Excitement builds as early bird tickets fly (From Ledbury Reporter)

Excitement builds as early bird tickets fly

1:00pm Wednesday 21st March 2012 in Latest By Neil Watts

THE organiser of a Herefordshire music festival hopes to continue building on its family and local roots after early bird tickets sold out in record time.

Loyal fans of Nozstock - The Hidden Valley, which takes place at Rowden Paddocks in Bromyard, were quick to snap up a treat within eight hours of them going on sale last week.

Having grown from 500 revellers to a capacity of 5,000, this year’s event which runs from Friday to Sunday, July 27-29, boasts Scottish folk-rockers The Proclaimers as the main headliners.

Organiser Pete Nosworthy, who is joined by a team of about 80 to 100 people to stage the festival, said the sales reflect the festival’s growing stature.

“It took about two weeks last year and less than one day this time round, which means I’m less worried about this year. It’s nice to see we are gaining a lot of recognition within the business, not just locals.

“Our product is very much trying to be a cross between a country fayre and a pop festival, while being interactive with the punters so they feel they are taking part.”

He also feels their line-up is already taking shape and should appeal to everyone, from young babies to his 97-year-old mother.

“The Proclaimers are very much a sing-along party festival band, appealing to young kids to older people.”

Mr Nosworthy was also keen to play down the impact of the cancellation of the Big Chill, due to a clash with the London Olympics, on the county’s festival scene.

“It hasn’t changed our plans at all because we have our own vision of what we want a festival to be. It’s very much a homegrown, family and rural Herefordshire festival with the music content thrown in.

“I would rather see it go ahead than not, but it isn’t the reason we will be a success or failure. We are doing our own thing and that’s what brings the people in.”

For more information go to nozstock.com.