Enjoy Milford on Sea: The Awesome Days of the Milford on Sea Music Festival 2023

Wow! What a weekend, what great music, what a fantastic Music Festival!

The free Milford on Sea Music Festival took place on the village green over 3 days from Friday 21st July until Sunday 23rd July 2023.

Friday: Had there been any apprehension as to whether people would turn up for a lunchtime start on the first day, it was proved completely unfounded, as the village green quickly started to fill up right from the first act around 12.30pm.

The afternoon's crowd were relaxed, with the music ranging from melodic to exhilarating.

Families, and people of all ages had become well-prepared with chairs and picnics, and the surrounding bars and food stalls kept people nicely fed and watered.

The 'Dance Area' in front of the stage proved great for the kids to play around and no doubt 'make special memories', just as a childhood should be.

Later on Friday saw even more people arrive, as people had finished work and came along to join in.

A variety of bands and musicians played various genres throughout the rest of the day and into the evening, all of which went down very well with the audience who were simply enjoying the music and great atmosphere, or up dancing.

The Wash House also had the very popular Retro Grooves playing classic tunes and anthems from the golden era of the 1960's to late 1980's on Friday.

The party goers, sat with their drinks on tables set out down the closed high street, and simply danced the night away in the road!

Then, due to their popularity, The Wash House team quickly decided to bring Retro Grooves back to spin the turntables again on Sunday evening!

Saturday: A bright morning welcomed the bands playing early, as they entertained yet another large crowd.

One of the excellent bands that played whilst the sun was still out, were the 'eight members' of Six & Sax. The three girl singers delighted people with their harmonies, whilst singing hits in their own style, backed of course by the unbeatable sound of the saxophone.

As the later afternoon and evening kicked in so did the rain..., torrential rain!

Anyone would expect the event to be washed out, but not in Milford on Sea! The bands passionately played on, and the festival goers simply wrapped up as best they could and didn't bother about getting wet. Nothing was going to stop them from having a celebration and enjoying the excellent range of quality music from indie to country!

Sunday: The big day had arrived, the sun was shining, and literally thousands of revellers were on their way.

John Illsley
Dire Straits legend

Local favourites, Dog Ruff took to the stage first.

Very well known in the village, the band having being playing for many years together and have performed in Milford on Sea numerous times, but never to an audience of this size. The band's old school rock, and natural humour, certainly got the party started!

As the music played on, the crowd just kept growing, and everyone was anticipating the headline act, John Illsley from the multi-award winning, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band, Dire Straits.

For much of the festival weekend the village green had been very close to being completely full, but things were just about to go up another level. As 3pm approached, there was not even enough standing room on the village green, so the vast crowd of thousands improvised and set up to listen on the closed roads around the green.

As John and his band came on stage to an enthusiastic welcome, they immediately went into a full set which contained Dire Straights hits including; Money for Nothing, Sultans of Swing and Walk of Life, plus some of his solo music from his latest album, 'VIII'. The audience were delighted and swinging along to the masterful tunes, and I am sure many were wondering how a little village can put on such an awesome event!

Then, the final acts took to the stage to round of not just a fantastic day, but also a unique music event in Milford on Sea.

Click image to view
Milford on Sea Music Festival Photo Album

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The Milford on Sea Music Festival Team

Every single one of the organising team is a volunteer, and delighted to support the community they live in. No-one was paid in any form, they simply provided all of their time and hard work for the benefit of our community. Any profits made from this year's event go into a fund to finance next year.

Fiona MacDuff: Organiser and Design & Marketing

Not only was Fiona part of the core organising team, and the main public contact during the event. She was also the designer of the Milford on Sea Music Festival brand ID, logo, event graphics and marketing, using her skills honed at her company Kifi Creative - www.kificreative.co.uk.

Fiona also designed the Music Festival clothing range. The garments were produced by her Milford on Sea based sustainable leisurewear company Duff-T Tees. To see her full fashion range please visit: www.duff-t.com.

Paul White: Festival Site Manager

Paul took overall control of all of the site management and logistics throughout the festival, as well as being a key figure in the festival organisation and execution. During his career, Paul served in the forces, and is a former Hordle Parish Councillor. He joined the 'Milford on Sea Arts & Music Festival team' in 2017 where he was mentored in site management and provided sound and lighting in the performance marquee.

Paul lives in Milford on Sea and for his 'day job' he runs his own electrical, home maintenance and handyman company, All Round Property Maintenance Services. If you need anything doing, give him a call: 07967 336830 - paulchris.white@live.com

Paul Noble: Stage & Bands

Paul is an ex-serviceman and former village Parish Councillor. He also has an impressive record of charity fundraising for many worthy causes, and has been involved with a number of the previous 'Milford on Sea Arts & Music Festival's'.

Today he runs his own company called the X-Forces Bin Cleaning Company. They clean both domestic and commercial bins, and of course, the business name reflects his time serving in the military. If you need any bins cleaned just give him a call: 01590 643098 - 07787 880766 - www.x-forcesbincleaning.co.uk

Jason Withers: Chair

Jason runs village estate & letting agents, Collins & Butler in Milford on Sea. Having joined the company in 2007, he became the managing director in 2020. Jason was also a committee member for the former 'Milford on Sea Arts & Music Festival' from 2010 to 2015. www.collinsandbutler.co.uk.

Keith Willsher: Compere

Keith is a DJ and introduced all the acts over the festival. He also a qualified marine electrician and has his own company, Keef Marine who install marine solar products, lights, navigation equipment, etc. 07384 787804 - keith@keefmarine.co.uk

Bligh Julius: Festival Bar

The festival bar was provided and managed by Bligh and his company Onyx Events. It has been agreed that all bar profits will be part of the festival funds. www.onyxevents.co.uk.

An experience sailor, he also heads up his own company with his brother: Extreme International. www.extremeinternational.com.

There were also lots of other people involved in making the weekend such a success:

Other Festival Committee members, stage crew, an army of volunteers, stewards, caterers, bars teams, security, police, and the unseen heroes in the team from the New Forest Litter Pickers!

Thanks go to you all.

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Milford on Sea Music Festival Bands

Headline Act: John Illsley bass guitarist of the legendary rock band Dire Straits. Plus, 19 talented local bands, singers & musicians across a multitude of genres performed for our free entertainment: