Free americana is always a good thing (well, maybe not if you’re a musician) and in that spirit the Al Festo festival which takes place at the Sun Inn, Dedham, Colchester is returning for a fifth year on 13th and 14th July. It’s described as “a mini-Maverick and without the camping that mixes the best of Americana and Folk music with craft beer and great food in beautiful surroundings with wonderful people.”
Five acts play each day from 12pm until 6pm (due to licencing and neighbours, the festival has to finish each day at 6pm with the garden empty by 8pm) – so you can festival and still be tucked up with a Horlicks by bedtime. There’s hay to sit on, water for your dogs and it’s all undercover in case it rains. Which hey, it’s the UK, so it will.
The line-up this year includes Polly Haynes, My Darling Clementine, the Hallelujah Trails, Brooke Telling and Ady Johnson among others. Head over to their site here for more information.