Proud of local talent (From Witney Gazette)

Proud of local talent

9:39am Saturday 18th August 2007 in Witney By David Horne

WOODSTOCK is making its own mark on the music scene as it gears up for the fourth live festival.

While the original Woodstock festival, in America, attracted some of the world's biggest acts of the time, like Jimmi Hendrix and Grateful Dead, the tourist town is proud to showcase local talent.

At least 35 acts are lined up to put a beat into the streets and pubs starting on the evening of Friday, August 24, and going all the way through the Bank Holiday weekend.

Organiser, Chris Baylis, says it's an exciting, mouthwatering four days and is set to be 'the best yet'.

Woodstock Live is now part of the town's calendar, having started in 2005 with two small one day events, and then expanded last year into a Bank Holiday music festival.

Back again for 2007 are the two musicians who were the very first act to play in 2005, guitar vocalist Simon Stafford and mandolin player Rod Craig, who are Cooper Black, one of many Woodstock-based bands making an appearance.

Among the highlights are Barnabus, using guitar and cello mixes, Matt Sage, who will be bringing a mini-orchestral sound to the acoustic stage, and Tim Friers, and the Mercenaries, who played earlier this year at Charlbury's Riverside festival.

The music is going to be spread over the four days between a stage in the town square, another at the New Road recreation ground and four pubs, Star Inn, Marlborough Arms, Black Prince, and Woodstock Arms.

At the town square, music is live on both Saturday and Sunday, from midday to 9pm.

All is free, except for the Sunday event at the recreation ground where Woodstock Football Club is running a family fun day, entrance £2, with music from 6pm.

Chris said: "It's difficult to tell how many people will be coming, but last year, we got up to 400 at any one time. The most exciting thing is the opportunity for local bands to show what they can do, and we've been lucky to get local businesses involved in sponsoring the event."

They include Solid State Logic, at Begbroke, Woodstock's biggest employer, Owen Mumford, the Silken Dalliance shop, and The Real Wood Furniture Company.

The name of Woodstock certainly has some kind of pull for music lovers, added Chris.

"It is really weird how many Americans come in and say, hey is this the music place. You feel a bit silly telling them Woodstock was actually in their own country," he said.

"But 2009 is the 40th anniversary of the big festival, and we're hoping to make that something special for us. Plans are already in hand."