What’s Next in 2024

This year sees Light & Hoppy once again providing bars at the Gate to Southwell (from the 4th to the 7th of July) and Underneath the Stars (from the 2nd to the 4th of August). Both festivals have already revealed stunning lineups, with Gate to Southwell boasting Rhiannon Giddens, Mànran, Blue Rose Code, The Haar and many more, whilst Kate Rusby, Blazin’ Fiddles, The Feeling and Bill Bailey top the bill at Underneath the Stars.

Gate to Southwell Festival (photo credit David Bradley)

Of course, that means we’ll need plenty of staff for what’s sure to be another amazing festival season, so we’re once again putting out the call for volunteers! If you want to work on the bar at one or both festivals, just click this link to be taken to our sign up form. Full training will be provided, although we of course must insist that only over-18s apply. We’ll see you there!

2023 Summer Plans

Light & Hoppy will once again be providing the bars for both the Gate to Southwell Festival and Underneath the Stars (29/6/23-2/7/23 and 4/8/23-6/8/23, respectively). Both festivals are situated on stunning sites; Gate to Southwell’s lakeside location is just outside Nottinghamshire’s “hidden gem”, the Minster town of Southwell, whilst Underneath the Stars takes place on rolling farmland on the edge of the picturesque village of Cawthorne in Yorkshire.

The view of the Main Stage at Southwell from the Boathouse Bar.

Both festivals have announced strong lineups already. Gate to Southwell kicks off on Thursday night with their much loved blues night – headlined by Nine Below Zero – with other acts across the weekend including Dog Show Sessions (the musical alliance of Show of Hands and Track Dogs), The Raghu Dixit Project, Tom Russell, Martyn Joseph, Kabantu, Bonfire Radicals, Rory McLeod, London Afrobeat Collective, Jake Blount, Martin Harley Band and John Smith, with more to come.

Underneath the Stars, meanwhile, have announced a range of artists, including Scouting for Girls, The Shires, Newton Faulkner, The Magic Numbers, Skerryvore, Molotov Jukebox and of course Kate Rusby, with more names to be announced. Joining the Light and Hoppy team will give you the chance to see some of these incredible artists while working alongside a great bunch of like-minded people. Check out our Volunteer page here!

Summer 2021

Having had to take a year off owing to the pandemic, both the Gate to Southwell Festival and Underneath the Stars came back stronger than ever this year. With a stunning new lakeside site in Kirklington – just outside Southwell – and open-air stages, audiences were wowed by what the organisers had achieved at GTSF, whilst Underneath the Stars adapted their lovely site next to the beautiful village of Cawthorne to great effect.

A beautiful shot of the Gate to Southwell site at night

For next year, Underneath the Stars will be sticking with the same time of year (the 29th-31st of July), whereas the Gate to Southwell will be moving to midsummer; specifically, the 14th-17th of July. Applications to work on both bars are now open – see our Volunteer page for details.

The bar at Underneath the Stars, ready for action!

“Just wanted to send an email saying it was an absolute blast being able to work with you guys over the past few days. Thank you so much for the opportunity to work on bar. I really did have a lot of fun. 

Hope to see you again next year for the festival :)”

B

“Just a quick line to say I thought it was a lovely festival and a pleasure working with you again.”

S

Lovely testimonials from some of our volunteers at Southwell!
Festival goers enjoying themselves at the Gate to Southwell