Following calls on social media for live music to be included in Midsomer Norton's Fayre Day, the Community Trust has announced this week that the town is to have a new Live Music Festival in July 2016. Discussions had been underway for some months, but following the recent comments, it has been decided to end speculation.
"The plan is to run a music stage in the town centre on the same day as Midsomer Norton Fayre, next year on 9th July 2016 – designed to appeal to all of us who enjoyed the atmosphere and live music stages at the old Mardi Gras," said Alex Davis, from the Midsomer Norton Community Trust. "Whilst this year's Fayre was a great success and enjoyed by the many who attended, I think everybody now recognises that we need to develop a live music element and the vibe that always characterised that second Saturday of July in Midsomer Norton."
The aim is for there to be a main stage in the lower High Street – which would be shut to traffic between Martins and the traffic lights and to use local venues and traders to create a 'street party' feel. Talks, led by the Community Trust, have already begun with local groups to make this idea happen. So far, this includes the Community Trust, Somer Valley FM, the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Rotary Club and the Carnival Association. There have also been initial discussions with the Wunderbar and in the coming weeks, the organisers plan to contact other venues in the town centre to explore the possibility of running several live music stages later into the evening.
The first meeting of the 'Midsomer Norton Fayre – Music Fest' is taking place this week, in order to put together an outline plan for the event. The next step will be to approach B&NES Licensing and the Town Council in parrallel for funding, so that the event can remain free to music lovers.