Daniel Bjelis outlines a new Durham festival

The Racecourse
Sunday 8 June
1:00PM – £25.00/£30.00

FOR YEARS, DURHAM students have dealt with their exams with little in the way of motivation to drive them throughout the period.

While most universities are situated in reasonably large towns and cities able to afford students ample fun to look forward to after their month of misery, Durham University is located in, well, Durham – hardly renowned for its gamut of entertainment options.

On Sunday 8 June though, the FuturePerfect Music and Arts Festival is coming to Durham. In what’s already being called the “one-day one-site Edinburgh Festival”, the University’s Racecourse has been bitten by the summer festival buzz, playing host to this spectacular new event.

There will be ten hours of dance bliss from a medley of national and international DJ talent, with several headline acts already booked, including Bloc Party and Pendulum DJ sets. When asked about the event Matt from Bloc Party said, ‘Durham’s such a beautiful place. The old castle and cathedral will be a superb backdrop to a music festival’.

Also already confirmed to perform are Mr Scruff, Zero 7 (DJ set), Layo and Bushwacka, and Radio 1’s Gilles Peterson who added, “I’m really looking forward to DJ’ing at FuturePerfect in June. The acts involved are world class and the setting is spectacular. I think the day is going to be a great mix of entertainment and a brilliant al fresco club atmosphere”.

And there’s more than just the music! Aside from the exciting line-up there will be the carnivalesque Dreamstate Circus Street Performers, the tale-spinning A Bit Crack Storytellers, jugglers, stand-up comedy, dance workshops, book readings, jazz, plenty of international cuisine and a funfair with everything from dodgems to the stomach turning ‘Miami’. Our very own chancellor, the internationally renowned Bill Bryson, will also be appearing.

The entire event will be held in aid of local charities, Student Community Action and Butterwick Hospice, and international charities Oxfam and Sport in Action Zambia. Bringing together over 100 live acts to raise £10,000 and 1,000 hours of volunteering for the charities, FuturePerfect is entirely not-for-profit and the aim is to make this an annual event.

1,000 early bird tickets are available for £25; all other tickets cost £30 and are on sale now.