London’s largest, free one-day music festival is back. On Saturday, 11 May, as many as 25,000 music fans could flock to hear more than 100 bands performing at 17 different venues at The Hanwell Hootie. And this year it is going green with a huge reduction in single-use plastic.
This will be the seventh Hootie. The event was launched in 2013 by local people, with the support of local organisations including Ealing Council and also Marshall Amplification – now a global company but with humble origins in Hanwell. In fact, Hanwell became nicknamed the ‘Home of Loud’ because of the game-changing guitar amplifiers first made there by the company’s founder Jim Marshall in the early 1960s.
Since its own humble beginnings, the Hanwell Hootie grew so fast that its management soon became the job of a community interest company (CIC). You can read more about this later…
What can you expect?
There are two outdoor stages, including the 5,000-capacity Viaduct Meadow opposite Ealing Hospital. But there are also local pubs, a school and even a church opening their doors to host an amazing mix of emerging and established bands.
The century of music acts for 2019 will include Amber Arcades, one of the most exciting indie pop breakthrough acts in 2018. There will also be bands signed to Marshall’s record label including Thousand Thoughts, Keywest and Bad Touch.
That is not all. There will be comedy too…
A musical comedy stage was such a success last year that it is back again this year on an ‘igloo’ stage in Viaduct Meadow from 7.45pm. It will feature Jay Foreman, Harriet Braine, Boothby Graffoe, Jollyboat and Christian Reilly.
And, if you do not fancy walking between the venues, the famous Hootie shuttle bus service can transport you around three different routes as you take your pick of the talent. Even better, it is free of charge.
A wall of sound with a difference
As well as showcasing some of the finest up-and-coming bands in the country, the Hootie is also busy supporting charities, schools and community groups. So, in recognition of this, there will be special ‘Wall of Sound’ galleries in the Viaduct Meadow area and in Sandy Park, with wooden guitars decorated by organisations doing great work for the community.
Going green by getting tough on plastic
As part of the Association of Independent Festival’s campaign Drastic on Plastic, the Hootie is going to:
- Offer a reusable Hootie/Marshall branded cup for £1 when you buy your first drink. If you decide not to keep it when you leave the Hootie, you will be able to get a refund – or you can donate it back to the Hootie
- Ban plastic straws
- Reduce single-use drink bottles
- Ban single-use sauce sachets
- Ban single-use cutlery.
So, why is Hanwell the home of this music festival?
It is the birthplace of the mighty Marshall guitar amplifier. Jim Marshall, who later was given the moniker ‘the Father of Loud’, opened his first shop there in 1962 and sold his own amplifier – in response to demand from the growing number of blues and rock musicians looking for a louder and more powerful amp. It quickly became the ‘go-to’ destination for some of greatest names in rock to buy equipment – and to rehearse. The company went on to become a world-renowned brand.
Jim Marshall died in 2012, and the Hootie’s founders vowed to keep his legacy going by establishing a music festival. In its first year, just 13 bands played in three venues – now it is up to 100 acts and 17 venues.
Want more information?
Keep an eye on Ealing News Extra for more details in the build-up to the big day.
For full details of the line-up, timings and the list of venues go to www.hanwellhootie.co.uk
For other updates, visit www.facebook.com/TheHanwellHootie or follow @HanwellHootie on Twitter.
