You may remember last month Castledown Radio gave away tickets to Glastonbudget 2008; Europe's biggest tribute and new act festival, which took place over the 23rd - 25th May in Wymsewold in Leicestershire. Helen Taylor went along the festival to see what it was all about.

Glastonbudget Stage

As the name suggests Glastonbudget is a "festival on a budget" with the very best tribute acts from across Europe performing on the main stage. Some are even better than the real thing - you'd almost forget it was a tribute festival.

Glastonbudget is all about keeping the music alive. With over a hundred new acts performing across the weekend not only from the UK but around the world joining the line up of Tribute bands there was a lot going on across the weekend.

Thousands of music fans braved the British weather for the weekend and created a friendly and lively atmosphere even though the rain macs, wellies and umbrellas all made an appearance.

Maybe Winehouse

Helen Taylor meets Maybe Winehouse

The first tribute act performing on the Friday night was Maybe Winehouse. Rachel took to the stage as Amy Winehouse with a full band of Jazz musicians and belted out Amy's biggest hits from her Back to Black album as well as a fantastic cover of Beat It by Michael Jackson as done by Amy Winehouse on the Charlotte Church Show.

Helen Taylor caught up with Maybe Winehouse in the VIP area after she came off stage.

Helen talks to Maybe Winehouse: (6 MB)

The Fillers

The Fillers on stage

Next up on the main stage was The Fillers an awesome tribute to Las Vegas Quartet the Killers. The audience response to the carbon copy group was electric- and the Fillers soon became one of the favourites of the weekend.

Helen Taylor with The Fillers

Helen Taylor spoke to them fresh from the stage in the VIP Bar.

Helen talks to The Fillers: (4 MB)

Extinction

New Band Extinction

On the blustery Saturday morning Extinction were one of the first bands to play in the new acts marquee - they are a school band who were given the opportunity to play at Glastonbudget as part of a project with the Soar Valley Music Centre and Aim Higher.

Helen Taylor had a quick chat with them after their performance outside the new acts marquee.

Helen talks to Extinction: (3 MB)

Kid Vicious

Punk Band Kid Vicious

Kid vicious were the youngest act to play on the main stage at Glastonbudget. Comprising of 4 boys aged between 11 and 13 years old, Kid Vicious are a Punk band from Leicester who perform covers of punk records as well are their own original material.

Helen talks to Kid Vicious: (2 MB)

Sex Pistols Experience

The Sex Pistols Experience

Following straight after Kid Vicious on the main stage were the Sex Pistols Experience who brought their hugely popular live show to Glastonbudget. The Sex Pistols Experience have perfected the look and sound of the band down to every last detail, to make sure that every live show they play is a dynamic and exciting as the real deal.

Interview with the Sex Pistols Experience: (4 MB)

Oasish

Helen Taylor meets Oasish

Oasish have the look and the sound to make every show as authentic as possible. With Oasis fans proclaiming that they are better than the real thing. Everything detail, even down to the make of guitar Noel plays, has been considered making many think that they are watching the real thing.

The band behind Oasish performed as not one but 2 tribute acts at this years Glastonbudget after being asked by the organisers to perform as Feeder act especially for the festival.

Helen talks to Oasish Part 1: (5 MB)

Helen talks to Oasish Part 2: (3 MB)

Guns 2 Roses

Guns 2 Roses

Guns 2 Roses have headlined Glastonbudget in past years but performed as second headliner on the main stage Saturday evening. Guns 2 Roses are the only guns n' roses tribute to be approved by an original member of the band and have even had original drummer Steven Adler join them on stage.

Guns 2 Roses are totally focused on cloning not only the sound of GNR but the image and the stage performance down to the last detail.

 Helen talks to Guns 2 Roses Part 1: (3 MB)

Helen talks to Guns 2 Roses Part 2: (4 MB)

Bon Jovi Experience

The Bon Jovi Experience On Stage

The Bon Jovi Experience headlined Glastonbudget on Saturday night. The band has a significant fan base and it's fair to say probably gained a few more at Glastonbudget.

Helen Taylor with The Bon Jovi Experience

Front man Tony is the mirror image of Jon Bon Jovi and has found himself being mobbed by fans and photographers. As well as making many TV and Film appearances, the Bon Jovi Experience has been joined on stage by Jon himself.

Helen talks to The Bon Jovi Experience Part 1: (2 MB)

Helen talks to The Bon Jovi Experience Part 2: (6 MB)

Chris Dunn

Helen Taylor with Co organiser Chris Dunn

The whole weekend was tirelessly put together expertly and skilfully by a team of people working hard to make sure that everyone was having fun. I managed to grab a few moments with Co Organiser Chris Dunn on the Saturday morning after the high winds had led to the new act stage being off limits.

Co organiser Chris Dunn spoke to Helen Taylor about the festival.

Helen talks to Co Organiser Chris Dunn Part 1: (3 MB)

Helen talks to Co Organiser Chris Dunn Part 2: (4 MB) 

The Audience

Revellers enjoying Glastonbudget

Helen Taylor went out into the crowd on Saturday afternoon to see if everyone was enjoying the weekend as much as she was and came across some interesting characters.

Helen talks to some of the crowd at Glastonbudget Part 1: (1 MB)

Helen talks to some of the crowd at Glastonbudget Part 2: (955 KB)

Georgie And Nathan

Two of the hard working Volunteers with Helen Taylor

After speaking to the Chris Dunn about the festivals involvement with the Soar Valley Music Helen wanted to speak to some students from the centre to find out more about how the project affects theme. Helen spoke to Georgie and Nathan who were both doing very important jobs at the festival.

Helen talks to Nathan and Georgie volunteers at Glastonbudget: (4 MB)

The Glastonbudget Stage

Glastonbudget 2008 set out to be a weekend to rival other music festivals whilst keeping costs to the audience down and creating a fun, friendly atmosphere and I have to say they succeeded on all counts. Despite the adverse weather conditions over the weekend the festival was a huge success enjoyed by the bands and audience a like.

The audience enjoying The Fillers

To find out more about Glastonbudget visit www.glastonbudget.co.uk