Author Archives: South Downs

In memory of Jim Brooks who was a big part of our event, but who sadly passed away this January, we will create the ‘Jim Brooks Memorial Stage’.
The stage will operate at the southern end of London Road and will feature great dancing, Shanty singing and other exciting entertainment.

We’re thrilled to be introducing the Marquee Concerts at the South Downs Music Festival 2025

Friday 19th September – Gerry Colvin followed by Merry Hell
Saturday 21st September – Flossie Malavialle followed by The Alistair Goodwin Band
Tickets are £15 per evening or £25 for both evenings.
Both evening concerts commence at 7.30pm.

More info: Marquee Concerts

ROX Returns to the Seafront!

After a gap of over 10 years, the iconic ROX Music & Arts brand is set to return to Bognor Regis seafront this September as part of the Southdowns Music Festival.

In close partnership with Bognorphenia, they will be hosting the Rising Stars stage which will be situated on the closed seafront outside The Promenade Bar and will run from 12 noon to 6pm on the 21st and 22nd of September. Chair of the Southdowns Music Festival, Roger Nash, said “It’s great to give the team from ROX the opportunity to get back to their roots after over 30 years championing young local artists and providing a professional platform for them to perform on. Bognorphenia have also been incredibly supportive of young artists in recent years through their dedicated community work so it’s exciting to bring them together to try and recreate some of the special atmosphere that they are both so well known for.”

ROX Co-Founder, Steve Goodheart, added “A number of issues stopped ROX from holding any events over the last few years, none less so than a global pandemic! I think everyone thought we’d disappeared; it hasn’t been easy but here we are – back on the seafront ready to do it all over again! We’re grateful to Roger and all the team at Bognorphenia for allowing us to dip our toes back in the water and we’re looking forward to working with all of the partners involved in this event.”

Whether you’re in an up and coming local band or already a young established performer – if you would like to showcase your talents, you can apply by emailing bognorphenia@gmail.com please include your contact number, any links to performances you’d like to share with us and a brief description of your musical style and why you’d like to play!

During our Festival Langham Brewery will be ‘taking over’ the Waverley in west Bognor Regis between 20th and 22nd September and during those dates, all the beers will be from Langhams. They will also be launching a new beer at the festival – further news to follow!

Support our Festival Fiver Fundraiser ⭐

The Southdowns Music Festival is now into its second decade here in Sunny Bognor Regis.
Over the years, we have entertained and involved thousands of people who have come away with big smiles on their faces, and warmth in their hearts!

We want to continue giving people a great time, but we need your help to make this happen please. Every year our costs go up and things get increasingly tight, so anything you can give to help us continue our festival and make it bigger and better, would be hugely appreciated.

Please follow this link:

to give a fiver!

Many thanks for all your support.

We’re thrilled that the Mary Rose & Royal George Morris Dancers will join us for this summer’s event.
They will dance on Saturday 23rd September – times and locations to follow.

Mary Rose and Royal George are a Portsmouth based dancing team, who aim to bring a lively new approach to the entertaining morris style of dancing. Their unique style takes its inspiration from a number of morris traditions including, Border, Cotswold, Molly and Rapper. These influences added with their own unique flair make them a true pleasure to watch.
Established in 2015 they are building a fantastic reputation for themselves as a team of unique dancers who are fun and enjoyable to watch and socialise with.

Find out more: Mary Rose and Royal George.

Come and have a go on our new stage!
The new stage is open from midday until 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
Interested? Email rnash10@hotmail.com

The popular `Making Your Mark` returns this Wednesday, 15th February at the Waverley.
It’s just £2 for the session (10am to 12 noon) to include tea or coffee.
Come and have fun and brush up on your ukulele skills. What’s not to like?!

What an absolutely fabulous weekend! ⭐️
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Thank you for sharing our festival with us here in Bognor Regis – it has already been cited as ~
“A wonderful, well-received festival”
“Another great festival”
“2022 was probably the best festival so far”
“Such fun!”
⠀
With huge thanks to all the wonderfully talented people involved – the musicians, the crafters, the singers, the dancers, the technical teams, the workshop leaders, the stewards, the venues and promoters etc and to all those who bought tickets to support our local music scene.
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It was so good to enjoy live music, dance, workshops and so much more, together.⠀
We’ll be sharing more images (and videos) from the event over the following few days. ⠀
Do tag us into your festival images and videos, we’d love to see them.⠀
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With love and HUGE thanks, the Southdowns Music Festival team.⠀
Photo credits to @lynandtrevsports

Huge thanks to the autumn edition of Chichester Area Talking News for the interview with Roger Nash, our festival chair person and organiser.

You can listen to autumn version of Talking News just here: Chichester Area Talking News.

The programme includes:
Introduction to the Autumn 2022 edition of Insight
David Bathurst on singing Beatles songs
Roger Nash – Southdowns Music Festival
Shetland Islands 2 with Kate Cameron
ROVI – Melissa Ratledge and Lesley Gogarty
The Kings Ride – Helen Millen
Phil Hewitt talks about the Chichester Festival Theatre
Chartres with Michael Bevis
Chestnut Tree House – Nicky Clark
Dragonflies and Aircraft with Richart Williamson