WITH less than five weeks to go until War Memorial Park comes alive with the sound of Basingstoke’s music it is time to talk to the main event managers and look at what the main stage has to offer.

The free two-day festival, which showcases the breadth of Basingstoke’s musical talent on four stages, is now in its fourth year.

For the third year running, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, which funds the event, has contracted Drum Runners Trading to handle the mammoth task of co-ordinating the festival.

With the help of fellow members of Basingstoke Live Forum, Drum Runners – otherwise known as Jason Knight and Paul Midgley – pull together all the strings from four different stages, their promoters, artists, volunteers, sponsors and traders.

Knight, who runs projects, workshops, performances and events across the south east using music, multimedia and creative arts, said: “A lot of people put a lot of work in without expecting anything back which is why Basingstoke Live really brings the community together.

“People in the Forum love what they do and most artists do it only covering expenses because it’s an opportunity for them to showcase their music. And we have everything from soul singers through to blues and gypsy bands, rock, metal and pop.”

He added that the festival, which attracted about 15,000 last year, is primarily recognised as a music event, but there will also be performances by Strictly School of Dance, Happy Feet Dance School, Chineham Park Primary School and a range of entertainment presented by Fairfields Arts Centre – all on the main stage.

Knight said that the event has grown steadily over the years, but the organisers are deliberately pacing themselves.

“When things go well people have great ideas but if you run too fast it could go wrong,” he said.

“It’s better to have a couple of stable years and build it up.

“Through the website we get lots of inquiries, even internationally, from people who want to be involved and perform here, but most of the performers are from Basingstoke or the surrounding area or have links with the town.

“We are keen to keep it with a Basingstoke focus and if performers are not from Basingstoke there’s a very good reason for it.”

Midgley added: “Thankfully, the character of Basingstoke Live is what local people have made it. The festival has always had the community and creative thinking at the heart of the event.”

As well as a main stage, the festival boasts three other stages – 100% Tent, Sunrise Stage and the Unplgd! Stage.

Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council funds the festival to the tune of about £27,000, which is supplemented by trade and catering on site and sponsors. The latter include Vinvolved, which sponsors the Unplgd! Stage, Sainsbury’s, which supplies artists with nourishment and lots of water, Kestrel FM, Swervjamm and The Escape, which sponsors the website and programmes.

“We get an awful lot of out of the budget but with more we could offer a different range of headliners and street artists to dress up the festival,” said Knight.

A series of fringe events will kick off from June 19, to get Basingstoke into the spirit of live entertainment.

More information is available at basingstokelive.co.uk.

Music fans can also follow Basingstoke Live on Twitter @twitter.com/basingstokelive or join the Basingstoke Live group on Facebook.