Brownstock Music Festival


The Brownstock Music Festival is a music festival held annually at Morris Farm in Chelmsford, Essex. The festival, held over three days annually since 2005, attracts thousands of visitors each year. It was operated by Count of Ten Ltd which is now owned by Global Radio. The festival started small, but now has 4 separate stages and 23 festival areas. The festival takes pride in its independent and homegrown roots. For example, Aberdeen Angus beef from the farm being the only beef you can buy at the festival and the family hand-make many of the festival decorations.
The 2016 Festival took place on the weekend of the 8–10 July. Over the weekend the festival saw headline sets from Tinie Tempah, Mark Ronson, Kelis, + another 150 acts over the 3 days.

2005–2008

The first three Brownstock Festivals were private family events hosting local bands that were unsigned at the time, including The Brights, Darwyn, These New Puritans and Matt Cardle.

2009

In 2009 the Brown Family applied for and were granted an official entertainments licence by Essex Country Council and the event became public for the first time. It was headlined by The Holloways and Finley Quaye.

2010

The 2010 festival grew to 2 stages – a dance stage and a main stage. The festival was also covered by BBC Introducing for the first time. It was headlined by The Reverend and the Makers and Dan le sac vs Scroobius Pip.

2011

The 2011 festival had the largest number of visitors to date, reaching the licence capacity of 4999. The 2011 festival had 5 stages and over 100 acts during the weekend. The stages included a Piano Bar, Dance Tent, Main Stage, Silent Disco and Comedy Stage. It was headlined by Pendulum, Example, Athlete and Ms. Dynamite

2012

The 2012 festival took place on 31 August–2 September 2012. The festival saw the return of The Piano Bar as well as new additions The Treehouse Stage and The Stumble Inn. the festival was headlined by Labrinth, Zane Lowe, The Futureheads and Nero.

2013

The 2013 festival took place on 30 August–1 September 2013. The festival grew by an extra 2000 people and was headlined by DJ Yoda, Professor Green and The Fratellis.

2014

The 2014 festival took place on 29–31 August 2013. Celebrating its 10th Birthday the festival was headlined by Dizzee Rascal, De La Soul and Razorlight.