Now in its eighth year, Here Comes The Sun is a one-day festival of arts, music and fun for all the family, set in the centre’s rustically charming Grade II listed building on Silver Street. The festival will run on three stages, including a laid-back lounge area and cosy back garden ‘Tree Stage’ (rarely open to the public).
The tall, imposing former temperance house is the perfect setting for an event that has the ambience of a festival with the homely feel of a very large house party.
Here Comes The Sun has always boasted a strong line-up of music from Reading and beyond, and this year’s first announcement carries on this great tradition. Singer-songwriter Ed Lofstedt makes a welcome return to the festival, this time bringing his band for the very first time in Reading.
Also returning are local reggae showstoppers Miranda and the Kool Notes, blues rockers Jimmy the Dog and our very own ukulele legend Lawrence Piddock.
Making their Here Comes the Sun debuts are folk sensations The Seasons In Shorthand, melodic alt-rockers Ocean Ruins and the indefinable indie of Kill Committee. And it’s not just music – we’ll also have a performance from the surreal mime duo Starkey and the Moon Doctor, plus the return of our outdoor cinema in the evening.
And there’s so much more to be announced, so keep checking our website and social media channels over the coming months. There’ll also be plenty of activities for children and adults, plenty of food and drink, and plenty of fun all round!
The Rising Sun Arts Centre has been at the heart of community arts in Reading for over 25 years. It is almost entirely staffed by volunteers and in 2016 was recognised with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK. Here Comes The Sun is a perfect way to celebrate creativity, participation and knowledge – the very ideals that The Rising Sun Arts Centre and its volunteers hold dear, and all proceeds from the event will be re-invested into the running of the centre.
Entry is £7, with free entry for children 14 and younger.