The popular live music events in Garth Park are back this summer with two bands gearing up to rock the town.
First up, on Saturday, August 6, is Real Magic Queen Tribute, fronted by Joe Tilly, who will perform some of the hits of the legendary band fronted by the late Freddie Mercury. The tribute band promises to bring the sights and sounds of Queen to the Garth Park stage and will perform hits such as We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody, Killer Queen, I Want to Break Free and I Want it All.
Two weeks later on Saturday, August 20, 80s cover band Sledgehammer will make a very welcome return to the park’s stage, playing 1980s hit after hit in a three hour spectacular.
The local band, made up of Russ Fray on vocals, Simon Bays on guitar, Al Grout on bass and Phil Heard on drums, have jobs in medicine, IT and teaching, but at the weekend they pick up their musical instruments and take to the stage as 80s cover band Sledgehammer. They performed their first gig in 2016 and since then having been making a name for themselves with gigs across Oxfordshire.
Gates open from 6.30pm – Garth Park based café Savoir Fare will be open and selling a range of foods and ice cream, and people can pre order picnic hampers and cocktails, or they can bring their own.
Tickets are on sale now for both events – they cost £10 for adults, £5 for children (aged six to 16) and under-fives are free.
For the town’s younger audience, Bicester Town Council is bringing some magic to Garth Park with a magic themed activity day on Wednesday, August 3, running from 11am to 2pm. This event will be free and a host of activities are planned including balloon modelling, a Unicorn stilt walker, magic tricks, walkabout fairies, card tricks, a Punch and Judy Show and much more. Residents should also keep an eye out for Harry Potter and Ron Weasley lookalikes on the day.
Bicester’s Mayor Cllr Alex Thrupp said: “August is going to be a busy month for Garth Park and I would urge people to buy their tickets for the live music events as soon as possible because in previous years they have sold fast.
“I am very excited about the town council’s summer events programme. It’s full steam ahead – there really is something for everyone.”
To book tickets for the music events view https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/bicester/garth-park
For more information about the town council’s events view https://www.bicester.gov.uk/
