What’s happening at the final day of Retrofestival 2024, taking place at Newbury Showground
Retrofestival has been entertaining thousands at Newbury Showground over the weekend.
Today (Sunday) is the final day of the event dedicated to music, memorabilia, classic cars and vintage markets.
Audiences have been lapping up the sounds and sights of yesteryear, and there is more to come.
Three stages are set up for a variety of acts across the weekend, and there is an airshow and an arena area.
What will the weather be like at Retrofestival on Sunday?
Hot. Very hot.
Until mid-afternoon, it will be sunny and cloudy, then from 4pm the skies will clear and it will be brilliant sunshine.
The heat is expected to be a remnant of Storm Debby moving the jet stream and bringing some hot weather to us.
Temperatures will be 21ºC from 10am, rising to 28ºC to 29ºC by 3pm.
What entertainment is happening on Sunday, August 10?
There are three stages.
The Black Hangar will specialise in rock n roll and rockabilly
The Ricky-Tick will feature 60s, mod, soul and Nothern Soul
The Spitfire Pavilion will be 20s and 30s.
THE BLACK HANGAR STAGE
On Sunday, The Black Hangar Stage will have entertainment from 11am.
Jive Revive will give some Lindy Hop and jive dance classes at 11am and again at 3.15pm.
The Hi-Fi’s will be the first act on. The London-based three-piece will perform rock n roll and rockabilly, including some lesser-known hits.
Sammy Jo and the Red Flames will be presenting some of their homegrown songs as well as some favourites, starting at 1.30pm.
At 5pm, The Summertime Kings will bring an authentic rock n roll sound with vocal harmonies and popular tunes.
Rockin’ the Joint will present rock and roll, jive, swing and rockabilly to the crowds at 7pm.
Headlining will be The Revolutionaires, at 8.45pm. The band perform a mixture of 40s and 50s R&B music, including hits by Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Roy Brown.
Between sets, DJ Stompin’ Steve will provide some tunes.
THE SPITFIRE PAVILION
The Spitfire Pavilion will close at 6pm, and music transferring to the Black Hangar stage. It will, once again, be hosted by Alan and Lisa McGurk.
DJ Sizzlin’ Jim will be spinning his tunes at 11am, 12.15pm, 3pm and 4.30pm.
The Swingsters Dance Class will invite people to learn some routines at 11.30am and 1.30pm.
Three-part harmony trio The Knightingales will perform at 12.45pm and 2.15pm, bringing a mixture of well-known classics from across the decades.
Also performing will be Hollie B and the Rocketeers, with a mixture of rhythm and blues and early rock n roll, at 3.45pm and 5pm.
THE RICKY-TICK
Martin Fuggles will host The Ricky Tick Stage, with DJ sets
Wardour Street, a Berkshire-based band, open the day with a set from 12.30pm. Performing for nearly a decade, they celebrate the Mod Revival and the New Wave scene.
At 2pm, Ska Britannia will bring covers from bands such as Madness, The Specials, Bad Manners, UB40 and The Kingsmen.
At 3.45pm, Reading band The Highwasters will present tunes from The Kinks, The Who, The Small Faces and other Power-Pop classics from the 70s.
Motor City Vipers are an eight-piece party soul band who lovingly recreate a wide selection of Motown and Northern Soul floor-fillers from the 60s and 70s, and will perform at 5.45pm and 7pm.
Classic cars
Organisers are hopeful that 1,000 classic cars and motorbikes will be coming to Newbury for the weekend.
They will include military pre- and post-war vehicles, a recreation of a field hospital, miniature steam engines – and full-sized ones.
Scooters from the Mod era will also be on show, as will classic caravans.
What else is happening at Retrofestival?
A vintage funfair will be a popular attraction for visitors, and it will include a wall of death.
People will be able to try their hand at classic fairground games.
Food stalls will provide tasty treats.
For those who want to look the part, a hairdresser will give people the opportunity to style their hair – the first time they have come to the event.
The salon is set out to look like it’s from the 1940s, and services will include make-up as well as hair.
Shopping at Retrofestival
There are more than 100 traders coming to Retrofestival, offering a wide range of items.
They include car parts, vintage clothes, retro signs, toys, toiletries, dog treats, artworks, vinyl music, rugs, upcycled items, and memorabilia.
Tutt’s Clump Cider will have a stall, along with other food and drink firms.
Stall holders will be allowed to leave the site from 6pm, so be prepared for some to pack up early.
Where does Retrofestival take place?
Retrofestival takes place in Newbury Showground, Priors Court, Hermitage, Thatcham RG18 9QZ.
For those who haven’t been there before, follow signs from Junction 13 of the M4.
How do I get to Newbury Showground?
A shuttle bus runs from Newbury Railway Station on Saturday and Sunday.
Departures are 10am, 11.30am and 12.30pm.
It goes to the Chieveley Services Travelodge before heading to the main entrance of the showground.
The return trips depart from the showground at 6pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm.
What about car parking at Retrofestival?
A free car park is available on site. Premium parking close to the main entrance is £5 and should be booked in advance.
What are the opening times for Retrofestival on Sunday?
The festival is open from 10am to 11pm on Sunday.
However, traders will be allowed to leave the site from 6pm, and some venues will stop the music earlier in the evening.
How much are Sunday tickets for Retrofestival?
Weekend and camping tickets are now sold out, but tickets will be available on the gate.
Entry on Sunday is from 10am, and closes at 11pm.
For an all-day ticket: £30 for adults, £10 for children aged 10 to 16. Under 10s get in free.
A daytime ticket, with exit by 6.30pm, is £25 for adults, £5 for 10 to 16, and under 10s free.
An evening only ticket is £15 for adults, £5 for 10 to 16, and under 10s free.
Premium parking is £5.
A weekend family ticket for two adults and two children is £70.
More details
The website www.retrofestival.co.uk contains more details about the festival, including a comprehensive question and answer page.
