The party of parties

Tracy Spiers looks forward to what’s likely to be the best 40th birthday party ever

Forty years ago, a festival was born in Henley-on-Thames. Its mission was to stage a music and arts event for its local community. Today, whilst its core purpose remains the same, the festival itself looks extraordinarily different and has international prowess.

Think of the best possible way of celebrating a ruby anniversary or a 40th birthday, and I can guarantee you still wouldn’t top what must be the party of parties, namely Henley Festival.

Great British Life: Aeronautical antics at Henley Festival Aeronautical antics at Henley Festival (Image: image courtesy of Henley Festival)

Set against the stunning backdrop of the town’s picturesque riverside, this five-day black-tie boutique celebration features some of the best music, comedy, visual arts, and entertainment delivered by world-famous performers including Sir Tom Jones, Craig David, The Script, Pete Tong, Jo Brand and Boney M. It will end with a magical 40th Anniversary Celebratory Evening with Welsh superstar mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins OBE and sensational singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti taking to Henley Festival’s iconic Floating Stage.

And of course, any festive occasion must have food and fireworks and this celebration, the biggest to date, will not disappoint. Henley is the festival for food lovers, with Michelin starred chefs including Angela Hartnett MBE, Albert Roux, Michel Roux Junior, and Daniel Clifford. New for 2022, Henley Festival welcomes the prestigious ‘Dish’ to the stunning Riverside Restaurant offering an outstanding fine dining experience of exceptional quality and innovative design. But there will also be street food, the raft of pop-up bars and restaurants adorning the riverside. At the end of every evening, there will be a spectacular firework display designed by the passionate pyrotechnic professionals at Titanium Fireworks, the team behind some of the UK’s biggest firework shows in the last decade including The Mayor of London New Year’s Eve celebrations, Liverpool River of Light and the London 2012 Olympics.

Henley Festival takes place from Wednesday, July 6 to Sunday, July 10 and looking at the programme, it promises to be a fully immersive, sensual, uplifting experience and one which will be talked about in years to come. Before I unpack the highlights, I asked Jo Bausor, CEO of Henley Festival, how the festival has grown from its humble beginnings to reach such a wide-reaching audience with such an impressive line-up.

Great British Life: The UK's most glamorous black-tie festival The UK's most glamorous black-tie festival (Image: image courtesy of Henley Festival)

Forty years ago

‘It started as a classical musical festival off the back of Henley Royal Regatta. All the structures were put up for the Regatta and it was thought it would be a good idea to use them to put on an arts and music event for the community. Over time it has extended to five nights and the classical music and visual arts are still important. The audience demographic has changed, and we have introduced more popular artists over time. It still has a beautiful feel about it and now there is something for everyone,’ Jo explains.

Great British Life: Pop-up bars and restaurants adorning the riverside Pop-up bars and restaurants adorning the riverside (Image: image courtesy of Henley Festival)

The audiences range from teens up to the 70/80 age group and Jo says it is good to have Sir Tom Jones back again. He has a local connection to Henley as his son lives nearby.

One of the most important aspects of this not-for-profit event is the fact it is still here and still supporting the local community. Although unable to take place during 2020, Henley Festival took place in September last year and organisers are thrilled to be able to celebrate the four decades this summer.

Great British Life: Henley Festival will open with The Script performing on the Floating Stage Henley Festival will open with The Script performing on the Floating Stage (Image: Copyright ©Kevin Westenberg ALL Rights Reserved)

Supporting the next generation

Jo explains that one of her passions is to ensure the next generation of performers both on stage, and those who work so hard behind the scenes, are supported and given the opportunity to nurture their skills and talents for the future.

‘Over the years we have supported externally, but this year it felt right to launch our own charitable initiative called RISE to support emerging talent in front and behind the spotlight.

We are taking a 360-degree look at all talented individuals or groups, whatever their story, and providing the opportunity to take the first steps into the exciting world of performance and creativity both public facing and back of house,’ says Jo.

‘Talent is everywhere but opportunities to get the experience, whether that is working with leading companies in sound, lighting, stage management, or performing is hard to find. So, we’re going to introduce a work experience programme for these disciplines including sound engineers, lighting designers, stage managers etc to give aspiring young people the chance to experience working in an industry that’s notoriously difficult to get into.’

Observing technicians work behind the scenes at such events as Henley Festival as well as watching leading performers on stage is both inspiring and uplifting. So, what can audiences expect to see for the 40th Anniversary?

Great British Life: Maisie Adam Maisie Adam (Image: Maisie Adam)

Great British Life: Enjoy vintage fair rides at Henley Festival Enjoy vintage fair rides at Henley Festival (Image: image courtesy of Henley Festival)

The 40th Anniversary festival

Henley Festival is billed as an exclusive boutique black-tie festival and celebrates the best of the UK and International music and arts. What is unique about it is that it is embraces a vibrant programme featuring pop to world music, classical to jazz, includes comedy, enchanting troupes of entertainers, vintage fun fair rides, dining, dancing and concludes each evening with a jaw-dropping firework spectacular. The show begins as soon as Festival goers step onto the banks of the Thames and enjoy a glass of fizz on the Moët Champagne lawn.

As Jo Bausor has explained with such a rich programme offering a variety of music genres, every musical taste is catered for. On Wednesday, July 6, Henley Festival will open with The Script performing on the Floating Stage. The blockbusting Irish trio, Danny O’Donoghue, Glen Power, and Mark Sheehan, make up one of the world’s most successful bands and will be wowing the Henley crowd with their biggest hits and fan favourites from their career-spanning greatest hits album Tales from The Script.

Great British Life: Henley at sunset Henley at sunset (Image: Garry Jones Photography)

It is euro-disco phenomenon Boney M. with original lead singer Liz Mitchell, who will bring Henley Festival’s opening night to a fabulous close in the Festival Club. As a child of the seventies, I grew up singing By the Rivers of Babylon, Ma Baker, and Brown Girl in the Ring. As my maiden name was Baker, I was often named Ma Baker and many of us enjoyed singing familiar lyrics such as ‘she looks like a sugar and a plum, plum plum.’ Many of those attending Henley Festival will be thrilled to see Liz, who sang the hit Christmas song, Mary’s Boy Child and her fellow musicians. On Thursday, July 7, Craig David, one the most successful artists in UK chart history, will perform an epic evening of his best-loved hits and on the Friday, the legendary, incomparable Sir Tom Jones will perform on the stunning Floating Stage with music from his 41st studio album Surrounded by Time, considered his most personal collection to date.

Great British Life: Global dance music legend Pete Tong will be bringing his Ibiza Classics to Henley Global dance music legend Pete Tong will be bringing his Ibiza Classics to Henley (Image: Creative Commons)

On Saturday, revered DJ, broadcaster, and global dance music legend Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics with The Heritage Orchestra and Jules Buckley, will present an unforgettable evening of iconic classical electronic music and this year’s Festival will close with an extraordinary 40th Anniversary Celebratory Evening on Sunday, July 10. Katherine Jenkins OBE will be accompanied by The National Symphony Orchestra for an unmissable sunset performance of her classical repertoire, before the whole event is brought to an unforgettable close by the sensational singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti.

‘It’s such a wonderful, magical festival. It is completely unique. I have enjoyed watching as a member of the audience in the past, but I love working with the team and being part of it. It’s so much fun,’ admits Jo.

Great British Life: Take to the water at Henley Take to the water at Henley (Image: image courtesy of Henley Festival)

All that Jazz

Henley Festival also has its very own Jazz Club in the Spiegel Tent and kicking off the events on Wednesday evening will be London-based trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Kevin Davy, followed by a barnstorming set from the critically acclaimed funk and soul collective Brother Strut. On Thursday, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Rosie Frater-Taylor blurs the lines between virtuoso jazz, folk, pop & soul whilst Natty Congeroo & the Flames of Rhythm will no doubt provide a flamboyant performance of their trademark, explosive swing.

On Friday, the Jazz Club welcomes Emily Capell, celebrated for her Amy Winehouse charisma and powerful voice, followed by a rip-roaring performance from Flashmob Jazz. Popular trumpeter and composer Jay Phelps will perform on Saturday along with the fabulous Gracie & The G-Spots. Bringing the five days to a triumphant end on Sunday in the Spiegel Tent will be the Hugh Turner Quartet with their varied mix of jazz, blues and funky flavoured tunes, and The Jazz Defenders, performing their raw and vibrant compositions born out of a deep love for Blue Note Jazz.

Great British Life: Every festive occasion must have food and fireworks Every festive occasion must have food and fireworks (Image: image courtesy of Henley Festival)

World & Folk

Meanwhile in the beautiful Bedouin Tent, Henley Festival offers a taste of global world music as well as home spun British folk. On Wednesday, Adam Isaac, who made it to the quarterfinals of BBC’s The Voice UK with the Friday’s headliner Sir Tom Jones as his coach, will take to the stage, followed by guitar instrumental twangers of the highest Mexican order, the Bikini Beach Band. On Thursday, Brighton’s singer-songwriter Gina Larner will share her bewitching and intoxicating folk style, woven with country and pop-rock, and Showhawk Duo, will perform their unique blend of acoustic and electronic.

Singer songwriter Tom Webber and goodtime party band The Cinelli Brothers will appear on Friday, whilst MOBO award-winning Jai Amore and the rootsy, good-time party band Cahoots, will keeping the party rocking on Saturday. Closing the Bedouin Tent for this year will be Kat Eaton, showcasing her unashamedly bold vocals in an effortless blend of soul, and classic R&B, before The Fifty Nines bring their vintage style, charisma, unrivalled showmanship, and a set list packed with floor-filling chart hits from every decade.

Great British Life: Leading the laughs at Henley this year is the multi-talented Jo Brand Leading the laughs at Henley this year is the multi-talented Jo Brand (Image: Creative Commons)

The Comedy Club

Leading the laughs is the multi-talented Jo Brand, award-winning Andy Parsons, king of the surreal one-liner Milton Jones, comedian, presenter, actor, author, and scriptwriter Russell Kane, and TikTok sensation and resident Tower of London funny man Tom Houghton. Other performers include Edinburgh Fringe favourite Ivo Graham, Britain’s Got Talent break out star Jonny Awsum, Yorkshire’s superstar Maisie Adam, Newcastle’s brightest new talent Lauren Pattison, Geoff Norcott, Alice Fraser, Aaron Simmonds, Triple Threat Comedy, Holly Stars, Helen Bauer and Ria Lina and prolific joke writer Glenn Moore.

Great British Life: Lauren Pattison Lauren Pattison (Image: Lauren Pattison)

Great British Life: Aeronautical antics at Henley, 2021 Aeronautical antics at Henley, 2021 (Image: image courtesy of Henley Festival)

Visual Arts

As forementioned by Henley Festival CEO Jo Bausor, the original festival of 1982 aimed to provide a platform for the visual arts and this year’s 40th Anniversary continues the impressive visual arts programme, displaying fine art, photography, and sculpture from some of the UK’s most talented artists, photographers, and galleries. Hollandridge Group is curating the art and sculpture at this year’s event and has, over the years, built up an extensive, international database of artists, galleries and works of art including paintings, photography, sculpture, and drawings. Two leading contemporary art galleries Panter & Hall and Zuleika will bring a collection of inspiring artworks and sculptures, and Luminosi Trees will create a magical forest along the grassy banks of the Thames. Adorned with thousands of globe lights, the elegant, six-foot Art Deco trees will transform into moving patterns of light synchronised to a soundscape as the sun goes down. Influenced by contemporary and urban art, Whitsable’s Tommy Gurr will share his large-scale, striking canvas artwork and other artists due to exhibit include Arabella Ross, Biddy Hodgkinson, Holly Frean, Marcus Hodge, alongside Rob and Nick Carter.

Great British Life: Comedy and the arts go hand-in-hand at Henley Comedy and the arts go hand-in-hand at Henley (Image: image courtesy of Henley Festival)

Family Sunday

And finally, on Sunday, July 10, there will be a whole host of wonderful activities and performances for children of all ages. Highlights include a thrilling, hilarious and high-energy show of astoundingly original magic and laugh-out-loud comedy in the form of Gizmo’s Marvellous Magic Show while Carlos Airhead will dazzle children with his metamorphosis from man to a six-foot balloon and MC Grammar will be tackling subjects from football to volcanos in his hugely popular Wonder Raps. Jones and Barnard will be putting on a family friendly Variety Spectacular Show, Cookie the Clown will be giving out balloon models, Mr Pineapple Head will perform his silent clown routine; and aspiring young entertainers can perfect their own performance skills in the Comedy Club 4 Kids and Theatre Club 4 Kids. There will also be workshops with Henley Youth Choir, Henley Youth Festival, Funky Faces, Tommy Gurr sharing a live Doodle Jam for all children to get involved, Henley Literary Festival will be on hand for storytelling sessions and Adora Bubbles will share their magic amongst flurry of bubbles.

‘We feel incredibly lucky that we have come through the past couple of years and can mark this special occasion,’ concludes Jo.

‘It has been a challenging time for organisers of all events such as ours. Henley Festival will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary in style and there really is something for everyone.’

henley-festival.co.uk

Great British Life: Henley Festival... expect the unexpected Henley Festival... expect the unexpected (Image: image courtesy of Henley Festival)

Henley Festival 2022

Wednesday, July 6

Music
The Script (8.45pm, The Floating Stage), Kevin Davy Quartet (7.15pm, The Jazz Club), Adam Isaac (7.30pm, The Bedouin), Sapphire (10.30pm, Riverside Restaurant), Bikini Beach Band (10.30pm, The Bedouin), Brother Strut (10.30pm, The Jazz Club), Pure Heaven (10.15pm)

Comedy
Ivo Graham (7.30pm, The Comedy Club), Glenn Moore & Lauren Pattison (10.45pm, The Comedy Club)