Unfest is back! Returning this year with what promises to be an explosion of art, music, street theatre, and culture across Tunbridge Wells over the 25th, 26th, and 27th of May. With so much happening, you may wonder what’s going on where, when, how, and why.
So we figured we’d take it upon ourselves to put together this ultimate guide to Unfest, in which we answer all your Unfest-related questions… your unquestions!
Plus — we speak to Unfest co-founder Richard Simm about how this festival began, what it means for the Tunbridge Wells community, and more.
What Is Unfest?
Founded in 2010 by the team behind the Tunbridge Wells Forum, Unfest is a fringe festival with a diverse programme made up of live music and spoken word.
Unfest is not another field festival — and that’s deliberate!
“Field festivals tend to pull people away from town. At the same time, they often cause a negative impact on the green spaces they inhabit for a weekend.”
Unfest not only celebrates the wonderful acts that entertain, inspire, and move us, but it also champions the businesses that together form the cultural fabric of this amazing town.
So, what is Unfest? It’s an “urban fringe festival” staged across various locations and venues in Tunbridge Wells — but, there’s more…
Unfest is free! No catch — this is also deliberate:
“By making the festival free and all day, Unfest allowed us the ability to showcase all the participating venues, including the Forum. Invite people to come and not have to pay anything. That way if they really didn’t like it they could leave having lost nothing.”
But people did like it. They loved it! And they’ve returned year upon year for more. This year marks the 12th Unfest, and it’s made possible because of the continuous support by local businesses and sponsors.
“As well as a great deal of support from Forum volunteers and patrons and other partners like Word Up and Local and Live, the festival is thrilled to have been awarded two grants, one from TWBC and one from the town’s BID – Royal Tunbridge Wells Together.”
Which Venues Are Hosting Unfest in 2024?
The Forum, The Sussex Arms, The George, and The Royal Oak will all be hosting acts this year. The Local & Live stage will be on Sussex Mews.
See below for a full programme detailing the performances, times, and their locations.
Can I Take Part in Unfest?
“The programme is now full. We do get A LOT of submissions. We tend to give priority to acts that have played with us in the year before. The Forum hosts a regular new band showcase — The Stable — as well as an Under 18s night. So there are plenty of opportunities to work with us throughout the year.”
There are also open mic sessions on the Word Up! stage, though slots are limited, and they are first come, first served!
Visit the Forum’s Stable Showcase page for more information on how you can get a chance to perform on stage at the Forum during the summer.
Do I need Tickets?
You do not need tickets! This is part of what makes Unfest so special. Entry is free so you can pop in and out of venues to watch and listen to whatever takes your fancy. The pubs, venues, and local businesses will operate as usual so there are plenty of options for food and drinks.
Best Places to Eat and Drink During Unfest?
The venues hosting Unfest are some of the best pubs in Tunbridge Wells, and they all serve a fantastic range of drinks, food, and snacks.
1. The George Pub
We happen to serve an excellent array of drinks, including our very own Fonthill cask and keg beer, alongside weird and wonderful craft beers, cider, ale, gin, and more. We also cook delicious snacks and hot meals that perfectly complement a cold drink — see our menu for a taste of what we offer, and to check our kitchen opening times.
2. The Sussex Arms
If you’re looking for a place near the Pantiles to quench your thirst, we recommend The Sussex Arms. As one of the main stages of Unfest, you can enjoy a variety of performances on Sussex Mews, just outside the pub and live DJs in the evening. The Sussex Mews stage is run by our fellow local music charity Local and Live.
3. The Ragged Trousers
The unofficial Unfest canteen, check out our sister venue, “bistro by day, pub by night”, The Ragged Trousers on The Pantiles. The Ragged is one of the best places for lunch in Tunbridge Wells. The pub will serves food from Thursday to Monday. See The Ragged Trousers menu online to learn more.
4. The Royal Oak
The Royal Oak is a family-run pub. They serve hot meals, including pub classics, burgers, and curries, as well as small snacks and sandwiches. For drinks, you can find a selection of beers, ciders, spirits, and soft drinks. They also stock a selection of craft beers and ciders from around the UK.
5. Food Stalls
There will be a pop up food stall at the Forum, and there are also a huge number of independent bars, cafes and restaurants on the Pantiles, most with outdoor seating. If you’re visiting for the first time, check out our post on things to do in Tunbridge Wells, and this handy guide on the best restaurants in Tunbridge Wells.
Why Is It Called Unfest? How It All Began
Unfest is named after The Forum’s inhouse record label, “Unlabel”. Unlabel has been releasing records by emerging acts for about as long as The Forum has been around — since 1993.
Unfest is a little unconventional in its free entry policy, and its insistence on keeping the stages in actual businesses that host music and arts events throughout the year. We asked Richard why this is so important:
“The businesses are as vital to the local music scene as the acts and audiences. Without them — and most importantly the promoters and technicians who work there — there would be very little in the way of a year-round cultural offering. Especially because acts don’t become artists without practice.”
So, the opportunity for emerging acts to perform in front of an audience, to get practice, is this an important aspect of Unfest?
“The Forum’s entire existence is built around the need for bands to have a place to hone their craft… whether or not they go onto bigger things. Unfest is very much the same…”
And if that isn’t wholesome enough to leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling, come over to The George and we’ll pour you another pint!
Without further ado, we present the programme for Unfest 2024. Please feel free to bookmark it, share it, tweet it, or save it — enjoy!
Unfest 2024 Programme
*Please note the programme can be subject to change at short notice.
Friday 24th May
THE ROYAL OAK
- 8:00PM – 11:00PM – AMERICANA SESSIONS (A fantastic line up of local musicians raising funds for Superjam)
FONTHILL TAPROOM
- 7:00PM-11:00PM – ONLY VINYL (It’s Vinyl Tap but Vinyl records allowed only! Tweleve 20 minute DJ sets up for grabs.)
Saturday 25th May
THE FORUM (Inside)
- 1:00PM – VOX POP
- 2:00PM – THE ACT
- 3:00PM – CRIMSON
- 4:00PM – CIVIL COMPLEX
- 5:00PM – WILD HORSE
- 6:00PM – THE STREET LIGHTS
- 7:00PM – THE KINKY MACHINE
- 8:00PM – GRAMMA VENDATTA
- 9:00PM – ORCHA
- 10:00PM – LONDON AFROBEAT COLLECTIVE
THE FORUM (Outside) – WORD UP! SPOKEN WORD
- 1:30PM – DAN JORDAN
- 2:30PM – LONDON POETS
- 3:30PM – WORD UP! OPEN MIC
- 4:30PM – JOE WALKER ACOUSTIC SET
- 5:30PM – RHI KAVOK
THE GEORGE
- 3:00PM – JOE ACKERLEY
- 4:00PM – MIA FILLIS
- 5:00PM – LUCY MAKES NOISE
- 6:00PM – T.B.C.
- 7:00PM – ALL THE ABOVE
- 8:00PM – THE STREET LIGHTS
THE SUSSEX ARMS (Inside)
- ALL DAY UNTIL LATE – DJs
- FOOD BY RASCALS
SUSSEX MEWS (LOCAL & LIVE STAGE)
- 1:30PM – MIKE WILTON
- 2:05PM – GEORDIE HUNTER
- 2:45PM – CHARLIE RIVERS BAND
- 3:20PM – CROW LEMNIAS
- 3:55PM – ROB PICAZO
- 4:30PM – THE ACKERLEYS
- 5:10PM – THE PAUL DUNTON ORCHESTRA
- 6:10PM – HARRY WHITTY BAND
- 8:00PM – THE VARLIES
THE ROYAL OAK
- 2:00PM-11:00PM – SUPAJAM SATURDAY Featuring students from the Supajam Colleges and local bands just happy to jam and help raise funds. Headline band this year – The Pistol Whippets (8.30pm).
FONTHILL TAPROOM
- 4:00PM-6:00PM – THE HAYLOFT EXPERIMENT An ambient drone improvisation featuring elements of folk and electronica. Join the journey with your sounds or with your presence.
Sunday 26th May
THE FORUM (inside)
- 2:00PM – FROST
- 3:00PM – TORSO
- 4:00PM – HIGGS AND THE BOSONS
- 5:00PM – PAUL CHEESE
- 6:00PM – ASH DODD
- 7:00PM – BONES ATE ARFA
- 8:00PM – BOMBAY MONKEY
- 9:00PM – CODE:MARLA
- 10:00PM – NIGHT WITHOUT SLEEP
- 10:30PM – SUPERZERO
THE FORUM (Outside) – WORD UP! SPOKEN WORD
- 1:30PM – DAN JORDAN
- 2:30PM – UNDER 18s OPEN MIC with Jacob Dolley and Eddie Dean
- 3:30PM – WORD UP! OPEN MIC
- 4:30PM – JACK LEON MACKAY
- 5:30PM – SPECIAL GUEST TBA
THE SUSSEX ARMS (Inside)
- ALL DAY UNTIL LATE – DJs
- FOOD BY RASCALS
SUSSEX MEWS (LOCAL & LIVE STAGE)
- 1:30PM – JENNIFER LEE RIDLEY
- 2:05PM – CHLOE GORRINGE
- 2:40PM – RYAN WEEKS
- 3:15PM – MATT JAMES
- 3:50PM – DORIS AMY
- 4:25PM – JAMES McMASTER
- 5:00PM – SEAN DE BURCA
- 6:00PM – MATT FALLON
THE ROYAL OAK
- 5:00PM-10:00PM – FOLK IN THE OAK A fantastic mix of traditional British, American and modern folk. Hosted by John and Di Cullen. Line-up so far includes The Harveys, Alchemy Acoustic, Terry Lees and Natasha Norodien, Four Gone Confusion. More acts and timings to follow.
Monday 27th May
THE FORUM (Inside)
- 7:30PM – THE SKINTS *Ticketed*
SUSSEX MEWS (LOCAL & LIVE STAGE)
- 1:30PM – JEZ HARLEY
- 2:05PM – STEFFAN JAMES
- 2:40PM – LEO AND TINGLEY
- 3:20PM – CALICO
- 4:05PM – STEVE HEWITT
- 4:45PM – ANNA HOWIE
- 5:35PM – COUNTRY FOLK
THE ROYAL OAK
- 2:00PM-8:00PM – GARDEN SESSIONS
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