Frome Festival is launching a fundraising campaign to raise £25,000 before next year’s festival, kicking off with a special concert featuring three locally based acts.
The campaign, ‘25 for 25’, celebrates a quarter of a century of the festival being at the heart of Frome’s creative community, with events throughout the year. All monies raised will support growing the organisation, developing an education strand and maintaining its programme of free and low-cost activities.
The campaign will launch on Saturday 29th November at The Tunnels with local acts including Tom Moth, folk duo māsa and a new soul/funk collective, The Juice.
Tom Moth, harpist for Florence + The Machine, said, “I enjoy crafting sounds using various acoustic and electronic devices, so whilst the harp will be involved, the performance won’t strictly be a harp recital.”
Tom, who moved to Frome a couple of years ago, said, “I love that there’s such a welcoming and proactive creative community. It seems like there’s always something happening, whether it’s a gig, an exhibition, or community-based activity.”
Faron and Merle of māsa, returning from a hiatus, will share their harmony-based folk songs. Merle said, “We’ve lived in Frome for a few years now and really value its creative and independent spirit as a town.”
The Juice, a five-piece soul/funk collective, will close the night. Frontman Joe James said, “As a local band, supporting Frome Festival means a lot to us. We can’t wait to bring The Juice to our hometown and share our new musical project with the people who shaped us.”
Frome Festival Manager Sarah Swales said, “I’m constantly amazed by the incredible talent we have here in Frome and I’m thrilled that these performers are generously donating their time and remarkable skills to support the festival.”
Festival Director Adam Laughton added, “Across the next year, we’re looking to capture that spirit and celebrate Frome’s deep love and support of the arts, looking back at a quarter of a century of amazing work and plotting a course for the next 25 years.”
Doors open at 7.30pm; advance tickets are £18 via the Frome Festival website or £20 on the door.
More information and tickets are available at: fromefestival.co.uk/25years
