EHDC backing Butserfest
The future of one of Britains premier music festivals for young people has been guaranteed by East Hampshire District Council.
Butserfest held in September at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park near Petersfield has been given 75000 backing for the next five years.
Launched seven years ago by council leader Ferris Cowper the event is alcohol and drugs free and features some of the best bands in the country.
Sponsors include Eric Claptons Crossroads Centre in Antigua.
Cllr Cowper who plays the drums in a band called Good Times Roll said: We started this in response to that age old complaint from youngsters that there was nothing for them to do.
I was determined to make sure that there was which is how Butserfest began. We make it alcohol and drugs free so that parents know their children are in a totally safe environment.
It certainly doesnt stop anyones enjoyment and bands are now queuing up to take part. The council is totally behind Butserfest and is doing all it can to keep it as a fixture in the calendar.
I have acted quickly to secure this new funding because we do not want the festivals future to be in doubt. This vision will not change and were now going to set up a Butserfest Board to expand the event and take it to the next level.
One of the boards first tasks will be to see if the event can spill over into a second day to take advantage of the stages that host the festival.
Bands like Mallory Knox say they are already excited at entertaining the crowds while We Are The Ocean will be the headline act.
There will also be a chance to hear 13:32 the band from The Petersfield School which won the Butserfest battle of the school bands competition.
An experienced gigging band whose influences include Avenged Sevenfold Nirvana Metallica and Bullet For My Valentine they have played in Petersfield Town Square at The Lounge Bar in Alton Ferneham Hall in Fareham and at open mic events.
Drummer and vocalist Kieran Murphy said: Butserfest is just a step in our plan for world domination! In the future we plan to play music live to people at gigs festivals and get people to listen and hopefully love our tunes.
Tickets for the September 14th Butserfest 2013 are on sale now for 20 (plus online booking fee of 1.75) from butserfest.co.uk/tickets
To avoid the booking fee buy in person from one of our local outlets (20 cash only): Horndean Parish Council; Petersfield Town Council; Bohunt School Liphook; The Petersfield School (TPS) Petersfield; Queen Elizabeth Country Park visitor centre; Alton Sports Centre Mill Chase Leisure Centre and The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre in Havant.
Discounted group tickets are now available at 90 for 5 (including fees) also from butserfest.co.uk/tickets.
To find out more about the festival go to butserfest.co.uk facebook.com/butserfest or follow @butserfest on Twitter.
ENDS
Pic: 13:32 (left to right Tom Brailey Kieran Murphy and Ollie Silvester)
Contact: Claire Hughes Service Manager (Community) 023 9244 6633
Media contact: Richard Wells Communications Officer 01730 234082
Notes to editors
BUTSERFEST LINEUP:
Main Stage
We Are The Ocean
Mallory Knox (Kerrang! Best British Newcomer nominees)
Fearless Vampire Killers (Kerrang! Best British Newcomer nominees)
Natives
Arcane Roots
Attention Thieves
Max Raptor
Subsource
We Start Partys
A Tale Of Two Cities
Also on the main stage will be 13:32 from The Petersfield School winners of our school bands competition.
Glory or Death stage
Bleed From Within – Best New Band winner at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods 2013
Heights
Hacktivist
Marmozets (Kerrang! Best British Newcomer nominees)
Hildamay
Continents
Palm Reader
The Valiant
Now Voyager
Aurora
