Teddy Rocks Festival 2023
at Charisworth Farm in Blandford, UK
photos and words by Phoebe Reeks

Teddy Rocks Festival returned to rural Dorset for yet another three days of awesome live music and entertainment across several stages. Huge crowds filled out the fields of Charisworth Farm in Blandford for what was their biggest festival yet, with a huge range of acts performing. What started as a small pub gig back in 2011, has grown massively over the years whilst raising a considerable amount of money for charities supporting children and families affected by cancer, including their own Teddy20.

Friday’s party themed night, saw the likes of Goldie Lookin Chain and East 17 opening the main stage before Vengaboys, arrived on stage, performing a range of pop songs, including their hits, ‘We’re going to Ibiza’ and ‘We Like to Party’.

Welsh rockers, Feeder returned to the festival to headline the main stage on Saturday, performing various hit songs including ‘Feeling A Moment’, ‘Buck Rogers’ and ‘Just A Day’. Warming up the main stage were upcoming rock band The Amazons, performing several songs from their latest album release, How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me?

Sunday’s headliner Jake Bugg performed an array of songs from his albums, including popular releases, ‘Two Fingers’ ‘Lightning Bolt’ and ‘All I Need’. The Reytons warmed up the crowd before him, performing a range of songs from their two albums, including ‘Red Smoke’, ‘On the Back Burner’ and ‘Kids Off the Estate’.

The festival had a variety of acts performing across various genres; from more chilled folk, acoustic and blues, to pop, rock and metal. If you like a good tribute band, the Big Man Top Stage had plenty, including cover bands for Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana, Tenacious D, Foo Fighters, Paramore, and a metal tribute to the Bee Gees.

Across the weekend, the Ted Newton main stage had a variety of other acts including Rianne Downey, Dutty Moonshine Big Band, Kid Kapichi, Those Damn Crows and Punk Rock Factory to name a few. Teddy Rocks’ festival founder, Tom Newton’s band, The Bottom Line also stepped up to the main stage on the Saturday, giving an energetic performance to a large crowd. Throughout the weekend, the Ted Newton Main stage displayed lots of confetti and pyrotechnics which kept the crowd hyped throughout and made for incredible visual finales.

The Vocalzone stage offered more upcoming acts to perform, with local promoters We Broke Free promoting some of the best local and national bands on the Sunday. Artists across the weekend included Snake Eyes, Moskito, Crash Face, Snayx and locals Happy Cry, Wave Chase and Small Talk.

Within the Merry Woodland area, there were two stages with various acts performing across the weekend, including Quinns Quinney, Sixteen String Jack and 3 Daft Monkeys.

If the extensive range of music wasn’t enough, there were plenty of other activities across the site too, with many food stalls, bars, and entertainment for all the family; from woodland games, funfair rides and bumper cars to crazy golf and axe-throwing, as well as comedy entertainment and even a petting zoo.

The festival has something to cater for everyone. It is a well-organised festival which is perfect for all ages, with spaces to enjoy a catch up with friends as well as enjoy the music. Children and families are at the centre of what this festival is all about. This lovely family friendly festival has a chilled, welcoming vibe, offering a safe space for children to see music live whilst also raising money for an important cause too. Tickets for next year’s festival are on sale now, so don’t miss out!