Entertainment Swindon

For most festival organisers, setting up the very first festival, they take it slow and easy! The very first Glastonbury at Worthy Farm started off life as the Pilton Pop, Folk & Blues Festival, taking place on 19th September 1970, the day after legend Jimi Hendrix died. Originally a one day festival with free camping and free milk, headlined by Marc Bolan’s Tyrannosaurus Rex who performed in replacement of the Kinks in front of 1500 people just before they leapt to fame with 11 top ten hits, including 4 number ones.

Fast forward to 2024 and Cotswold Fest organiser Oakley Hayward hit the road, not running, but at the controls of rocket! Speaking to Oakley asking why he decided to go large on the inaugural Cotswold Fest, he had this to say “No point in going easy in my books, hit it hard and go all in to make something special, for people to remember”.

Throughout the weekend, traders and festival goers had just one thing to say about the inaugural festival, ‘it was fantastic, awesome, amazing!’ and every other word to describe what an awesome time had by all.

Taking to Trip Advisor, 5star reviews include; Neil C. saying “This was the first time this event has been held, and it was fantastic. Everything from the organisation through to the stalls, attractions, food, drink and music was first class.”

Emma B, also taking to Trip Advisor said; “Fantastic atmosphere, really clean toilets and friendly, very helpful staff! Definitely coming back next year! Well done! Loved every minute – thank you.”

Our Sunday tickets winner Jackie Jacks spoke to us about her families Cotswold Fest experience, saying “It was a beautiful sunny day, lots to do for myself and my three children and dog. Loved that the festival allowed dogs so we could have a full family day out.”

Jacks went on to say “We had a fantastic day all round with lots of rides and stalls, as well as lots of fun free things to do like bracelet making and beanbag toss and other games to entertain the kids. It was great that the organisers really took effort to think about dogs with lots of dog stations to keep peoples dogs hydrated, and of course there was plenty of paces to eat and chill whilst listening to the live bands and choirs. We will definitely be back next year!”

Kicking off the festival on the Friday was local Swindon lad Jimmy Moore who entertained the audience with humour and an amazing voice, a truly unique, fun performer! In between the performers saw a great selection of DJs, including DJ Incision, DJ Menace and DJ Dex to entertain the festival goers between bands which was a great touch by the organisers.

Saturday saw the amazing performance by the children of the Westrop School Choir who wowed the audience with their own takes on classic rock songs like We Will Rock You by Queen. Saturday also saw performances by Blue 2 The Bone, Busy Fool, Chasing Kites and Mellow Matic, finishing with headliners Rock the 90s, who got both parents and the kids raving to the best of the best 90s hits. Close your eyes and you really thought you were listening to the voices of Janice Robins & Dominique Atkins to name a few from the iconic era of British Dance artists. Lead Singer of Rock The 90s, Debbie-Ann Sebire voice is nothing less than stunning!

To end the Saturday, was a spectacular fireworks display, blowing up the sky from behind the the stage!

Sunday kicked off with Lord Irving, followed by the amazing Pink Mac tribute band rocking classic hits from both Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac that saw many of the audience get up and sing along with the band.

To close the festival was NOASIS, the definitive tribute band to the legendary Manchester super group Oasis who formed in 2006 and has toured extensively performing all the groups iconic anthems, giving the ultimate Oasis live experience!

Besides the main stage performances, the organisers really thought of everything to give festival goers the ultimate best weekend possible from a fairground with all the popular rides, The World Famous Ken Fox Wall of Death motorcycle act to a state of the art Flight Simulator, free kids games, Go-Karts and Wipe-Out challenge, Circus Skills provided by local Highworth business Fandangos, lots of stalls, including jewellery by Bond & Fuse, art and festival fashion stalls, airbrush tattoos by the amazing Shades of Grey Body Art, creating stunning works of art getting everyone in the festival mood, Oakes Hot Sauce who provided a unique fruity selection of hot sauces from the Cotswolds and award winning Festival Trade Records providing the very best in vinyl records, and band tshirts from Guns n Roses and Iron Maiden to Nirvana.

When you felt a bit peckish, Cotswold Fest had you covered with an amazing selection of food from award winning Cotswold Chippy offering all the best British classics like Cod and Chips, Indian street food from Gurdev’s Indian Street Food with mouth watering chaat, samosas, halloumi fries and spring rolls, for the vegans amongst the festival goers, there was Roots Plant Kitchen who put together a tasty option to meat including their delicious Loaded Popcorn Roots ‘Chick Out’ & Fries!

Also being served up was artisan pizza makers ROSI Pizza, who provided classic wood fired roman style pizza and for desert there was Sugar Shack providing the ultimate fix for those sweet tooth festival goers.

To wash down the awesome selection of food and to keep refreshed throughout the weekends festival, there was a wide selection of drinks for all, including the most refreshing rum punch we’ve ever tasted from the wonderful Islands Finest Rum Punch, Kaleb’s Cider serving up Hawkstone Cider & Larger, including their new dark fruits addition Hawkstone Hedgerow.

And if that wasn’t enough, for the gin lovers, there was The Gin & Sin Co and in the main beer tent offering a wide range of beer, larger, cider from local brewers Arkell’s Brewery as well as wine, cocktails and Pimm’s.

Catching up with organiser Oakley Hayward, it was apparent that he was extremely humbled by all the help and support from all the volunteers, venders and sponsors, Oakley especially wanted to express his appreciation to The Lakes by Yoo, VP Chauffeurs, OHWORKS, StayGo Campervan Hire & Kaleb’s Cider and of course to all the amazing festival goers that purchased tickets.

In asking if Oakley and the team were ready for a rest, the answer was “A quick one as we’ve got Cotswold Fest 2025 to start organising!”

Check out our Facebook Entertainment Swindon Official for all our photos and video of this awesome festival.