Suede, Craig David, Peter Doherty, Miles Kane and Peter Hook from New Order are among the big names descending on the Chilterns this weekend for a celebration of indie and alternative rock.

PennFest, named after its home near Penn Street, always manages to pull in the big guns.

To see the full stage times for Friday and Saturday at PennFest, scroll down

Bucks Free Press:

Now in its ninth year, the two-day family-friendly music festival with camping will be headlined by indie rock pioneers Suede on Friday, and Craig David on Saturday.

The bill that also includes Happy Mondays, Jax Jones, Peter Hook, Goldie, Lady Leshurr and DJ sets by Basement Jaxx and Maxi Jazz.

Craig David says: “It’ll be my first time at PennFest and I’m really looking forward to closing the festival. I want it to be a massive party.”

Bucks Free Press:

Who's on and when?

The line-up for this year is pretty extensive. 

Alongside the main stage, acts will take to the ever-rocking Big Top Stage and the dance-focussed Warehouse Stage. 

There is also a wealth of exciting new talent on show at the Introducing Stage.

Stage Times for Friday.

Bucks Free Press:

 

Stage times for Saturday 

Bucks Free Press:

Top names (and which day they're playing)

Bucks Free Press:

Friday

Main Stage - 

  • Suede 
  • Pete Doherty
  • Miles Kane
  • The Rifles

Big Top Stage

  • The Farm 
  • Goldie
  • Noasis
  • Basement Jaxx

Saturday 

Main Stage

  • Craig David
  • Happy Mondays
  • Scouting For Girls
  • From the Jam (Bruce Foxton)

Big Top Stage

  • Peter Hook
  • Goldie Looking Chain
  • Lady Leshurr

Warehouse Stage

DJ Sets from:

  • Fabio
  • Ellis Dee
  • Altern8
  • Jason Kaye

Bucks Free Press:

What’s the weather looking like?

Make sure you have your wellies and waterproof ponchos at the ready! 

Bucks Free Press:

On Friday there is a 30-50% chance of rain from 11am till 7pm with a refreshing moderate breeze the temperature is expected to be around 18 and 19 degrees.

You may need a spare raincoat and socks as the rain is expected to continue its presence through to Saturday with a 50-80% chance of rain throughout the day, with expected thundery showers later on.

Despite the weather the festival is still guaranteed to be a great family weekend out.

Heavy rain in 2017 didn;'t dampen spirits (despite the grass turning to mud almost everywhere!)

Bucks Free Press:

How do I get there?

PennFest will take place at The Big Park, Horsemoor Lane, Off Penn Street, Buckinghamshire HP7 0PL

From the M40

Leave the M40 at junction (signposted Beaconsfield) then at the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A355. Follow signs for the A355 (Amersham). At the roundabout, bear left and join the A404. Turn left into Penn Street and follow signs for PennFest.

Festival entrance is on your right hand side on Horsemoor Lane.

Bucks Free Press:

From High Wycombe
Join the A404 towards Hazlemere. At Hazlemere crossroads, continue along the A404. Follow signs for PennFest, turning right into Penn Street. Follow directions as above.

Please use the drop off/pick up location at the main festival entrance, Horsemoor Lane (Winchmore Hill cricket club side).

Parking is free for all festival attendees and the parking area is right next to the main festival entrance.

**Note from organisers - please be considerate to local residents and do not park in the village – there is ample free parking for all on site.

Please respect neighbours and refrain from using the Squirrel or Hit and Miss pubs in the village as taxi points.

What about camping?

Camping will be available until Sunday, with free hot showers, glamping and pre-pitched tents.

There are allocated parking areas for those camping in tents. Campervans are welcome but they will be located away from the tents, in a separate area of the campsite for safety reasons.

For everyone’s safety, the site will not allow cars to unload or stop in pathways, or to be parked next to tents.

All vehicles must park in the designated car park and campers will carry their belongings to their tent pitch.

Cars pulling trailer tents will be allowed to park alongside them in the campervan field.

Bucks Free Press:

Can I still get tickets?

Tickets are sold in Tiers which relate to pricing only and not to any particular parts of the festival site.  Each Tier has a maximum allocation of tickets and once sold the next Tier will kick in.

Currently on sale are Tier 3 tickets from £49 which have limited availability and once they are sold out completely the ticket sale will progress to Tier 4 starting at £56 and Tier 5 from £65. Which can be purchased from the PennFest website at: https://pennfest.net/tickets/

What's it all about?

The event grew from humble beginnings as a village festival attracting around 2,000 people from the local area – into a hugely respected fixture now pulling in a crowd of 10,000 per day.

The festival has sold-out every year since 2015 – attracted by the big names. This year’s impressive headliners follow on from Kaiser Chiefs and Manic Street Preachers last year.

Bucks Free Press:

What do the organisers say?

“PennFest is a multi-genre, multiple stage, two-day music festival for all ages,” says organiser Steve Haywood.

“It started life as a small, local boutique festival but now has over 20,000 people pass through the gates every July. There’s a great mix of professional and local bands as well as DJs and old skool warehouse favourites. As well as established world-class artists we also feature up and coming acts.

“There are over 60 acts performing this year, with Craig David and Suede headlining, plus Peter Doherty, Miles Kane, Jax Jones and loads more.  Happy Mondays make a welcome return on Saturday evening. We had over 300 bands and singers apply for a slots on our Introducing Stage.

“We feel that every year we go one better and we have definitely achieved this in 2019. Of course, we make it harder for ourselves each year (in a good way of course!) and are already planning hard on the line-up for 2020.”

Bucks Free Press:

What else is happening?

And apart from the bands? “There’s simply loads of food & drink available at the event, stalls selling all kinds of things and of course a large funfair.

"For our younger guests, we have the Kids’ Kingdom with plenty of free activities to keep the little ones busy.”