Town to host first throwback festival

Big name music stars, including Tinchy Stryder, So Solid Crew, and Artful Dodger will perform at the first Wiltshire Throwback Festival this year.

The 18+ festival will take place at Oakfield stadium, Melksham, from 20 -21 June.

An application for the two-day festival was approved by Wiltshire Council's licensing sub committee on Wednesday, after other organisations withdrew their objections.

Nico Menghini, co director of festival organisers Jarboom told the Local Democracy Reporting Service "We're ecstatic, especially considering the amount of work we've put in to satisfy the authorities."

Wiltshire Highways and Wiltshire Police had expressed concern about congestion and parking. The police also said the organiser's security plans were insufficient and there was no drugs or alcohol management plan.

Melksham Town Council had also said that they were worried about the noise it would create.

In response, the festival directors submitted plans drawn up by professional consultants, including medical assessment, fire risks, noise management, drugs and alcohol, waste management and security.

Mr Menghini said they were "very close" to selling out the 3,000 tickets allocated for each day and "we're already in the early planning stages for year two".

"We went with the throwback theme because everyone loves a bit of nostalgia and being reminded of happier times," he said.

Friday's line-up includes Liz Mitchell - one of the original singers Boney M - along with ska band Bad Manners, glam rockers Doctor and the Medics, and 80s kids TV star Timmy Mallet.

On Saturday, the line-up includes 80s and 90s chart-toppers from the hip-hop, R&B and UK garage scenes, including So Solid Crew, Tinchy Stryder, Artful Dodger, and Blazin' Squad. Boyband 911 are also on the bill, while early 2000s TV presenters Dick & Dom will be DJing.

"Dick & Dom especially were a no-brainer for me – I knew I had to have them at the first festival," Mr Menghini said.

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