Bumper year for Blue Reef Festival
Surf rockers Reef, Toploader and DJ Brandon Block to headline two-day Blue Reef Fest
In a scenic corner of Loddington Farm, Maidstone, Blue Reef Festival (@blue_reef_fest) founder John Wingate is in the process of plotting out a field nestled between the orchards of the fifth-generation apple farm - relaxed, focused and fulfilling a promise he made to himself some years ago while being almost crushed alive by an industrial machine.
It was life-changing moment that put things into perspective for John - while emergency responders battled to save his life, he made a promise to himself that if he made it out of this alive he would pursue every ambition he had ever dreamt up in his life, the penultimate being hosting his own festival.
John Wingate
And on 21 July, John’s vision becomes a reality once again as Blue Reef Festival makes a triumphant return for its third year. This year the line-up is the biggest so far and is still growing, with acts spread across three unique stages, bringing the likes of surf rockers Reef, dancing in the moonlight favourites Toploader and the world-renowned DJ Brandon Block to headline the brand-new DJ tent dedicated to all things dance music.
The 2023 edition of the festival has also seen it expand across two days for a weekend set to be packed full of live music, camping, arts and culture, paired with an incredible selection of world food and drink alongside produce from Loddington Farm.
The festival found a home at Loddington in 2021 and now, thanks to the site’s Blue Reef Coffee Shop hosting live music sessions, a community of musicians and artists has developed into a year-round music and creative arts hub.
A lifelong passion for live music, coupled with the relationships that have grown from these sessions, has allowed Blue Reef to curate a varied line-up of established names with undiscovered gems.
Since its inception, Blue Reef has been synonymous with surf culture and the classic campervan scene; however, John’s love and knowledge of festivals has allowed the event to grow into something authentically unique.
With a strong focus on nurturing a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, Blue Reef Festival provides a superb opportunity for friends and families to soak up some of the most chilled-out summer vibes Kent has to offer this festival season.
