Turning a love of music into a popular festival for all

REYT FEST will be returning to the area again this June and Jon could not be more delighted – though he admits that organising such an extravaganza of music is hard work.

But he says he does it because he wants people to enjoy live music and to help up-and-coming bands and musicians by giving them a chance to perform.

The two-day music event which will take place at Upper Whiston Farm in Rotherham on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27.

It will feature two stages and has Britpop legends Sleeper as the headliner, a bit of a coup for Jon and his team.

The Kairos will be headlining on Friday night.

Jon said that the inspiration to hold a live event came after attending the well-remembered Reytons’ concert in Clifton Park, Rotherham.

He said: “Originally it was a lot of us in Clifton Park waiting for the Reytons to come on. I was looking at the crowd and wondering why this does not happen every year.

“A year later I thought now I will do it.

“Everyone said I was daft but I thought the dividends would be good: people having a good time was enough even given the money situation.

“I love live music.”

Jon’s daughter Jess and friend Ian Cheslett became involved. Jon floated the idea of a festival to Ian and then, he said, Ian kept texting him with a plethora of ideas.

“Once Ian knew about it there was no going back,” said Jon.

“I knew this was going to happen.”

Jon said that Ian sees a lot of bands and so is knowledgeable about the music scene.

Jon told him that he wanted grassroots bands to be involved.

“It has escalated from there,” said Jon.

“But I said that I wanted almost everybody there to have heard of the headline act.”

Rother Radio has become a part of this year’s event and will be broadcasting from it, said Jon, and he has also been successful in getting fairground attractions, catering, security and fencing sorted out. Buses have even been organised to become green rooms.

All in all it looks set to be a well-organised festival for all involved, the expected 1,500 punters and the performers.

“We are really pleased with how things are going,” said Jon.

“The team we have got around us is really fantastic. They have really helped us out.

“It’s all hands to the decks now just sorting the logistics out.”

Jon said that he was pleased that so many lesser-known bands and performers have agreed to appear, and is organising merchandise tents so that they can make some cash. He insists that unlike some venues he will not be taking a cut of their sales.

In fact the festival for Jon is not about making huge profits.

“Any money we do make will be going into next year’s bands,” he said.

He said that this year the festival is being held on what would have been the Glastonbury Festival weekend, had it been running. Since Glasto is on next year, the next REYT FEST will be on a different weekend next time.

But he wants REYT FEST to be a more personal experience than some of the bigger festivals and give attendees the chance to meet their performers.

“Hopefully everybody on site will get the chance to meet all the bands,” said Jon.

“A lot of the bands will be staying over.”

The festival has a varied and extensive line-up including The Denabys, The Tivolis and Hot Fuzz, amongst many more.

Other acts will include Freight, Pet Needs, Cruz, The Publics, Taylor Liam Jackson, Jonny Blade, and The Falls.

There will be two stages and tickets cost £50 per person for a two-day arena pass with charges for camping and parking extra. VIP access is now available to existing ticket holders first, priced at £70 per person to upgrade (£120 total).

Full details of the REYT FEST festival can be found at https://reytfest.co.uk/ where tickets can also be purchased.