Slough Fest to promote local artists this weekend

Slough Fest is the first of its kind, aimed at bringing the Slough community together and promoting local talent and businesses.

Starting at 11:30AM and running until 5:30PM on Saturday, October 15,the fest will take place at Town Square, outside Empire Cinema on Slough High Street.

Organiser Stephen Ambrose, also known as DJ and music producer Stevoss, says the event is aimed at “supporting local artists by giving them a platform”.

Love Music Hate Violence (Image: Love Music Hate Violence)

Rage is amongst the local talent due to perform this weekend (Credit: Love Music Hate Violence) 

“I am passionate about bringing new artists together and making sure music is at the forefront,” Stevoss added.

Alongside Clarissa Parker from Slough Bid, the two have put together the event to give back to the community.

The event will include a main stage with an LED wall, a DJ box and mic, alongside refreshments and food stalls.

Organisers hope the event will help bring people into the town and Queensmere shopping centre, encouraging festival goers to support local businesses and retailers.

“It is about bringing positivity to the high street, making sure it is a safe place, supporting the shops and the retailers,” Stevoss adds.

Founder of Love Music Hate Violence, Stevoss works closely with the community to spread anti violence and knife crime awareness, while providing locals with a space to express themselves through music and art.

Love Music Hate Violence (Image: Love Music Hate Violence)

Sabrina and Miss Sensi are both set to take the stage this weekend (Credit: Love Music Hate Violence)

Stevoss said: “Diversity is one of the key things around this event. The artists performing represent the diverse mix of the Slough community.”

Acts include musicians, singers, rappers, DJ’s, poets, writers, and other performers from a range of backgrounds and cultures, ranging from Polish rappers, Reggae music, Indian drumming and more.

Headliners include Rhymestar and Stevoss, amongst other artists such as Rage and Miss Sensi.

Slough Fest (Image: Slough Fest)

Slough Fest's line up to include rappers, drummers and more (Credit: Slough Fest)

The event is free and open to everyone, including families and people of all ages, however under 12’s must be accompanied by an adult.

Hosted by Sabrina and DJ Haashim and sponsored by Asian Star, the all-day event will be one to remember boast organisers.

Love Music Hate Violence (Image: Love Music Hate Violence)

Sabrina and Miss Sensi with the Slough Mayor at Love Music Love Slough in March (Credit: Love Music Love Slough)

The festival is the next in the Love Slough project, set up and run by the community to celebrate a range of artforms.

In March the project ran for three weeks featuring 20 different events including knitting, drumming, spoken word, dancing and more.

Focused around revitalising local arts and culture, the project is run by HOME Slough, a Creative People and Places programme funded by local authorities and founded in 2015.

Together with other groups such as Love Music Hate Violence and Slough Bid, they are empowering residents, supporting artists, local growth and building partnerships, both locally and nationally.