Back after our "Gap Year"
We are delighted to announce...
our 12th+ BlokeFest !!
Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd June 2025
over the UK Summer Solstice
and thought we better mention it before you all get booked up...
our 12th+ BlokeFest !!
Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd June 2025
over the UK Summer Solstice
and thought we better mention it before you all get booked up...
A bit about BlokeFest 2025 plans
We are looking forward to running yet another brilliant weekend of bonhommie and top class BlokeSong in 2025.
In 2025 we are anticipating a large influx from beyond our shores but will leave you second-guessing exactly what that might look like for now...!
The essential elements of BlokeFest will remain the same - learning and singing great songs, fantastic food, (some) silly games, a cabaret and of course, good ales and GREAT company.
In 2025 we are anticipating a large influx from beyond our shores but will leave you second-guessing exactly what that might look like for now...!
The essential elements of BlokeFest will remain the same - learning and singing great songs, fantastic food, (some) silly games, a cabaret and of course, good ales and GREAT company.
About 2025's location
We are planning to return to The Cooper’s Arms in Pewsey - more below, as the feedback was that attendees enjoyed the venue in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and it did us proud.
It's a friendly, thatched pub a short walk from the Pewsey town centre with a big camping field. Being on the edge of town has a number of advantages – there are shops if you’ve forgotten milk for your cornflakes and B&B options if you don’t fancy the canvas option.
We’re also planning on having all BlokeFest activities in the camping field, so workshops will take place in the Big Top and there is a large marquee with a full bar as well as a wonderful vintage van for spirits & cocktails.
Big blokey hugs to you all
The BlokeFest Inner Circle
We are planning to return to The Cooper’s Arms in Pewsey - more below, as the feedback was that attendees enjoyed the venue in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and it did us proud.
It's a friendly, thatched pub a short walk from the Pewsey town centre with a big camping field. Being on the edge of town has a number of advantages – there are shops if you’ve forgotten milk for your cornflakes and B&B options if you don’t fancy the canvas option.
We’re also planning on having all BlokeFest activities in the camping field, so workshops will take place in the Big Top and there is a large marquee with a full bar as well as a wonderful vintage van for spirits & cocktails.
Big blokey hugs to you all
The BlokeFest Inner Circle
In case you are ready to register, already...
Then hit the button
BlokeFest....
Men.Singing.And Stuff
"The best all blokes singing weekend you could imagine"
(as you can see...from our BlokeFest video)
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About BlokeFest
Over the weekend in June we will be singing like blokes, acting like men and getting to be one of the guys. BlokeFest is a festival by good Blokes for good Blokes, who like singing or think they might if only they could do it in the right way. Our guiding philosophy is that singing is a truly manly activity as long as you sing the right stuff, in the right way, with the right men: Think Shanties not shandies Lumberjack not Timberlake DiY not R’n'B. The plan is simple: We meet at a suitable venue with campsite and the weekend unfolds... |
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What?
Friday Evening We organize a gathering of the Clans of Blokedom with fellas coming from the stronghold of Ashton Keynes in North, North Wiltshire, the dreaming spires of Oxford, the big Smoke of the London, Shanty Men from Ship-shape Bristol, hordes from the North and many other blokes from all points of the compass and beyond. Once gathered we will enjoy some sustenance, first of the included meals, then suitably nourished and invigorated we begin singing with the first Workshop to get us in the mood for the rest of the weekend. |
The "BlokeFest Big Top"
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Jolly Bar Games in the sunshine as Jenga gets exciting
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Then it is over to the bar for some singing, some bar games, maybe some liquid refreshment, some singing, gathering around the campsite for a natter and bed at a reasonable time - it is a busy day ahead! |
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Saturday To save you catering you can subscribe to Breakfast Specials at the Blokefest Café or it is D.I.Y. to get yourself roused and nourished for the day ahead. There will be numerous singing workshops throughout the day and learning blokey songs from some well-known workshop leaders (more in a bit) We then plan to have our "Class of 2025" photo session with our official BlokeFest PhotographerMeister taking the one BIG BlokeFest photo of everyone resplendent in their BlokeFest T-Shirts. It is now traditional to wear your T-Shirt with pride that announces that you are part of this great bunch of blokes. At some point we may well try to encourage healthy pursuits, such as the legendary "Tonsorial Titan Challenge" where we judge who is the fairest of the hairiest in all the land. Keeping you going throughout the day we will break for a communal lunch time meal, then some more singing workshops. And we are also seeing if we can organize the return of an Ice Cream Van, and maybe a little something more as well... There may also be some more "CyberSinging" sessions where blokes who have been learning pieces via the internet finally meet in person to consolidate the songs in person. A bit more of a sing then we will assemble again for another meal before we congregate for the remarkable moment when we are entertained by the gathered throng with the world famous "BlokeFest Cabaret". We end the evening with more liquid refreshment and a bit more singing. |
BlokeFest 2016 5th Birthday Party
Rainbow Blokes
The Ice cream Van may happen again
The Class of BlokeFest 2018
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Sunday
To get you going there will be Breakfast Specials at the BlokeFest Café or D.I.Y. We have a Sunday Morning Singing Workshop to remember what we learned the day before, possibly a bit of a "Show and Tell" to serenade any of those assembled or maybe just for our own amusement, a "Parting Ceremony" then Picnic Traveller's Lunch will be available, and then possibly a gentle walk in the afternoon, but all still to be confirmed. All plans are still, er, in plan, and subject to change but hopefully that gives you enough to be going on with for now. |
The Ancient Tug o' War gets exciting
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BlokeFest Tickets
Here is what you got for your ticket money this year.
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Full Weekend Ticket - Big Bloke or Youth Bloke
Two night's camping* + Four catered Meals + Five Workshop sessions Friday night Workshop activities + Friday evening meal + All the other workshops + Saturday Lunch AND Evening Meal + The Saturday Night entertainment including the BlokeFest Cabaret + The Sunday Workshops & events + "Traveller's Lunch" Class of this year Photo + Final Parting songs |
Saturday Day Only Ticket - Big Bloke or Youth Bloke
All three Saturday workshop sessions + Saturday Lunch & Evening Meal + The evening entertainment |
Ticket Prices held at 2023 Prices!
Behind the scenes, the BlokeFest Inner Circle, the event organisers, have done some hard sums and in spite of the increase of some of our costs and the general increase in the cost of living, unlike many other festivals and other events we have managed to keep the main ticket prices the same as 2023.
In our humble opinion BlokeFest represents even better value than before
Behind the scenes, the BlokeFest Inner Circle, the event organisers, have done some hard sums and in spite of the increase of some of our costs and the general increase in the cost of living, unlike many other festivals and other events we have managed to keep the main ticket prices the same as 2023.
In our humble opinion BlokeFest represents even better value than before
In case you ready to register...
Click on the button below to get signed up for BlokeFest.
Click on the button below to get signed up for BlokeFest.
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Why?
BlokeFest is the inspired brainchild of The Magnificent AKs, (depicted in some of their manly glory to the right) - they're the Singing Blokes of Ashton Keynes of North, North Wiltshire in the border badlands with Mid South East Gloucestershire. They’ve been singing and performing their own brand of testosterone stoked tomfoolery since 2008 and wanted to share the adventure with other men so dreamed up BlokeFest. Visit their website at themagnificentaks.com to read about their many, many adventures and their decade and half & then some. |
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Who? The Organisers
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Blokes of the Best kind
Since the concept of BlokeFest popped into being we have been very lucky to have had a brilliant set of Blokes beavering away for months in the background to attend to every detail to make the weekend the highlight of the year for so many others.
If you spot them without a drink in their hand, do the right thing and offer to buy them a pint for all the hours of hard graft they put in making the whole event happen!
Since the concept of BlokeFest popped into being we have been very lucky to have had a brilliant set of Blokes beavering away for months in the background to attend to every detail to make the weekend the highlight of the year for so many others.
If you spot them without a drink in their hand, do the right thing and offer to buy them a pint for all the hours of hard graft they put in making the whole event happen!
Who? The Workshop Leaders
At BlokeFest we pride ourselves with being able to get some of the absolute top talent of the Choir Leaders and have helped many nurture their careers with our special "BlokeFest Experience" of harnessing our motley crew into beautiful harmony singing in a ridiculously short time.
We have a few exciting announcements up our sleeves and a couple more eyes and teas to cross and dot, so full details very soon.
We have a few exciting announcements up our sleeves and a couple more eyes and teas to cross and dot, so full details very soon.
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Chris Samuel
Master of Ceremonies & the legend that is... The embodiment of a top singing bloke if ever there was one. He leads five community choirs including The Magnificent AKs and performs with the awesome Spooky Men's Chorale when they tour the UK and Europe. He is also one of the Artist Curators for the Nationally recognised Voices Now. He enjoys legendary status with all who know him for being a very generous performer and a gifted teacher - you should hear what he has managed to do with The Magnificent AKs, turning them from a bunch of pot bellied blokes from North North Wiltshire to being "the sound of testosterone" and a formidable sonic formation and a terrific show. |
Chris beaming with his surprise Cow Pie at BlokeFest 2016
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Jessica Broderick
Choir Leader / Inspirer of Song
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Jessica Broderick is a singer, choir leader, arranger, and co-founder of Show Choir, a network of musical theatre choirs across the South of England.
Jess has established herself as a leading voice on the Bristol choral scene, conducting and arranging for much-loved Bristol choirs including Gasworks, the Gasmen Collective and Riff Raff as well as frequently leading workshops for corporate events, running international singing holidays, and teaching 1:1 voice lessons. In 2017, she co-founded Show Choir. Born out of her passion for both musical theatre and a cappella singing, Show Choir has gone from strength to strength, now with over 500 singers across multiple groups in the South. |
Jess LOVES choirs. She loves the magic of hearing harmonies come together, the joy of belting out your favourite song, but most importantly, Jess has seen first-hand how choirs can strengthen bonds of friendship & community and the incredible positive impact they have on mental health. This will be her first time teaching at Blokefest, but definitely not her first time teaching blokes! We can attest to her brilliance as a choir leader having experienced her talents on several occasions and The Magnificent AKs have sung with her Bristol Show Choir and loved their vibe. Find out more about Jess at www.instagram.com/jessicacbroderick/ and www.ukshowchoir.com/. |
Chris & Andrew
Double Value / Performers / Arrangers / Wearers of Suits / Leaders of Choirs / Practitioners of BlokeSong
Double Value / Performers / Arrangers / Wearers of Suits / Leaders of Choirs / Practitioners of BlokeSong
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Chris Bain
As well as being the musical director of Melbourne’s Men In Suits, Chris’s whole career is steeped in acapella music. Beginning in boys choir, Chris forged a path into contemporary a cappella singing with his man-band Suade. He’s the man behind Vocal Australia – a national hub for contemporary a cappella singing that creates festivals, competitions, and resources for a cappella singers and is also the National Choir Program Manager for Creativity Australia, helping to support and mentor conductors and volunteers across 26 community choirs around the country. His work in remote indigenous communities as Operations Manager of MusoMagic helped him understand the profound benefits music can have on society, and led him to found Melbourne Singing Events, running weekend singing get-a-ways and singing workshops If he ever has any spare time, and his two young daughters are asleep, you’ll find him in his studio making funny noises. |
Andrew Price
Andrew is the assistant Musical Director of Men in Suits, and runs his own 60 person community choir in his hometown of Woodend, Victoria. Andrew has been singing with Melbourne's Men in Suits for 13 years, and has been co-director of the group for the last five, and regularly runs pop-up choir projects with Fred Smith doing his Urban Sea Shanties material. He also runs regular community choir projects with local councils and is part of a great team that runs pub sings in and around the Macedon Ranges. He's very much looking forward to coming back for his second Blokefest, having been a great addition to our 2023 event, especially now that he's learned the words to Sing John Ball! Check out some of their collective back catalog, including the stereotype busting "The Loaner Tie", which explains a lot about what Chris and Andrew bring to BlokeFest at https://meninsuits.com.au/. |
GC3
Triple Value / Arrangers / Choir Leaders / Top Blokes
Gary, Vernon and Mike
“From Blues, spirituals and Americana through shanties to Celtic laments and folk, be prepared to laugh, cry and jiggle about a bit."
Gary, Vernon and Mike are a unique, close harmony acapella trio from South Devon, for many years singing with the wonderful Glorious Chorus and becoming friends of The Magnificent AKs through the joint concerts and love of manly song.
They particularly enjoy the opportunity to connect with audiences and introduce them to a range of genres and arrangements of both well-known and more obscure musicians and their music, ranging from Sister Rosetta Tharp to Adele.
At Blokefest this year, they will be showcasing their own three-part arrangements and teaching us some songs from their repertoire.
“From Blues, spirituals and Americana through shanties to Celtic laments and folk, be prepared to laugh, cry and jiggle about a bit."
Gary, Vernon and Mike are a unique, close harmony acapella trio from South Devon, for many years singing with the wonderful Glorious Chorus and becoming friends of The Magnificent AKs through the joint concerts and love of manly song.
They particularly enjoy the opportunity to connect with audiences and introduce them to a range of genres and arrangements of both well-known and more obscure musicians and their music, ranging from Sister Rosetta Tharp to Adele.
At Blokefest this year, they will be showcasing their own three-part arrangements and teaching us some songs from their repertoire.
Neil Johnson
Leader of Choirs / Practitioner of BlokeSong
Leader of Choirs / Practitioner of BlokeSong
Neil Johnson
Like many of the sort of blokes that come along to BlokeFest, Neil has been singing for a long time, since before he could talk! At some point, he started to make music for a living, almost certainly because no one told him not to or could stop him.
As a music leader he's worked in a lot of places, from nurseries to universities and he’s been in bands you won’t have heard, scored films you won’t have seen and designed sound for theatre that even he can barely remember.
But, putting aside all modesty, he is currently having a great impact in one of the most songful cities in England, running a mixed a capella choir called Heartwood Chorus with visible enthusiasm and generous, giving conducting.
Neil is particularly interested in helping people sing in their own voices, so he should fit in very nicely with the ethos at BlokeFest, where we seek to unlock our inner minstrels through the medium of great songs, sung with great blokes.
You can find out more about Neil and why we think he'll do well at BlokeFest via www.facebook.com/Heartwoodchorus and many other links at https://linktr.ee/heartwoodchorus and see him action on some of their YouTube videos at https://www.youtube.com/@heartwoodchorus.
Like many of the sort of blokes that come along to BlokeFest, Neil has been singing for a long time, since before he could talk! At some point, he started to make music for a living, almost certainly because no one told him not to or could stop him.
As a music leader he's worked in a lot of places, from nurseries to universities and he’s been in bands you won’t have heard, scored films you won’t have seen and designed sound for theatre that even he can barely remember.
But, putting aside all modesty, he is currently having a great impact in one of the most songful cities in England, running a mixed a capella choir called Heartwood Chorus with visible enthusiasm and generous, giving conducting.
Neil is particularly interested in helping people sing in their own voices, so he should fit in very nicely with the ethos at BlokeFest, where we seek to unlock our inner minstrels through the medium of great songs, sung with great blokes.
You can find out more about Neil and why we think he'll do well at BlokeFest via www.facebook.com/Heartwoodchorus and many other links at https://linktr.ee/heartwoodchorus and see him action on some of their YouTube videos at https://www.youtube.com/@heartwoodchorus.
Roger Jackson
Song Writer Supreme / Song Leader Extraordinaire / Utter BlokeFest Legend
Song Writer Supreme / Song Leader Extraordinaire / Utter BlokeFest Legend
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Roger Jackson
What can we say about Roger? Simply that he is a top bloke, has been with us since the very beginning and is an utter legend and we love him! He has written some of the best loved songs by The Magnificent AKs and has taught us some absolute pearlers over the years, all with tremendous gusto and enthusiasm. |
Join his CyberSinging session and you will see what we mean.
He has been a stalwart of the CyberSinging concept where we put out a piece ahead of the event, blokes become familiar with piece and Roger helps hone then during the course of the weekend. See more on the CyberSinging Page (soon) and loads more about the bundle of singing energy that is Roger in action in so many guises via https://www.sing.co.uk/. |
Where is it?
By popular request, this year we are returning again to darkest mid Wiltshire camping at, and drinking in The Coopers Arms near Pewsey in the heart of Wiltshire.
We will be making better use of the bar space to give more room for the singing in the pub in a Covid-aware way - but what fabulous sessions.
The venue for BlokeFest can be found at
The Coopers Arms
37-39 Ball Rd
Pewsey
SN9 5BL
Phone: +44 (0)1672562495
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.facebook.com/The-Coopers-Arms-Pewsey-2210505409212212/
QUOTE UNQUOTE
“BlokeFest has always been surprisingly good fun but BlokeFest 2016 surpassed all others. It was just brilliant from start to finish. Some great pub singing, amazing workshops, quite stupendous range of talent in the Cabaret and most of all a wonderful relaxed and friendly atmosphere. And to top it all the Concert Party was just such a wonderful example of simple, heartfelt fun - can't wait till the next one, I'm smiling already thinking about it."
A very satisfied BlokeFest 2016 attendee. One of very many!
QUOTE UNQUOTE
"Speak with a man, and he becomes your friend. Sing with a man and he becomes your brother. And we have brothers all over the country."
A rather emotional and very happy BlokeFest 2016 organiser!
(With thanks to Sara Mohr-Pietsch of Radio 3 fame for the original quote)
“BlokeFest has always been surprisingly good fun but BlokeFest 2016 surpassed all others. It was just brilliant from start to finish. Some great pub singing, amazing workshops, quite stupendous range of talent in the Cabaret and most of all a wonderful relaxed and friendly atmosphere. And to top it all the Concert Party was just such a wonderful example of simple, heartfelt fun - can't wait till the next one, I'm smiling already thinking about it."
A very satisfied BlokeFest 2016 attendee. One of very many!
QUOTE UNQUOTE
"Speak with a man, and he becomes your friend. Sing with a man and he becomes your brother. And we have brothers all over the country."
A rather emotional and very happy BlokeFest 2016 organiser!
(With thanks to Sara Mohr-Pietsch of Radio 3 fame for the original quote)
Just in case you still want to know more...
You can find most of the "Frequently Asked Questions" and "Occasionally Asked Awkward Questions".
You can find most of the "Frequently Asked Questions" and "Occasionally Asked Awkward Questions".
But in case you're ready to register...
Click on the button below to get signed up for BlokeFest.
Click on the button below to get signed up for BlokeFest.
