BeanFest music to hit right notes in Rawmarsh this summer

The Rawmarsh-based festival has played host to more than 16,000 people, brought in acts from as far away as Belgium and raised a whopping £25,000 for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and Hallam FM’s Cash For Kids.

Hosted at Roundwood Farm, BeanFest was nominated as the UK Small Festival of the year for the past two years, narrowly missing out on both occasions.

The festival, organised in memory of Rob “Bean” Crook, who passed away in tragic circumstances in 2010, has continued to grow.

Organiser Simon Hartley has promised another ground-breaking year. 

He said; “We like to think of ways to make BeanFest better each year. 

Looking at festival number nine, that challenge seemed daunting.

"The only criticism has been the bars and their capacity to cope and how we could support more local talent. 

“So this year we’ve doubled up on the bars and staff. For local talent, it will be outstanding.”

The event will see nine leading UK tribute artistes grace the stage, plus ten of South Yorkshire’s best up and coming original bands, some of whom are already becoming household names.

“This year we wanted to attract local bands that are making waves, the Fred Perry website released a list of the Top 20 Sheffield bands at the moment, and we are proud that the top four are playing this year at BeanFest.”

They will include tributes to The Prodigy, Kings Of Leon, Metallica, Limp Bizkit, System of a Down, Iron Maiden, Lamb of God, Queens of the Stone Age and Rage Against the Machine. 

While the local original bands comprise The Hot Soles, Hands Off Gretel, Liberty Ship, I Set the Sea on Fire, The Reytons, The Time Sellers, DeadBlondeStars, This State of Ours, Saints Among Us and the Hallam FM Cash for Kids talent search winners Steal The City.

Simon said: "We’ve always had a strong line-up of original bands but this year I really do feel they could steal the show. 

“Collectively their followings are extremely strong and it will be great to provide them with a platform to increase their fanbase and to do that locally here in Rotherham.”

The event is on July 14 at Roundwood Farm, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, S62 5LJ, with tickets at £6 for over-18s, £3 for under 18s and free for under 10s all available on the door.

As well as its trademark two big top tents, the festival also includes real ales and traditional ciders and an on site fish and chip shop, street food, four bars, stalls and plenty of activities for children and adults.

Simon added: “We’re hoping to achieve a total of £30,000 for charity and get back to the Festival Awards after another great year. 

“With this year’s exciting additions, line-up and our brilliant fans, I’m sure we can clinch the award for Rotherham and give another unmissable event. 

“It is definitely not one to miss. After years of trying to become the next Leeds Festival, we can safely say we think this time our line-up tops theirs, and all for £6 entry and £3 a pint? Sounds unmissable to me.”

For more information, visit www.beanfest.co.uk.