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Review – Jazz Cafe Festival 2024: A Mixed Debut with More Hits than Misses

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As we recommended last March in our article, The best music festivals in London 2024, our team at Reading West visited the highly anticipated Jazz Cafe Festival – and here’s our review.

The inaugural Jazz Cafe Festival 2024 had all the ingredients for a standout event, and while it hit some high notes, there were a few areas where it fell short. As with any brand-new festival, some teething problems were to be expected. However, certain missteps, particularly in the VIP area, left attendees feeling underwhelmed.

The VIP experience, in particular, did not deliver as promised. Many guests paid extra for the perks, but the so-called VIP queue jump didn’t exactly speed things up. In fact, many found themselves waiting just as long as general admission ticket holders. The VIP area itself, while exclusive, offered an almost non-existent view of the stage, which was frustrating for those hoping to be closer to the action. Additionally, the space was overcrowded, leading to long waits for drinks and a distinct lack of the “luxury” experience that VIP ticket holders were expecting.

One of the most glaring issues was the “luxury” toilets – of which there were only three! Female attendees, in particular, found themselves queuing for quite some time. Once inside, the facilities were indeed luxurious, but it seemed that the festival organisers had forgotten to arrange a proper cleaning rota. As the day wore on, the sparkle of these high-end loos began to fade, leaving many unimpressed.

Despite these hiccups, the festival delivered far more positives than negatives. The vibrant and diverse crowd reflected the festival’s eclectic music line-up. It was a kaleidoscope of cultures, styles, and attitudes – a true celebration of jazz’s global influence. From colourfully dressed attendees to those smartly or casually attired, everyone was united by their love of music, and it showed in the way people danced freely to the different tunes filling the air.

Musically, the festival was a triumph. Rapsody brought fierce energy to the stage with her electrifying blend of hip-hop and jazz, proving why she’s a force to be reckoned with in modern music. Buena Vista Social Club offered a dose of nostalgia, delivering their trademark Cuban rhythms to an adoring crowd, turning the venue into a sea of swaying fans. Rising star Eliza was another standout, her soulful voice captivating the audience, while Nils Frahm created an atmospheric, almost cinematic experience with his unique fusion of electronic and classical sounds.

A special highlight of the festival was the touching tribute to the audience itself, with a Latin jazz rendition of Coldplay’s ‘Clocks’. This unexpected cover, reimagined with vibrant Latin rhythms and soulful trumpet solos, struck a chord with the crowd, creating a beautiful, shared moment of connection. It was a perfect example of how the festival celebrated the power of music to unite people from all walks of life.

Overall, the Jazz Cafe Festival 2024 had its fair share of organisational issues, particularly in terms of VIP logistics. However, these are problems that can be ironed out with time, and given the overwhelmingly positive atmosphere generated by the music and the crowd, there’s plenty of potential for future festivals to improve. With such an incredible range of artists and a crowd eager to celebrate the best of jazz and beyond, the foundation is certainly there for this festival to become a major annual event.

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Events

The Countdown to GuilFest Is On – Don’t Miss Out!

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Guilfest 2025

Summer is just around the corner, and that can only mean one thing – GuilFest is nearly here! With early bird tickets flying off the shelves and last year’s event completely sold out, now is the time to secure your spot for a weekend bursting with music, fun, and feel-good summer energy.

A Line-up to Remember

This year’s musical line-up promises to be nothing short of spectacular. From legendary chart-toppers to crowd-pleasing favourites, GuilFest 2025 brings a dazzling variety of acts to the stage. Get ready to dance your socks off to music from The Jacksons, Razorlight, and Soul II Soul! Join in on the infectious vibe of the Stereo MC’s and take in the legends that brought us all the hits we love – like Leo Sayer and The Bay City Rollers, and more under wraps!

So, whether your thing is soulful grooves, catchy indie anthems, or noises from your youth, there’s something for everyone on the line up!

More Than Just Music

But GuilFest is not only about the music – it is a full weekend experience whatever your age. Families will love the variety of entertainment provided for the little ones. There are two very special guests this year – Bluey on Saturday 5th July and Peppa Pig on Sunday 6th July – meet and greets that your children will remember and you will want to get some snaps of those special moments.

Whether you’re on the stage or in the family zones, GuilFest has a delightful offering of food and drink stalls, comedy performances, wellness zones, craft market, and much, much more – ensuring that the stage is set for a sunny, fun-filled weekend of music and community.

Don’t Miss Out

If you’ve been thinking about making your summer plans, now is your chance. With tickets going fast, don’t miss out on what is expected to be the best GuilFest yet.

So, grab some mates, rally the family, do what you need to do, and get ready for a weekend to remember! Get your tickets, let the countdown to GuilFest 2025 begin!

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Events

Sensations of the Solstice at Wasing (Review – 2025)

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Solstice At Wasing - Artist - Âpe Chimba 7 - Photo Credit @Wasing1759

We’d heard Solstice at Wasing, near Reading, was a festival of interest. Seeing it celebrates the rites of summer and vaguely interested we went along on Fri.  

Wow. 

What a beautiful festival.  From entering through a leafy canopy of trees and jungle-covered ‘corridor through to the main ‘stage’ – a creation of the tallest of trees surrounding the band and their entranced audience.  Honestly, of all the festivals we have been to over the years, this is one of the prettiest.  

Things we particularly loved.  

• The wild swimming and sauna – we loved the idea of it,but book early or you’ll be disappointed. And the idea of welcoming the sunrise in at 3, – Oh well, next year….

• The Sweet and stylish independent sellers – We particularly loved the clothes by Challo

• Salif Keita – hearing that richest of voices ring out amongst the shades of green was particularly amazing

Solstice At Wasing - Artist - Salif Keita 3 - Photo Credit @Wasing1759
Solstice At Wasing – Artist – Salif Keita 3 – Photo Credit @Wasing1759

• Anoushka Shankar’s spellbinding set – a mesmerising journey through her trilogy of mini-albums, blending classical sitar with bold, contemporary sounds. Her performance beneath the trees created a moment of pure magic.

Solstice At Wasing - Artist - Anoushka Shankar 2 - Photo Credit @Wasing1759
Solstice At Wasing – Artist – Anoushka Shankar 2 – Photo Credit @Wasing1759


• Moonji’s ice-cream – it’s the smallest touches that this festival has an abundance of, and the taste of Moonjiicecreams has my mouth watering at the memory of them…

• The ambiance – characterised by respect, softness in the best of ways, friendly, clean, Solstice largely seems toattract a different kind of crowd, not looking for the usual excess. (No judgement there on our part, – ever). 

The candles and coves, the perfectly choreographed havens and hammocks. This intimately special festival really is a stunner.

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Events

Celebrate the Magic of the Solstice at Wasing’s Woodland Haven this Weekend

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Solstice At Wasing

On Friday, June 20th, people around the world will be celebrating the summer solstice under the same sky — truly an event that connects us all, regardless of borders or time zones. Wasing’s secluded forests offer the opportunity for a weekend filled with live music, shared experiences, and pure elemental magic.

From lush grooves to soulful melodies, the team has curated a rich and vibrant programme made up of artists from all over the world. Some of the key acts include James Blake, Anoushka Shankar, Salif Keita, Alex Serra, Âpe Chimba, The Egg, Sam Lee, Nubiyan Twist, K.O.G., The Turbans, Afrosideral, Tritha, Skyrager (Psychemagik), Omer Gonen-Haela, ÆVERY, Di-Pod, Mira Khanya, Rebecca Dennis, Chris Park, Jill Purce, Rupert Sheldrake, Soul Revolution, Wonderment and Wider Horizons. For the full line up head to www.wasing.co.uk/solstice,

A highlight of the weekend will be the Sunrise Ceremony; a ceremony of people together to receive the first rays of the sun – to celebrate renewal, oneness and nature’s power to inspire awe. As day yields to night, the Sacred Glade awakens a midnight fire, with intimate performances under a sky filled with stars bringing together wilderness, art and community.

We’re proud to be supporting Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) — an extraordinary humanitarian organisation delivering life-saving care all over the world, wherever it’s needed most. With every ticket you buy, we’ll donate £2 directly to Médecins Sans Frontières (UK) (registered charity number 1026588), helping them continue their vital work across more than 70 countries.

Tickets
Grab your spot for the weekend — whether you want to come just for a day or stay for it all.

Vehicle Pass
If you’re driving to the festival, please make sure you book a vehicle pass in advance.

Tipi Accommodation
Tipis can be reserved here and are completely set up with beds, linen, lighting and a supply of local water, toilet and shower facilities. Take your own towels and provisions, and reserve your festival and vehicle passes separately.

Camping
Access to our campsite is included with all Solstice festival tickets on a bring your own tent or campervan basis. The campsite opens at 12pm on Friday 20th June and closes at 4pm on Saturday 21st June.

If you are bringing a vehicle, please purchase a campsite vehicle pass here
The campsite facilities include toilets & access to drinking water.

Accessibility
For all access information, please see the [accessibility guide]. Tickets for accessible events must be accompanied by appropriate documentation and submitted to events@wasing.co.uk 3 weeks from the booking date. All ages are welcome; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

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