Melksham will host the first-ever Wiltshire Throwback Festival this month, with a packed line-up of original artists from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s set to perform at Oakfield Stadium over two days.
The brand-new event, also known as WTF25, is expected to attract thousands of people to the town and will feature performances from major names across four decades of music and TV.
Friday 20th June is a celebration of the 70s and 80s, with performances from disco legends Boney M., featuring original lead singer Liz Mitchell; ska favourites Bad Manners, currently on their 50th anniversary tour; and support from Doctor and the Medics and TV icon Timmy Mallett.
Saturday 21st June shifts into full 90s and 00s mode, with a lively line-up including boybands 911 and Blazin’ Squad, DJ sets from Artful Dodger, DJ Luck & MC Neat, and a high-energy show from Dick & Dom.
The weekend will build to a huge finale on the Saturday night with headline performances by Tinchy Stryder, Fuse ODG and So Solid Crew.
Nostalgia
“Wiltshire Throwback Festival has been designed with one goal in mind; to bring real nostalgia to life, right here in the heart of Wiltshire,” said festival organiser Nico Menghini. “This is a chance for attendees to see the artists and TV personalities they grew up with, live in their own county.”
The event marks the debut of Wiltshire Throwback Festival, and organisers say they hope it will become a regular fixture in Melksham’s events calendar.
Nico continued, “We believe WTF25 will do great things for Melksham, not just by creating memories, but by giving back. We’re committed to supporting local clubs and helping fund future community projects. Our ambition is to grow WTF into an annual highlight for the region — something people can look forward to every year.”
3,000 visitors a day
The festival is expected to welcome around 3,000 people each day, and organisers have worked closely with Wiltshire Police to ensure a smooth experience for residents and visitors. In response to concerns over parking, all parking will now be free, with marshals on nearby estates guiding traffic. Anyone who pre-paid for parking will receive a full refund.
“Parking will be on the football pitches, while the main arena will be located on the rugby pitches,” said Nico. “There will be plenty of space for everyone.”
The festival site will also feature a wide range of food vendors — from mac and cheese and Greek gyros to fish and chips and vegetarian options — as well as exclusive WTF25 lager and upgraded VIP facilities including ‘posh loo’ trailers.
“With tickets selling fast, we don’t want anyone to miss out on this unforgettable weekend. If you haven’t booked yet — now’s the time,” said Nico.
For more information and tickets, visit www.wtflive.co.uk
