Now in it’s fifteenth year, Blissfields Festival is back and it’s bigger than ever. This year the festival will take place at Vicarage farm in the Hampshire countryside. The much-loved festival combines family friendly events with unmissable acts and an array of activities for all festival-goers to join in with.
The Music 
Artists who have performed at Blissfields in its fifteen year history include Grammy and Brit award winning singer Sam Smith, folk favourites Mumford and Sons and singer songwriter Laura Marling. This year, the festival welcomes indie rock band The Horrors, who released their album Luminous in 2014, as its Friday headliners. They’ll be joined by American singer songwriter John Grant, who will headline the Saturday of the festival. His latest album Pale Green Ghost received a host of five star reviews and was named ‘Album of the Year’ by Rough Trade. Grant’s performance will be followed by a live set from electronic music duo Simian Mobile Disco.
Ghostpoet
Mercury prize nominee Ghostpoet makes his Blissfields debut this year, following the release of his critically acclaimed LP Shedding Skin. With the recent announcement of the second wave of acts, it was confirmed that Karen Harding, the singer of UK Top 10 single ‘Say Something’ will be performing. She will be joined by Rhodes, who has recently toured with Sam Smith.
If you’re a Blissfields regular, you’re sure to be familiar with the energetic performances from Blissfields favourites Dub Pistols, who will be returning to the Main Stage this year. A performance from the band is certain to get the whole crowd dancing in no time!They’ll be joined by another firm Blissfields favourite, folk poet Beans on Toast, who performed at the festival on The Larch stage last year.
The Stages
In addition to the Main Stage, Blissfields boasts a range of additional stages and performance areas. These include The Den, a stage covered by a Big Top style tent and which hosts music until 2am on the Friday and Saturday nights of the festival. This is the place to be on the Thursday of the festival, with performances from the best of the local music scene.
The Hidden Hedge, the ultimate party in a forest, also returns to the festival this year. It’s sure to be decorated impressively this year to fit the festival’s theme of Somewhere in Time.
Following its debut in 2014, the Back of the Bus area returns to the festival this year and will welcome a series of DJs who’ll play tracks from the afternoon through to the early hours. The famous Blisscotheque, which the festival organisers rightly call ‘a much loved institution’, also returns for 2015 and will be welcoming party goers. Cocktails are served from the bus, which also boasts an impressive sound system along with mirror balls and flashing lights.
The Theme
Following last year’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ theme, the festival organisers have confirmed that the theme for this year’s event is ‘Somewhere in Time.’ Although it’s not compulsory, many Blissfields attendees enjoy dressing up to fit the theme each year, and this year is sure to be no exception!
Tickets for Blissfields 2015 are selling quickly. Head to the website for more information and to purchase tickets.
