HAMPSHIRE music stars will play alongside some of the best up and coming bands from across the country at a brand new festival.
Popular indie rockers New Desert Blues, Bel Esprit, Howland and Faux are just four of the Southampton bands that will appear at the inaugural Close Up Festival at The Railway Inn, Winchester on Saturday, August 8.
Topping the bill on the main stage is exciting new band Lisbon, an upbeat four piece from Newcastle.
Their Game of Thrones inspired latest single, Khaleesi, has already led to singer Matthew Varty, guitarist Joe Atkinson, bassist Gaz Turkington and drummer Alex Wright recording a BBC Introducing session at Maida Vale for Radio One’s Huw Stephens.
The all-day session at The Railway will also see Southampton favourite Sean McGowan headline the garden acoustic stage.
It’s another big show for the singer-songwriter after playing at Common People festival in May and supporting his hero Billy Bragg at The Joiners in June.
Winchester’s Josh Savage is also on the acoustic stage fresh from a batch of gigs in America including at South by Southwest festival.
He’s alongside Liverpool’s Sam Meaghan and Kent’s The Floodgates.
The festival is a home-coming gig for Winchester’s Cavaliers and it’s not too far to travel for local bands like Sahara and Tribeca compared to others who are coming from far and wide.
Tickets for the Close Up Festival are £14.
Richard Derbyshire
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