Line-up announced for new Exeter Beats music festival
Exeter Food Festival has announced an all-new evening event for 2018 from Friday 4th- Sunday 6th May. Exeter Beats will see top acts including Mad Dog Mcrea, Madness tribute One Step Behind and David Live, a David Bowie tribute, entertain the crowds in Exeter Castle Courtyard.
The event, hosted by Radio Exe, will bring the historic courtyard to life with a full line-up of top quality acts each evening plus regional street food and local ales, ciders and cocktails.
Michael Caines MBE, co-founder of the festival said: “Music has always been a hugely popular part of the festival and this year we really wanted to take things up a notch. In addition to live bands throughout the day at the food festival, the 3 Exeter Beats evening gigs have brilliant headliners ready to entertain the crowds plus plenty of local street food and drinks. This year we’ve got a larger undercover area in case of wet weather. Exeter Beats 2018 will bring three nights of top quality entertainment to the city and we’re really excited about it.”
Friday night headliners, Mad Dog Mcrea, blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz and bluegrass and never fail to capture the audience with their infectious songs. It was at Glastonbury in 2013 that the band became recognised nationally and started their journey to becoming acclaimed recording artists.
Exeter Beats – Headline Acts
Friday 4th May
Headlining: Mad Dog Mcrea
Saturday 5th May
Headlining: One Step Behind (Madness tribute) and The Brass Funkeys
Sunday 6th May
Headlining: David Live (David Bowie tribute) and Soul Funktion
Cllr Rachel Sutton, Visit Exeter said: “The food festival is a key annual event for the city drawing both locals and many visitors to the area. We are delighted to support the launch of Exeter Beats which we anticipate will be hugely popular.”
Exeter Beats will have a large undercover area to keep the party going and the crowds dry in the event of wet weather. The event is supported by Exeter City Council and sponsored by Otter Brewery and Radio Exe.
Patrick McCaig, Otter Brewery said: “We’ve long been involved with the festival and are excited to be supporting the first Exeter Beats.”
The award-winning Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink returns for its 15th consecutive year on the May Day Bank Holiday, from Saturday 5th to Monday 7th May 2018. A firm fixture on the national food festival calendar, the event is held in the scenic grounds of Exeter Castle Courtyard and Northernhay Gardens. From celebrity chefs and producers to workshops and live music all day, visitors can expect a long weekend of foodie indulgence.
Exeter Castle Courtyard will feature live music from local musicians and bands to enjoy through the day whilst savouring the Festival Bar, with street food served throughout the day and late into the evening. The daytime line up can be found on the website.
Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink is a not for profit event. For more information or to buy tickets visit: www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk
