The Boomtown Fair is a vibrant and immersive music festival held annually in England. Known for its eclectic lineup and immersive theatrical experience, the festival attracts thousands of music and arts enthusiasts from all over the world.
The roots of Boomtown Fair trace back to 2009 when it started as a small gathering in Winchester. Over the years, it has evolved into a sprawling city-like event with multiple themed districts, each offering its own unique atmosphere and musical genres. From reggae and drum and bass to hip-hop and punk, the festival showcases a diverse range of music styles across its numerous stages.
This year, the Boomtown Fair celebrates its 15th anniversary as we begin Chapter 2 ‘The Twin Trail’ of their re-born storyline. The event is scheduled to take place from August 10th to 14th, offering attendees an unforgettable experience filled with music, art, and community.
Here are 10 reasons why you need to visit Boomtown this year
1. Ethos
The wonderful world of Boomtown prides itself on pushing a forward-thinking message that sticks with each of its visitors. Beyond the music, theatrics, and sheer magical moments, they want you to take away their core values that will help to create a progressive and fair world. Their message is spread into 6 ethos pillars that bring together forward-thinking philosophies that resonate with their visitors and can be replicated throughout everyday life, to create a fairer, healthier, and safer world for all.
2. Area designs
Boomtown is not your ordinary festival. More of a city than a town, the campsites and districts span far and wide throughout the South Downs National Park. Split into a variety of districts, the town morphs immaculate, weird, and wonderful designs on both giant stages and small with endless labyrinths of immersive areas that host activities, shops, food and drink vendors, and a plethora of theatrical displays. As well as its acclaimed stages and town areas, the woodland areas are taken over to make forest stages turning them into mystical backdrops for a variety of acts.
3. Crowd
Everyone gets into the Boomtown spirit. Crazy costumes, bright and colourful outfits, endless props and toys, and anything else loud, fun, and exciting. With plenty of shops providing up-cycled costumes and wacky garments, even if you don’t pack your own crazy outfit, you will end up in one. Alongside everyone looking tip-top, the crowd is fun, energetic, and respectful. Taking the town’s core values to heart attendees get stuck in with interactive and often mind-boggling performances, and of course, they party through all hours of the day.
4. Location
Hampshire’s South Downs National Park is a picturesque combination of forests and valleys that covers over 1600 square kilometers. The variety of campsites are scattered around the outskirts of the festival and packed with facilities, activities, and other amenities. As you get closer to the center of the festival, navigating up and down the gorgeous valleys, you eventually arrive at a party utopia where tall stages and other wonders can be seen.
5. Food & Drink
Standing out from the crowd, Boomtown offers a huge variety of food and drink vendors that aren’t at your average festival. Of course, there is a huge selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at the bars, but individual vendors offer frozen cocktails, smoothies, milkshakes, slushies, and more. In terms of food, if you want it, there is most likely a stall serving it. Mixtures of vegan and vegetarian options can be found spread throughout. Drinks, sweets, snacks, and delicious cuisines from all around the world can be enjoyed.
6. Storyline
Boomtown is a vibrant living theatre, steeped in a rich history and an ever-evolving storyline. Its bustling streets are filled with numerous characters who lead the citizens through a maze of exciting adventures, just waiting to be explored. As each chapter unfolds, the mythology of Boomtown deepens, presenting an endless array of stories for you to become a part of and craft your own unique experience. You can re-live all the chapters from previous years using the link here.
7. Line up
The Boomtown Fair has a lineup unlike many festivals. While it does feature mind-blowing headline acts like The Gorlliaz, Cyprus Hill, The Streets, and more from previous years, the festival prides itself on showcasing music from all genres. The underground music will have you raving all week, there’s the best of dub and reggae, rock and roll, psytrance, neo-soul, blues and the list goes on. It is the perfect place to discover your new favorite group, artists, and sound.
8. Exploration
With so many districts offering huge adventures, the team behind Boomtown wants you to explore all that they have to offer. Each main stage could be its own festival, the forest stages offer magical trails in and out of different music, and the towns come with a huge mix of interactive art displays and theatrical scenes to fully immerse you in the Boomtown experience. Whatever your style is, be sure to make the most of it and roam around this wonderful place as much as you can.
9. Carnivals/Parades
Throughout the day you can lose yourself in one of the Fair’s many parades. Each one will have a different theme, with loud instruments, incredibly designed costumes, dancers, circus acts, and more. Not only are there epic carnivals on the move in the town, but there as must-see opening and closing ceremonies, that dive into the storyline and feature a huge display of pyrotechnics, dancers, theatrics, and amazing music.
10. Memories
Boomtown is a place of respect, exploration, creativity and culture. In return for the countless hours that go into designing the festival, the talented artists and musicians who are showcased there, the main thing is to meet good people and leave with bags of memories. As we mentioned, this is a festival like no other, so we are sure you will!
Boomtown Chapter Two: The Twin Trail is just around the corner and the last remaining packages are going quick! Secure yours here now.
Keep an eye out this Friday for the full lineup reveal.
ratemyrave 