Melksham’s Oakfield Stadium could soon become a hub for live music events, as Melksham Football and Rugby Club seeks planning permission to host regular festivals. The clubs have applied to hold music events lasting between one and four days, with time allocated for setup and dismantling of temporary structures such as stages, bars, and marquees.
The eagerly anticipated Wiltshire Throwback Festival is slated for the weekend of June 20 and 21, with expectations of drawing as many as 3,000 visitors daily. Impressively, over 2,500 tickets have already been sold for each day of the event.
Organizers will find out by Wednesday, May 28, whether they have secured the crucial live music and alcohol licenses necessary to proceed. Should approval be granted, preparations will begin on June 16 with the erection of stages and facilities, followed by de-rigging the day after the festival ends.
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A comprehensive suite of risk assessments has been submitted to Wiltshire Council to address concerns from local authorities, including the town council, police, and highways department. These assessments cover medical and fire safety, noise control, substance management, waste disposal, and security protocols.
Specifically addressing noise concerns, the management plan assures residents near Eastern Avenue that sound levels will remain quieter than a household refrigerator during general times, rising only briefly to the equivalent volume of a vacuum cleaner. Live music will conclude by 11pm each evening to minimize disturbance.
Traffic management has also been carefully planned in collaboration with Wiltshire Police and highways officials. The festival expects around 875 cars and 375 taxi drop-offs per day. To prevent on-street parking, select streets will be restricted to residents only, overseen by professional traffic control staff. Additionally, Oak Community School’s car park will serve as a designated drop-off and pick-up zone.
The festival promises a lineup packed with legendary performers from the 70s through the early 2000s. Friday’s acts feature Liz Mitchell, famed original singer of disco icon group Boney M, alongside ska legends Bad Manners, glam rock band Doctor and the Medics, and TV personality Timmy Mallet. Saturday will highlight influential artists from the 90s and 2000s hip-hop, R&B, and UK Garage scenes, including So Solid Crew, Tinchy Stryder, Artful Dodger, Blazin’ Squad, as well as boyband 911. Early 2000s comedy duo and TV presenters Dick & Dom will also be spinning DJs.
If licensed, Wiltshire Throwback Festival will welcome music lovers to a nostalgic celebration filled with memorable performances, promising lively entertainment in the heart of Melksham.