Music: Lewes Live

Our lovely little (if somewhat older) sister, Lewes, is host to a two-day festival over the weekend

In fact situated just north of Lewes, at Stoneham Farm, Lewes Live features a diverse range of music from local, national and international acts, family attractions, food, a beer and cider festival plus weekend camping for all ticket holders. It’s family friendly too, with cheaper tickets available for under 16s. There are day tickets available as well.

Formerly known as Rock in the Bog, one of the headliners this year is Mark Chadwick, frontman of The Levellers. As well as still performing with them he’s been doing his own thing, has released two solo albums, and is a resident of Lewes! Also on the bill on the Saturday are the mod revivalists The Lambrettas (once signed to Elton John’s Rocket label, and who scored a big hit with Poison Ivy back in 1980, and who still feature original members Doug Sanders and Paul Wincer); indie rockers The Lanes, country indie rockers The Jamie Freeman Agreement (led by the proprietor of Lewes record shop Union Music Store), Goths The Last Cry, Dorey The Wise, retro surf act The Murmurtrons and No Coward Soul. Highlight of the day could fall to Rebel Control, a very fine reggae-soul band who will surely shine if the sun does the same…

The festival kicks off on the Friday and headliners are eight-piece New Groove Formation, a lively fusion of ska, reggae, brass and dance. Also on the bill that starts at 7pm are folk rockers The Fold, The Len Price 3 and Fred Light.
Lewes Live, Stoneham Farm, 11-12 July, www.leweslive.com