Waterlooville Music Festival, which first started back in 2006, is set to take place during the week commencing 11th June 2023, with once again a brilliant line up of entertainment.
The week opens on the Sunday with an evening concert themed around King Charles III’s Coronation; a Choir and a Brass Ensemble of skilled musicians together with Organist, specially brought together for this concert of music reflecting on Coronations past and present. There is opportunity for audience participation in some of the singing. A right royal night out!
On Monday 12th June, there is a free of charge lunchtime Organ Recital by Liz Le Grove. A highly accomplished Organist, Liz is Director of Academic Studies at the Royal Marines School of Music. Then in the evening, another group of highly accomplished musicians has been specially put together under the name of the Waterlooville Music Festival Chamber Ensemble, and will be performing a selection of pieces under the title “All Creatures Great and Small”. A magical evening of beautifully performed well known classics.
Tuesday 13th June, the lunch time free of charge concert is performed by Springwood School. In the evening there is a fantastic double bill – the Waterlooville group of the UK’s most exciting contemporary choir – Waterlooville Rock Choir – joined by Winchester Flute Choir.
The Wednesday features two highlight events – for the free lunchtime concert be entertained by the Cowplain Ukulele Players with your favourite melodies. Then in the evening, the ever popular Band of the Hampshire Constabulary – probably Hampshire’s leading concert wind band which has been performing to the very highest standards since it was established over 120 years ago.
Thursday 15th June’s free lunchtime concert features the talented students of Oaklands Catholic School. Then in the evening it is Folk and Ale Night! – with a revival of Ramskyte, a name from the past well known to Portsmouth Folk music followers – back around the Millennium they were the leading local folk group releasing four albums, and now are back just as good as they used to be. The evening also features Olly Alsford.
All of the above evening concerts, tickets are priced at just £6.
Then on Friday 16th, there are free concerts both at lunchtime and during the afternoon. For the lunch break, be entertained by the students of Horndean Technology College. Then in the afternoon the festival has a real treat – the hugely talented Robbie Rich, playing Saxophone, flute, clarinet, recorder – sometimes even simultaneously – melodic and light hearted this entertainer will present a lovely way to spend an afternoon, whilst the festival catering team will have Cream Teas with home made scones available to purchase for your further enjoyment.
Moving on to Friday evening 16th, the festival has its Tribute Night. It’s Rocket Max – this professional act was originally booked in 2019, but was postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID, and then in 2022 had to be postponed again because Rocket Max had a long term contract as a star guest performer with a major cruise line. But at last Rocket Max is coming to Waterlooville. This internationally renowned Elton John impersonator is the only tribute act that accurately and faithfully reproduces the look, sound and energy of a real Elton John concert. Join ROCKET MAX for this trip down the yellow brick road with selection of Elton’s most well known songs performed with all the flamboyance and virtuosity of the much-loved star.
For the performance at Waterlooville Music Festival 2023 ‘Elton’ will be joined by his full live band.
If you can’t get tickets for Elton John’s last UK concert at Glastonbury on 25 June 2023, then Waterlooville Music Festival has the next best thing! Elton at Waterlooville costs just £10.
Then on Saturday 17th June the festival concludes with its usual Grand Finale – Last Night of the Proms – performed by the Meridian Winds from Southampton with their Musical Director and Conductor Don Lloyd. With all the pomp, ceremony and flagwaving of the real thing, Don Lloyd has conducted this event at each Waterlooville Music Festival since 2007, but he has decided to retire from leading the Meridian Winds and the Waterlooville Music Festival 2023 concert will be his final concert as Conductor. So expect some special extras and surprises from Don and the Band as they say goodbye. An evening not to be missed. Tickets are just £10.
As well as tickets for each evening, Passport tickets are available providing entry to all events and are great value. For all evening concerts there is a licensed bar, with real ales provided by local Bowmans Brewery.
June 11th to June 17th is the week when Waterlooville becomes the entertainment capital of Hampshire.
People often complain that Waterlooville has little entertainment going on – so here is the opportunity to enjoy a week when that is not the case and support this community run event, organised and staged entirely by volunteers.
Tickets can be purchased by credit card at the festival website (no booking fees).
Much more information at
www.waterloovillemusicfestival.org.uk
