideas!

Avoid the driving, the camping, the tramping, the queuing and the credit card hammering that is the UK summer music festival scene, why not stage your own mini festival instead! Check out the awesome festival entertainment ideas in this blog...
Also see our Festival Collection and Mumford and Sons style bands page here.

FEATURED: Our very own, exclusive, music festival themed band....Dirty Weekend!

We've taken inspiration from some of the best UK festivals so you can build your own DIY festival for friends and family whether you've got a spare field on your country estate or an urban back garden.

Latitude Festival
www.latitudefestival.com

This massive music and arts festival covers almost every type of superb entertainment you could possible want, including music, theatre, comedy, kids events, DJs, poetry, literature, film, cabaret, dance and lounge music. Be inspired by the sheer diversity, and get your friends to join in and show off their hidden talents too!

Live it like Latitude with:

• Up and coming party bands to rock your main stage
• Live ballet dancers performing a bespoke show
• Stand up comedians to get lots of LOLs
• DJs with lounge sets for your chillout zone
• Face painters and entertainers for the kids
• Your friends doing a star turn!

Geoff Whiting

5 stars - Geoff Whiting are Highly Recommended 13 Comedians Somerset

Geoff Whiting launched himself on an unsuspecting public by way of a five-minute open shot in March 1997. Since then he has become established as a popular compere at many of the UK's top comedy clubs, as well as a strong and versatile act.
Price from £POA
Face Painters

5 stars - Face Painters are Highly Recommended 1 London

Facepainting is a great way to ensure your children have a memorable day, whatever the party. They can be transformed into anything from wild animals to kooky clowns; from beautiful butterflies to their favourite superheroes!
Price from £353
Hipster

5 stars - Hipster are Highly Recommended 520 Rock & Pop Function Bands Cheshire

With more than 2000 bookings to date, and over 500 five-star reviews, Hipster are one of the most well established and best love party bands in the UK. Their repertoire contains classic Beatles, Fleetwood Mac & The Rolling Stones through to modern indie & pop from Kings of Leon, The Killers & Pharrell. Previous clients include NSPCC, Channel 5, HSBC, Wella, Savilles, Deloitte, KPMG, RBC, Lloyds, M&S, Unileaver, BAE Systems and many more.
Price from £1,795
Bespoke Ballet Company

5 stars - Hipster are Highly Recommended 520 Dancers London

With all dancers classically trained to the highest level, the Bespoke Ballet Company are a professional group providing outstanding ballet performances to intimate venues & bespoke engagements.
Price from £1,633

WOMAD
http://womad.co.uk

World music doesn't get better than this; a jaw-dropping line-up of acts that fill your ears with musician tradition and passport-defying fusion. Take a plunge into the world artists section at Alive Network for acts to surprise, delight and thrill your festival.

All the world is at your own version of WOMAD:

• Go Mexican mad with the Mucho Mariachi band
• Discover Cuban son, the fusion of Spanish and African rhythms, with The Cubanaires
• Strike a chord with solo accordionist Coeur Vagabond
• Get everyone dancing with the Latino, Flamenco and Afro-Cuban influences of Mym
• Go EU with sounds of Eastern Europe and the Balkans by Gypsy Magic
• Celebrate the best of British with ceilidh bands, Irish bands, Welsh harpists, and Scottish pipers
• Or book bands that play a fusion of traditional music, such as Connery, and The Footstomping Trads.

Mucho Mariachi

5 stars - Mucho Mariachi are Highly Recommended 16 Mariachi Bands London

Mucho Mariachi is a 4 piece Mariachi Band with an authentic Mexican sound. They are a lively addition to any themed event and are available in a 2-6 piece band, so can fit in with any of your space or budget restrictions.
Price from £980
The Cubanaires

5 stars - The Cubanaires are Highly Recommended 29 Latin, Salsa & World Music London

Bringing red hot rhythms straight from the streets of Eastern Cuba, The Cubanaires play authentic Cuban son, the fusion of Spanish and African rhythms that is the root of all salsa music. With optional costumed dancers, they will spice up any event.
Price from £2,650
Rabscallion

5 stars - Rabscallion are Highly Recommended 38 West Midlands

A ceilidh band, with a charismatic caller, who will get all the audience on the dancefloor from the word go, the onus is on fun! Dances suit all ages and levels of experience.
Price from £1,707
Connery

5 stars - Connery are Highly Recommended 41 Cheshire

A professional four piece ceili band, available with an excellent caller if required. Connery will transform your event into a fun and enjoyable Ceili with an Irish, Scottish or English flavour! Ready to play at all types of events, the band have previously entertained at festivals, weddings, birthdays, plus, clubs, PTA nights and more!
Price from £980
MYM

5 stars - MYM are Highly Recommended 18 Latin, Salsa & World Music Nottinghamshire

Explosive Acoustic Power Trio delivering a message of Unity, Sensuality and Fiesta. Original and traditional songs touched by Latino, Flamenco and Afro-Cuban influences woven together by driving dance rhythms.
Price from £784
Coeur Vagabond

5 stars - Coeur Vagabond are Highly Recommended 10 Latin, Salsa & World Music Somerset

Accordion soloist Coeur Vagabond can play a full repertoire of Parisian Waltzes and Javas from the 1930's and 40's, popular Italian songs and tarantellas, Tango, Oompah Polkas, or eastern European and Klezmer tunes.
Price from £264
Gypsy Magic

5 stars - Gypsy Magic are Highly Recommended 6 Unique, Unusual Musicians London

Gypsy Magic is a charismatic ensemble performing Eastern European, Balkan and Gypsy music. Their repertoire encompasses famous Balkan Gypsy dance pieces, along with vibrant folk dances and enchanting ballads. Dance performer/dance caller available.
Price from £1,317

Cambridge Folk Festival
www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

One of the most famous folk festivals in the world prides itself on an eclectic mix of music including bluegrass, gospel, cajun, zydeco, jazz, world, klezmer and ceilidhs. It's not just about star names either: there are regular slots for festival-goers to play too.

Recreate the folk vibe with:

• Bluegrass band The American Barn Dance Band
• The UK Gospel Choir
• Jazz and blues bands for hire
• The Klezmer Band
• Top ceilidh bands Wild Clover, Artys Party, Lord Strange or Rabscallion
• And, of course, your friends!

UK Gospel Choir

5 stars - UK Gospel Choir are Highly Recommended 69 Gospel Choirs London

The UK Gospel Choir are one of the most talented and professional choirs in the European Gospel scene. Available from 4 to 20 members & with piano or a full band, the choir perform a mix of gospel, pop, jazz, blues, soul, classical & Latin.
Price from £980
Artys Party

5 stars - Artys Party are Highly Recommended 58 Swansea

A lively group of musicians including a Brit Award and Mercury Music Prize nominee. Arty’s Party play Irish singalong standards. You can dance the night away to the ceilidh calling dance tunes such as the Seige of Ennis, the Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow.
Price from £778
Lord Strange

5 stars - Lord Strange are Highly Recommended 3 London

Lord Strange are a striking instrumental folk trio that perform traditional tunes from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Scandinavia, America & more! With a flexible repertoire & a caller also available, Lord Strange are perfect for all types of events!
Price from £1,045
All That Jazz

5 stars - All That Jazz are Highly Recommended 111 Jazz Bands South Yorkshire

EXCLUSIVE TO ALIVE NETWORK - All That Jazz is a versatile collection of the country's finest young Jazz musicians. They are available in a range of ensemble formats, including duo, trio, quartet and quintet, with male & female musicians.
Price from £784

Boomtown Fair Festival
www.boomtownfair.co.uk

A heady mix of dub, ska and reggae, swing, punk, and rockabilly in a family-friendly environment - sounds like fun!

Invite the whole neighbourhood to:

• Skank and go totally two-tone with The UK Ska Club
• Relax with real reggae from Rhythm Xpress
• Dance to your choice of the hottest swing bands at Alive Network
• Experience the rockabilly group that Bryan Adams chose for HIS party - Whole Lotta Shakin.

Whole Lotta Shakin

5 stars - Whole Lotta Shakin are Highly Recommended 47 Swing, Jive & Rock n Roll Warwickshire

The band Bryan Adams chose to play at his birthday party, Whole Lotta Shakin are the ultimate Rock n' Roll party band. Ideal for youngsters & oldies alike, they play great tunes for dancing, from Elvis & Buddy Holly to Beach Boys & Jerry Lee Lewis
Price from £872
Rhythm Xpress

5 stars - Rhythm Xpress are Highly Recommended 3 Latin, Salsa & World Music London

Rhythm Xpress are a fantastic 7 piece band who perform a vast array of genres, from Caribbean reggae, calypso and soca to Motown, pop, R&B and soul all up to the present day.
Price from £1,960
The UK Ska Club

5 stars - (Ska) The UK Ska Club are Highly Recommended 18 Tribute Bands West Yorkshire

If it's a skanking good party you want, The UK Ska Club will be in their element! Performing classic ska hits from Jamaica & Britain from the 60s, 70s & 80s, this quality act will have you guests skanking & dancing all night!
Price from £1,634

Bank Holiday Festival Overload: Creamfields, Leeds & Reading Festival & South West Four

www.creamfields.com
www.leedsfestival.com
www.readingfestival.com
www.southwestfour.com

Ok, you've got the idea by now. Book the music you love best, add in something crazy and unusual, stick up a stage, fire up the BBQ, bring in the beers and invite everyone who didn't even get within a mile of Glastonbury. (Just don't charge them to come or sell tickets; your home festival then becomes a public event and PRS, licencing, insurance, health and safety and all sorts of other legal stuff have to be considered.)

Unusual acts to spice up your festival:

• Nancy and Pearl, a quirky, vintage ukulele & vocal duo
• The Norvinis, a Victorian styled illusion act that's like no other
• Doo-wop boy band The T-Tones
• The Bentley Brothers playing pop hits in 1920s style, bizarre and brilliant!
• Authentic 1920's Berlin-style Cabaret with Cabaret Connection, the naughty but nice Cabaret Burlesque Revue or dare-devil stunts from The Body Shock Cabaret.
• And for a sparkling finale, Fire and Glow Performers.

Fire and Glow Performers

5 stars - Fire and Glow Performers are Highly Recommended 38 Circus Performers Leicestershire

A nationwide performance group specialising in fire & glow entertainment. From freestyle performances to wow-factor shows, whatever the size of your event, these skilled performers will be happy to add that little extra spark!
Price from £440
The T-Tones

5 stars - The T-Tones are Highly Recommended 30 Vocal Groups & Choirs Suffolk

THE T-TONES ARE THE UK'S PREMIER DOO-WOP VOCAL GROUP. Available for weddings, corporate events, functions and special occasions. Concepts, jingles, stings and appearances for TV, Radio and online marketing campaigns and projects. Music composition and bespoke song arrangement.
Price from £849
The Bentley Brothers Inc

5 stars - The Bentley Brothers Inc are Highly Recommended 14 Unique, Unusual Musicians West Yorkshire

A high energy and sophisticated musical troupe, blasting out raucous and sophisticated 1920s style arrangements of classic rock and pop. Inviting Taylor Swift, Motorhead, Beyoncé and Madness to a Gatsby-era mosh pit.
Price from £1,307
Cabaret Burlesque Revue

5 stars - Cabaret Burlesque Revue are Highly Recommended 1 Dancers London

A fun, cheeky mix of song, dance, circus and burlesque striptease, with a huge variety of fabulous costumes and choreographed acts. Providing anything from a solo performer to a full Revue Show! Cabaret Burlesque Revue will bring personality and sparkle to any event.
Price from £1,568
The Norvinis

5 stars - Cabaret Burlesque Revue are Highly Recommended 1 Magicians London

A comedy magic show with a twist! It's full of surprises and has an assistant who knows how to say it like it is! Levitation, comical contortion and jaw dropping escapes. Adult and family audiences love this theatrical escapism at its best.
Price from £POA
Nancy and Rosie

5 stars - Nancy and Rosie are Highly Recommended 12 Solo, Duos & Trios Merseyside

Nancy and Rosie are a quirky, vintage ukulele & vocal duo. Performing classic songs from the 1940s & 1950s, the girls also love to give hits from the 21st Century some of their retro treatment. A great charming & loveable act perfect for any event!
Price from £549

For more ideas, call the Alive Network team - we've got lots more ideas to make your private festival become the must-have invite of the summer!

And if you're inspired to organise a fully blown festival, here are some tips from festival organisers and experts who've been there, done that, got the T shirts printed and booked the portaloos…

http://www.list.co.uk/article/34730-how-to-put-on-a-festival-essential-dos-and-donts/

http://www.factmag.com/2013/05/13/how-to-run-a-festival-and-not-go-bust/