The Buzzcocks and Stornoway headline this year’s Compton Festival

The Buzzcocks and Stornoway plus Madness tribute band One Step Behind are among the acts at this year’s Compton Festival.

In its fourth year, the festival returns on Friday and Saturday, August 21 and 22, bringing “two days of live music, family entertainment, great food and local drinks to the beautiful village of Compton, nestled in the heart of the South Downs National Park.”

Compton residents Luke Albery, Andrew Simmans and Greg Choppen came up with the idea of a beer festival, and from there the Compton Festival was born.

Greg said: “I moved into the village of Compton five years ago and I was in a pub with Andrew who is the chairman of the recreation ground where the festival is run. He was bemoaning that it was not used much and I said why don't we have a beer festival. He spoke to the committee and they thought it was a great idea and then we've got Luke involved. We very quickly decided it needed to be a proper festival and it needed music and crafts as well as beer.

“For the first one we winged it really. We got a temporary licence, and we begged, stole or borrowed various things. It was just very much cobbled together. We got better in the second year. We agreed that if we were going to do this, we needed to do it properly. It has always been two days. Audience-wise the festival has steadily grown from about 200 or 300 or so in the first year to this year when we're talking about 1,000 plus. In the last two years we've moved to having two stages instead of one, and the quality of the food has increased and the quality of the entertainment has increased.

“It's very much about having a proper festival. A lot of people love it. It's not commercial. It's run by real people. We could not do it without the volunteers. We do it on Friday and Saturday because on Sunday we have the take-down day. It's all about community, and it's all about enjoyment.”

As for the Buzzcocks, Luke is friends with the drummer, and the team are delighted to have them. Greg said: “I like any of those old bands that are still going and can still turn out a tune. They're great fun.

“I am a big fan of our other big headliner, Stornoway. They've got a new album. They are indie folk. They've been around for 15 years or so, and I saw them at Glastonbury 12 years ago. It's quite a special moment for me to be able to acquire them for our festival here. They're beautiful songs. I know all the songs. They are the perfect fit for our festival. The Buzzcocks are a little bit out there as a punk band but we really want to have variety.”

Greg added: “Compton Festival combines an outstanding live music line-up with a relaxed countryside atmosphere that appeals to music lovers, families and anyone looking for a memorable summer weekend.”

Also playing will be the Red Hot Tribute Peppers. Alongside the music, visitors can enjoy: circus performers including stilt walkers, jugglers and aerial artists; children's activities and creative workshops; arts and crafts; storytelling; holistic therapies; a wide variety of street food including Thai, Indian, Jamaican and crêpes; more than 20 local beers and ciders; and on-site camping.

“One of the festival's defining features is that children under 18 go free, making it one of the best-value family festivals in the south.”

It takes place on Compton Recreation Ground, Compton. Tickets on www.comptonfestival.co.uk.