Mat tell us about your background and The Happy Days Festival?

I have always been connected to the music industry in one way or another. Initially, a DJ working the clubs in South West London, to starting my own company which grew into one of the most reputable and professional sound and lighting businesses in the music industry, working with both UK and international Artists.

The concept of Happy Days Festival came back in 2010 when I noticed there was a gap in the market for a festival targeted at the slightly older audience, who may have families and would have specific music tastes, from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

The idea was to position Happy Days Festival between the ‘normal’ festival experience and a ‘full on‘ music concert. The Happy Days Team want our festival goers to have a weekend of fun, as well as the chance to enjoy live music by a variety of established artists, with each set being around an hour. We wanted to provide the best entertainment at an affordable price that represented true value for money.

Who is in the line up this year?

Artists confirmed for Saturday 25th May:

Sister Sledge Live feat. Kathy Sledge, Angie Stone, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Sugar Hill Gang + Melle Mel & Scorpio, Deniece Williams, British Collective feat, Noel McKoy, Omar, Junior & Don-e, Tom “Jamaica Funk” Browne.

Artists confirmed for Sunday 26th May:

Jimmy Cliff, The Selecter, Maxi Priest, Aswad, Cuban Brothers, Norman Jay (MBE), The Dualers.

How can we get tickets?

Tickets can be purchased via our website at: www.hdfestival.co.uk.

What do you have planned for future events and where do you see the business in the future?

For the time being we are concentrating on the Happy Days Festival brand and we may explore venues in the north of the UK as a possibility for expansion. The outdoor music festival market has evolved since the 90s, becoming much more mainstream and part of the British summertime experience. The combination of friends and families is very important and events such as Happy Days Festival, which attract regular attendees have the advantage. The festival can become part of the festival goer’s life story and sense of self, with the ethos, style and layout of a festival promoting feelings of familiarity and belonging, while the changing programme of acts and attractions adds feelings of difference and excitement. Happy Days!

Happy Days Festival 2019
25-26 May
Imber Court, Esher
www.hdfestival.co.uk