Holbeach Music and Beer Festival organiser Sean Taylor is getting ready for this year’s event in August

Preparations are well underway for the return of Holbeach Beer and Music Festival later this summer.

Event organiser Sean Taylor is promising fresh acts which have never performed at the festival before – including a special tribute to Wham legend George Michael.

The road to this year’s festival, which kicks off on Friday, August 4, and runs until Sunday, August 6, has not been an easy one following the sale of the previous site on the outskirts of Holbeach.

But thankfully a new home has been found for the festival in Fen Field, Frogs Abbey Gate, Holbeach Fen – just a stone’s throw from the previous site.

And Sean and his team have already started work on getting the 20 acre field ready for this year’s festival goers when they arrive for this year’s ticket only event.

Sean said: “At the end of last year we found out we had lost the previous home and I honestly thought that was the end of the festival but after a campaign a nice piece of land which was suitable came up and we were able to agree the premises licence.

“It is a big relief as we have put so much effort into it. This is my nineth year and I wasn’t ready to let it go.

“We have a blank canvas here so over the next two weeks are we putting up the fencing.

“Over the next month or so, things are really going to ramp up.

“It’s a lot of work but I really enjoy it.”

To go with the new home, there are also a number of exciting changes to this year’s festival.

The main stage is bigger with digital live camera screen behind the acts and there will also be an extra screen outside the beer tent showing live stage footage.

Sean has arranged for a free silent disco – including a kids only session – and there will also be an acoustic stage in the beer tent provided by Rob Frost along with a music playing in between the main stage acts.

He said: “We think it’s really important to keep the music fresh and exciting so this year we have all new acts that have never performed at the Holbeach festival before since we started back in 2015.”

Headlining this year’s festival is Rob Lamberti and his full band which will be celebrating the songs of George Michael. This will be a special performance as this year would have been the Careless Whisper singer’s 60th birthday.

Other tribute bands which will be playing over the weekend are: Little Mix, Foo Fighters, Madness, Katy Perry, The Police, Eagles and Rolling Stones.

While The Expletives, Euan Morris, Tori Lamour, Lounge Lizards, Soul Intention, Instant High, Moskito, Paisley Circus, The Forever Test, Archy & The Astronauts will be the support bands.

Other attractions include a DJ Area, VIP Marquee, Funfair, Trade Stands, Giant Sand Pit, Kids Zone and Food Stands.

Camping and glamping are also on offer during the weekend, with the camp site opening on Thursday, August 3.

Entertainment will be on offer on that night for campers and glampers.

Another change to this year’s festival is that there will be no ticket sales on the gate so people are urged to book in advance.

For more information about the event go to: www.holbeachfestival.co.uk

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