Metalheads will be gathering in Petersfield this weekend, July 24, as Gedfest returns to the town.
Metalheads will be gathering in Petersfield this weekend, July 24, as Gedfest returns to the town.
An all-day festival of heavy rock and metal music, Gedfest is on Saturday, July 24, at the Festival Hall, from 1pm until 11pm.
The event was star
ted two years ago by students Ged Mansfield and Holly Hill, both now 19 years old.
It was set up in order to give an opportunity for local unsigned and newly signed bands to play.
Both Ged and Holly are musicians who grew up in the area. Ged said: "We set up Gedfest two years ago as college students with the vision of creating opportunities for young, local bands to gain recognition and to experience playing with more established, signed bands. Having seen a huge array of talented, unsigned bands in Petersfield and the south coast we found it frustrating that there were few viable outlets for those bands to show off their capabilities.
"Furthermore, we really wanted to put on a gig that would serve as something for the young people in the Petersfield area to attend and enjoy. Having grown up in the area we noticed that there were few events aimed at, but not specifically for, young people, and so aimed to create something that we would enjoy to attend."
Gedfest last year was also at the Festival Hall, and sold about 300 tickets.
This year, Ged and Holly say, "more money has been spent on more and bigger bands, and a bigger and better light and sound set up, in the hope of attracting more people, and a large security team in order to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
"The intention is to make this an annual festival growing in size and success - the planning is an all year thing which we fit in amongst our studies."
Holly said: "We have received help in various forms (ranging from financial support to advice on various issues) from East Hampshire District Council.
"The Festival Hall and Town Council have also been extremely helpful and have encouraged and supported our ideas.
"Despite being young, we really want to make it really professional and could see it turning in to an annual attraction, getting bigger every year. The whole day is set up to better last year, and to generally be a better day. Having kept what small profits we made last year to put towards this years event, we have been able to book bigger bands, as well as bringing back some of last's most popular bands.
"Aside from the music, all other aspects of the event have been improved this year, as we will have a whole security team, first aiders, and professional sound and lighting people. We are incredibly driven to ensure that Gedfest 2010 is better than last year's on every level."
Ged's brother James is a police officer and has been helping arrange security measures so that everyone can enjoy Gedfest sensibly.
He explained: "The event is licensed and has a strict ID policy – on the door, tamper-proof wristbands and ID-ing at the bar.
"Under-18s are obviously welcome but there are strict policies in place to make sure they don't get hold of booze."
A number of bands from last year (including local acts Alternative Carpark and Sorcerer's Spell) have asked to play again and are returning.
There are 13 acts in total, with five nationally renowned and signed bands, and the others all from the East Hampshire area.
The web address for Gedfest is: www.myspace.com/gedfest Tickets are £10, and can be bought in advance at www.gedfest.bigcartel.com
Everyone who buys a ticket in advance is entered into a competition to win £40 of Nevada Music Vouchers, and also signed t-shirts from the bands playing at Gedfest.
Ged said: "Last year was a great success which we aspire to improve on. Gedfest promises to be a really good day again this year and we hope to see as many people there as possible."
