Thursday

Mark Gardener

Mark Gardener of Ride was a Judge on the "Road to Lakefest 2026" band contest and he was there to introduce the Winner Fran Lusty.

With her band Fran Lusty was one of the highlights of the whole weekend.

Fran Lusty

Fran Lusty

Fran Lusty

The Forgetting Curve

The Forgetting Curve

The Forgetting Curve served up a dish of Punk / Post Punk and Alternative songs, delivered with an amount of flying saliva.

The Bluetones

The Bluetones

Back to the nineties and The Bluetones remind everyone of their run of great singles and indie/rock light, concentrating on Mark Morris' unique vocals.

Sound of Sirens

Sound of Sirens

Up to the Funkytown Stage for Sound of Sirens.

"In awe of the stage"

Ferocious Dog

Celtic Rock themed band Ferocious Dog add their Political spice and lively stage presence.

Ferocious Dog

Ferocious Dog

Ferocious Dog

Tinchy Stryder

A large crowd gathered in the Funkytown tent awaiting Tinchy Stryder, while the DJ warmed them up. Many teens and even younger were atop parents shoulders to see their hero.

He looked to enjoy the obvious adulation he was getting.

Tinchy Stryder

Tinchy Stryder

Tinchy Stryder

EMF with Utah Saints

You could argue that EMF are local heroes as the band came together in the Forest Of Dean back in the early nineties. They have created their own niche in the festival world with a lively performance of their own music and a few others borrowed from across time, they go down well. "Unbelievable" is really given an extra lift with assistance from Utah Saints on board.

EMF

EMF

EMF

The Charlatans

Tim Burgess managed to transport us back to the nineties where he looks exactly the same, a wish we all ask for at times. They produce an incredible set of indie rock laced with those baggy beginnings and a hint of psychedelia. "Then", "Weirdo", and "North Country Boy" show their versatility over a long stretch of time. The classic's "The only one I know", "Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over" and "One to Another" were the real people pleasers.

The Charlatans

The Charlatans

The Charlatans

The Charlatans

The Charlatans

The Charlatans

The Charlatans

Friday

Amazing site of skateboards and BMX's performing 360's in mid-air

Chris Ostler

Split Second

Split Second

Erica

Erica

Harleymoon Kemp

Providing a pop meets country vibe Harleymoon Kemp gave the crowd at the mainstage something different. The site of spontaneous line dancing breaking out was intriguing, the bone dry ground led to small dust clouds as people shuffled in time to the music

Harleymoon Kemp

Harleymoon Kemp

Bez

A legend now, amongst anyone who appreciated the Happy Mondays and Black Grape, Bez doesn't have to try too hard just be BEZ!

Bez

The Undertones

The Undertones just have that sound. The songs are timeless and with all members original apart from Feargal's replacement (Paul McLoone), they reproduce the music of 1977 onwards superbly

Soul II Soul

The debut album from Soul II Soul came out in 1989, Club Classics Vol. One was a musical gamechanger. The drum sound alone influenced so many artists and songs that followed. "Back to life" and "keep on moving" dominated in the charts and the band and songs won many awards. Jazzy B was at the helm then and still continues though the band members and singers have altered many times

Soul II Soul

Soul II Soul

Soul II Soul

Soul II Soul

Example

The atmosphere was at it's most electrified state of the whole weekend waiting for Example to walk on stage. The Dj on stage had the crowd in raptures, so it was an easy task for Example to carry the vibe through his set. His act is a bit perplexing to a non believer as it mostly consisted of getting the fans to sing back the words and various "whoops" etc. There was no doubt they enjoyed it thoroughly

Example

Example

Example

Example

Saturday

Foam Party fun

Riding The Low

I knew the Actor Paddy Considine had a band but had not heard them or seen them so it was a few minutes before realising it was him on stage. He likes to spread himself across the arts and Riding The Low put on a performance of well played rock

Riding The Low

Paddy Considine of Riding The Low

Dub Catalyst

"Devoted to the band he loves"

Killing Chic

This was an interesting one, in the Funkytown Tent, with a very small crowd who watched the set of Killing Chic. There were some hushed mentions of a certain famous guitarist joining them on stage. The crowd by the look of it hadn't heard these rumours but as it happened Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) didn't get up on stage but was clearly enjoying the show from side stage. The set was great Italian Rock with lead singer Chris Volpi enjoying himself regardless of the sparse fans

Killing Chic

The Entitled Sons

The Entitled Sons were formed in 2022, a family band of four brothers: Billy (keyboards), Charlie (lead vocals), Rafferty (guitar), Laurie (drums) and their father Graham Swift (bass).

So that is interesting even before you hear them. They are an extremely "tight" band in both musical ability and in kinship. There is an obvious connection which is infectious and they have been building a following, with their last single "Epitaph (Not There)" increasing interest. A dynamic, lively display with obvious appeal in the Pop world you can only see them exploding soon

The Entitled Sons

The Entitled Sons

The Entitled Sons

The Entitled Sons

BMX Tricks

Reef

You can rely on Reef to always deliver a perfect set with interaction and plenty of singalong moments they always get it right

Reef

Reef

Reef

Madness

It's easy to forget how important Madness were to anyone of a certain age, has there been a better run of singles in the 70's and 80's? Though they are a little less energetic on stage you can't help but sing along to "Baggy Trousers", "It must be love", "Embarrassment" and "The Prince"

Madness

Madness

Madness

Madness

Madness

Madness

Sunday

Chesney Hawkes

Yes he only had one hit..... but Chesney Hawkes has created himself as the afternoon crowd pleaser available at a Festival near you... and he is good at it. He mixed his songs which are excellent with well chosen covers such as "Wouldn't it be good" (Nik kershaw), "Human" (The Killers) and "I predict a Riot" (The Kaiser Chiefs)

Chesney Hawkes

Chesney Hawkes

The Lightning Seeds

The Lightning Seeds

The Lightning Seeds

Bananarama

There was some sort of technical "hitch" which delayed the start of Bananarama's Sunday Headline slot. Both Keren (Woodward) and Sara (Dallin) seemed a bit uneasy when they started with "I started a rumour" and it took a while for them to relax into it. With such a pop catalogue they soon got in the swing and finished the Festival mainstage with "Venus"

Bananarama

Bananarama

Bananarama

Bananarama

Bananarama

Bananarama

All photos for Return To Sound by Dan Reddick