Sutton With Shopland Festival - a little hidden gem - outstanding - have your say

Sutton With Shopland festival is small, intimate, independent and committed to the community, it's organised and staffed by a team of amazing and totally dedicated volunteers. We say amazing because although this is a small festival there was no lack of standards at this one - in fact the standards and vibe of the place was far higher than you'll find at many well established events.
These guys were committed to festival safety, high standards and great entertainment - and do you know what - the excelled at what they did.

We haven't had such a relaxed and friendly time at a festival for ages - the vibe was truly great at Sutton with Shopland - and that's down to all those amazing people that were there - those who arranged it and those who supported it.

The entertainment was non stop and there were some great bands on offer - including 'A', Battle, The Thirst and Koopa - and Friday saw them welcome The James Taylor Quartet. You really have to hand it to promoter Sean Mcloughlin and the team who arranged the line up for this festival - there was certainly no lack of talent here. All the local bands gave it attitude and to be quite honest they played as though they were playing to a full on major festival. Make no mistake about it - Sutton With Shopland are a very special crowd doing some very special things with this event. It's been going for just 4 years and year on year is building on each previous years success - so this festival is growing the proper way - and trust us - it's growing in stature, respect and ability - it's going places is Sutton With Shopland. We think you should keep an eye open for this one because it's a bit special.

With all profits going to charity you learn very quickly that this crowd ain't in it for the money - they're in it for the love of live music that reaches out to the community and involves them and with that ethos comes the natural opportunity to do something good for the whole community - this team show you that all this - and more -can be achieved - because the whole ethos surrounding this event is about community and inclusion - it really takes your breath away - and yeah - it actually brings a little tear to the eye.

Don't run away with the idea that because the SWSF team are small and independent they are not professional - true professionalism is shown by those involved in this event and to be honest they could teach a thing or two to the 'big guns' about how you relate to your customer - the attention to detail and to festival safety was second to none. The production of a highly professional festival programme also added to the certainty that these guys know a thing or two about event organisation. We loved the multi tasking stewards who were getting about on power stilts whilst simultaneously eating lunch and organising the traffic! Always good humoured and ready to help! - makes a difference.

To our amazement Sutton Hall Miniature Railway was situated here - so festival goers were treated to miniature railway trips around the site! - another community facility brought together by volunteers - just because!
Sutton With Shopland is held in and around farm buildings - so the entertainment largely happens in 4 large barns - if you do get bad weather you're still going to be able to enjoy this one. The attention to detail for families is great - they put on loads of entertainment that's family friendly with a small funfair area set out in the children's garden/outdoor arena - and it was clear that the kiddies at this event were having the time of their lives. Mind you - whilst it was great for this year they may need to re-think for the future because if they grow as they could they will outgrow this site as more facilities will be needed.

Luke and Jon had set up a whole Sundown Marmalade Arena which was a popular hang out place to find the guys and their boards, chill out and even have a go at the open mic tent! Some very cool stuff going down here! Marmalade produce boards that are a bit different from the norm - the boards are designed for speed - so if you're into your boards check them out at skatemarmalade.

The quality artwork and graffiti that was around the site was great and we nearly forgot to get a snap - but this one gives you just a flavour of the kind of stuff getting about. Really great to see so much commitment and so much talent on offer

Love Music Hate Racism had a high profile at the festival making a huge contribution to the event and setting out their message for festival fans in the way they do best - they way that makes sense to people - celebrating cultural diversity and fighting fascism through music. This is a vital campaign for our future - Love Music Hate Racism shows every right thinking individual how important it is that we unite against hatred and bigotry - that we show the world that we celebrate our multi- cultural and multi- racial society - what's more we're darn proud to be a part of it and won't let it be high jacked. Support Love Music Hate Racism - and the great bands that give their time and talent for free - find out more here. Please support Love Music Hate Racism in any and every way you can.

Have we said how much we loved this festival? we were impressed by the way that they were so open and honest about concert and festival safety - not only open and honest but fully supportive to the point that they actively promoted Safeconcerts at the event - how refreshing to meet festival organisers who are not afraid to show the public that festival safety really matters to them - it matters more than lip service. Safeconcerts were able to wander wherever we wanted on site - how many festival organisers do you know that are confident enough to do that? The Sutton With Shopland crew are - and they are because they have nothing to hide - they put on an excellent, safe and superb event - and people gave their time freely - their reward? seeing a well organised festival bring a huge amount of fun to a lot of people who had a great time.

And do you know what? - we weren't ripped off for food and drink which were sold at normal prices! If Sutton With Shopland can do it........

Sutton With Shopland set out to provide good music, good food, good fun and a peaceful environment for those who love music and love life - we think they did it - and they did it with style!

Keep an eye out for Sutton With Shopland next year - it's the community festival with a big heart and big talent - it's just going to go on getting better and better!

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