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CORNBURY FESTIVAL 2004
The Cornbury Festival is one-of-a-kind: an eclectic and eccentric musical carnival - a dynamic summer festival disguised as a country fayre - a lovingly crafted, top notch, very English open air party, tailor-made for the whole family.
Each year’s line-up will include bands and artists you know and love, alongside a fresh crop of fantastic new talent - no genre boundaries - just a great mix of live music.
Like the best of England, Cornbury is eccentric, charming and irresistible - a homespun melting pot where music-lovers share pies and a glass of champagne with superstars, toffs, rockers, crooners, Morris dancers, farmers, urbanites, fashionistas, gourmet chefs and the little old ladies who make exceptional cakes.
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Click play to see video of 2004 Festival
© 2004 Cornbury Festival
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Friday night saw Jools Holland take the stage with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, featuring Sam Brown and Ruby Turner with Gilson Lavis. A truly magnificent evening was had by everyone as the sun set, the music started and the good times rolled!
Joining Jools in the Friday line up were the James Taylor Quartet and King B. The full day Saturday programme let friends and family hear Will Young perform from his latest hit album 'Friday's Child' with number one hits with 'Leave right now' and 'Your Game'. A huge success after his rise to fame as winner of ITVs Pop Idol hit show. Now coming in to his own as a true star and a tremendous performer. |
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Saturday also saw Hothouse Flowers on stage, with their fifth and latest studio album, ‘Into Your Heart’, Hothouse Flowers stole their way into hearts everywhere. Also on stage were The Soul Bandits and The Overtures. The festival came to a climatic end with the icons of American rock Blondie, back with a new album after a 16 year gap and sounding better than ever. A mixture of classic favourites from the 1970's together with new material from "The curse of Blondie". The Festival also represents a welcome upgrade for the corporate and VIP client.The A-list experience is more relaxed and distinctive than anywhere else on the festival circuit. In short, The Cornbury Festival represents classic summer entertainment for a friendly crowd from all walks of life. A country fair with a rock ’n’ roll twist; a farmers’ market with a dancefloor; a magical local carnival with a classic contemporary soundtrack.
Cornbury Park is located on the edge of the Wychwood forest and
was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book.The forest has been the
site of festivals for centuries which drew crowds of 50,000 during
their heyday in the mid-19th century.
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Starting as a traditional fayre in 1796, the original festival became so successful (if somewhat riotous), that by 1830 it was so over subscribed that it had to be suspended. From 1845 to its final year in 1856 the festival attracted huge crowds and it was this popularity that finally caused its demise, although a local report in Jackson’s Oxford Journal (Sept 1856) states ‘The fair was attended by an immense number of people, and we are glad to hear that no accident occurred to mar the happiness of the day.The fair offered unprecedented inducements but not a single case of delinquency has been officially reported.’ The Park boasts some interesting remnants of this era including a mysterious music stone.
The 17th century house at the centre of the estate, the home of Lord
and Lady Rotherwick, provides a stunning backdrop for this music festival.
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