Express & Star

Fuzzbox to play anniversary festival for Wyre Forest-based charity

Eighties pop legends Fuzzbox will is joining the line-up for a musical festival to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a Wyre Forest-based charity.

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Maggie Dunne and Vix Perks, from Fuzzbox, who will perform at KEMPfest

Kemp Hospice will host their first ever family-friendly music festival on Saturday, August 18, at the Shed Food and Drink event site, in Crossway Green near Stourport, to celebrate their 50th year.

Fuzzbox, who still hold the record as the UK'S most successful intstrument playing all-girl band, are the first act confirmed to play at KEMPfest. They were formed in the mid-80s in Birmingham and went on to have five top 40 hits including a top five album. Their hits include "Pink Sunshine", "Love Is The Slug", "Self!" and "International Rescue".

Vix Perks, lead singer with Fuzzbox and tutor at Birmingham's Academy of Contemporary Music, said: "I have very fond memories of my family and I having days out in Stourport as a youngster. I haven’t been there for ages, so it will be great to come back.

"Fuzzbox are definitely up for this and we are so glad we can do this for KEMP."

Wyre Forest-based acts who are also joining the line-up include covers band The Institutions, Meg Shaw and Kev Donaldson from acclaimed Kidderminster band The Murmur. More acts will be announced in the coming months.

Shelley Stanley, festival co-organiser from Kemp Hospice, added: "This is going to be a golden summer and I can’t wait to add more names to the KEMPfest line up. We are thrilled to have eighties icons Fuzzbox performing live and having some awesome local bands onstage is going to be fantastic.

"We’re a hospice based in the Wyre Forest for the people of the Wyre Forest so to have some incredible local bands performing for us is going to be brilliant.

"We’ve never hosted a music festival before and it’s a way for us to say ‘thank you’ to all the people who’ve supported us over the past five decades and also to raise money towards the vital work that KEMP does locally. Every ticket sold will make a huge difference to the people we care and support across the Wyre Forest district, and KEMPfest will be a great day out for the whole family.

"Great music, great entertainment, great food, great drink and all for a great cause. We’ve got more famous names to add to the line-up too over the next few weeks so now is the perfect time to get your tickets.”

There will also be a comedy tent, activities for the whole family, a funfair, real ale and beer tent, as well as festival food and merchandise. The event will run from midday until 10pm.

Early bird discount tickets are now available costing £12 for adults, £8 for over-10s and £40 for a family ticket with two adults and two children. Under-10's go free.

Ticket prices will increase after May 31. To book, call 01562 756077 or visit www.kemphospice.org.uk/kempfest.