Strummer of Love, a one-off, unique festival to commemorate the late, great Joe Strummer is to be held at a beautiful, secret location in the middle of the Somerset countryside this summer.
Taking place on the weekend of 17-19 August, Strummer of Love Festival will mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Strummer, the legendary Clash frontman, and feature a host of globally renowned performers.
Strummer was a tireless community activist and remains a powerful and inspirational force whose art, convictions and energy spans the decades and unites generations.
In honour of Strummer’s world views proceeds from the festival will benefit the work of Strummerville: The Joe Strummer New Music Foundation, which was set up in the singer’s memory by his friends and family following his untimely death.
Lucinda Garland, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “We felt there was only one way to mark Joe’s anniversary and that was around a campfire in the fields at a festival, his favourite place to be. We have been truly honoured with so many brilliant bands coming out to play at this tribute and what promises to be a great benefit for the charity which will help us to continue our work.”
The exciting line up will comprise of friends and fans of Joe’s paying respect to the influence that he has had on their lives and music. The internationally renowned artists will be joined by a host of rising stars, many of them supported by the work of Strummerville.
The festival will accommodate 5,000 visitors and endeavour to re-connect with the original concept of a festival - a joyous celebration in the fields. With spontaneous performances and exclusive spectaculars, Strummer Of Love will be one of the most distinctive, enchanting and inclusive experiences of the UK festival itinerary.
In the spirit of the DIY ethos that Joe Strummer stood for Strummer of Love will be the only major UK festival to handle its own ticket sales, bypassing the typically hefty booking fees associated with festivals. Strummerville will also have a forum for re-sale of tickets so that they won’t be on sale via so-called “fan-to-fan” websites.
The wealth of live music on offer will be complemented by stalls selling ethically sourced fair trade food and outlets highlighting a range of arts, crafts, Strummer memorabilia, alternative therapies, healing and community activism.
Since its 2003 inception Strummerville has stayed true to Joe’s reputation as a rallying point and motivational icon by driving a host of projects that provide invaluable opportunities for musical creativity to thrive.
Strummerville's work comes in many forms, from helping bands to record and release music to providing rehearsal spaces for aspiring artists. Strummerville studios can be found at the roundhouse and under the Westway in London, in Belfast and in Bogotá. The main aim of the charity is to give opportunities to people through music who wouldn’t usually have access to such opportunities.
Strummer of Love is a natural extension of their infamous campfire sessions at festivals such as Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party and Endorse It In Dorset.
Faithful to the spirit of Strummer’s diverse life and career - as hippy era festivalgoer, folk troubadour, family man, globally feted punk icon and world music explorer – it will be an occasion to savour leaving behind a plan of action after the partying is over.
The first 1,001 tickets will be made available on April 11th at a special price of £101 in honour of Strummer’s first band, The 101ers.
Published on 10 April 2012 by Wayne Feltham
