Buzzstock Music Festival in Leighton Buzzard expands with second stage

The Ouzel Stage, named after the Ouzel Brook that runs alongside the meadow venue, will showcase a mix of homegrown talent, headline acts and DJs alongside the festival’s main stage.

Festival founder and organiser Andrena Carden-Higgins explained: "The addition of a second stage reflects the growing appetite for live music and community events in the town and our desire to add variety for all tastes.

“Buzzstock has always been about celebrating music and bringing people together. Adding the Ouzel Stage gives us the opportunity to support more performers, including local artists, and create even more atmosphere across the site.”

This year, Freddie and Friends is joining as Buzzstock’s charity partner, with the event helping to raise funds for special needs and disabilities (SEND) provision.

It’s also proudly supported by businesses and sponsors – and there are still opportunities for organisations to get on board.

The festival, in the meadow opposite Billington’s car boot field, will take place on Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18 and promises two days of music, food and fun.

While the main stage will continue to host high-energy acts and big hits, including this year's Dance Anthems Live and Massaoke, the Ouzel Stage will have an Indie Rock vibe on Friday and will host a House Dance Party with DJ collective, Funk My Life.

The Friday main stage headline act is Dance Anthems Live – bringing club-classics to get you in the weekend mood.

Support will be from local talent Chasing Tides, boyband tribute Undivided and Beyoncé Fierce belting out tunes from one of the most iconic performers of a generation.

And Friday night is Indie night on the Ouzel stage, featuring Arctic Monkeys tribute Artificial Monkeys as the headliners along with local teen band Syndicate, the blues/punk outfit The Dirty Mojos, and Green Day tribute Wenz Day.

On Saturday, the main stage headline act is MASSAOKE – a high energy experience that performs sing-along hits with the lyrics shown on screen.

They will be supported by local 80s band Solarzone, Olivia Rodrigo Tribute, Kylie tribute Rogue Minogue and Now That’s What I Call Brit Pop.

Over on the Ouzel stage it’s the Funk My Life takeover.

It’s not just music either – stand-up comic Johnny Murph will be performing with gags, stories and puns aplenty. He is currently the resident compère at Ollie Vees Tiki Bar Open Comedy Night, and when not on stage he’s a regular radio presenter with his 1970s pop music show ‘Plenty Of Seventies’ on Leighton Buzz Radio.

Meanwhile, the Happy Arena gives visitors the chance to get crafty – from ceramic painting and printing your own Buzzstock festival tote bags, to festival bracelets and free activities such as games and colouring.

It’s thanks to Happydashery and The.Workshop.Shop – both in Leighton Buzzard High Street.

You can visit the website to find out more or book tickets.