News

Endorse It In Dorset Festival Initial Line Up

• 2nd Mar 2010

Famous for its relaxed ‘old school’ festival vibe, Endorse it in Dorset returns in August for its seventh year. Following last year’s sell-out, the organisers have increased the number of tickets available to 3500, whilst being careful to retain the festival’s intimate atmosphere.
Taking place across three days and three nights from 6th–8th August near the village of Sixpenny Handley in the Dorset countryside, Endorse it in Dorset prides itself on offering its visitors musical diversity, with over seventy bands across three weather-proof stages, and good value for money – you won’t find any over-priced fizzy lager here. Ticket prices have been held as low as possible to make this an affordable festival that the whole family can go to.

This year, the line-up is graced with legends and local up-and-coming bands from a broad spectrum of genres and generations, including punk legends The Damned, Subhumans and Vice Squad, the First Lady of Ska, Pauline Black (from The Selecter), ska-punks [spunge], hip hop indie crossover kings Credit to the Nation, roots reggae band Rhythm-ites and a host of festival favourites including Eat Static, N.U.M.B., Pronghorn, Subgiant, Urban Voodoo Machine and The Highliners.

‘Scrumpy Sunday’ is a day dedicated to the celebration of the apple nectar, with entertainment provided by the West Country’s finest twangers in Who's Afear'd, The Boot Hill All Stars and Surfin' Turnips.

Completing the live music is a strong representation of local talent, including Dorset Music Award Winners Achilles from Shaftesbury, Glastonbury performers Citystereo from Salisbury, Middlenamekill and Robb Blake from Salisbury, Bournemouth’s The Metropolise and Kentucky Fight Club, and Southampton’s finest in The Mopes, The Inklings and The Flying Alexanders.

Music continues until the small hours courtesy of the festival DJs, including DJ Scratchy from The Clash, Randy & Earls Old Record Club and DJ Dapper Dan & The Macassa Man (otherwise known as Wimborne’s town crier). The young musician’s charity, Strummerville, also makes a welcome return with bands performing against the warming backdrop of the festival campfire.
Endorse it in Dorset is a family-friendly festival, recommended by safeconcerts.com, with a special camping area for families situated away from the main festival site. Younger children are especially well-catered for with a dedicated safe play area and children’s entertainment.
Completing this year’s events are the phenomenon that is Punk Karaoke, where all-comers sing on stage with a live band, real ale tents serving locally brewed beer and cider, 'Ladies Day' for those that like to dress up, and sideshows and entertainers to appeal to all ages.

In an effort to continuously improve the festivals green credentials, changes for this year include the addition of compostable toilets alongside the usual facilities, and a small charge for car parking as a way to encourage car sharing and the use of public transport to help reduce the environmental impact. The festival also has a high recycling rate, uses compostable beer glasses and makes a donation towards local environmental and other charitable organisations.

Endorse it in Dorset supports many local groups and charities and is one of the largest benefactors of the local Scout group. The group desperately needs funds to build a new Scout & Community Activity Centre as its current premises, comprising an old chicken shed, are close to being condemned – potentially resulting in the closure of the group.