Create Music Village returns to Ashford Town Centre this October

Create Music Village (CMV) is returning to Ashford Town Centre this October with a month-long celebration of music and sound. The diverse programme features everything from bands to DJs, sing along movies to workshops, and is all driven by four core grass-roots music venues, providing something for all tastes and ages

Revelation and Coachworks return as core venues and are joined this year by Ashford Picturehouse and Low Key Tap Room. There will also be a range of fringe events - many of which are FREE - hosted by venues all over the Town Centre, all bringing live music right to your doorstop.

With all venues in walking distance of each other, we hope to once again create a village atmosphere, actively encouraging audiences to move from one venue to another so everyone can join in, exploring different musical styles with friends and family.

The team has been working with Wye-based Curator, Matt Nightingale, a freelance music event producer and programmer to put this year’s eclectic offering together. Matt has programmed and produced many small scale festivals and stages around the UK, including Turning Tides Festival, Elephant Sounds, Greenwich Peninsula Summer Sessions and Winter Jazz programmes.

Headline names on this year’s line-up include Space, Omar, Deptford Northern Soul Club and Riskee and the Ridicule. There will also be a series of events showcasing local, unsigned artists as well as workshops courtesy of sound artist, Sophie Stone, and Ashford Folk.

Rounding off CMV 2023 on Saturday 28 October, it’s Hannah Moule and the Moulettes at Revelation, a fusion of folk, rock and classical as well as Gencraft’s Monster’s Ball Beer Festival - Ashford’s biannual beer festival - hosted by Low Key Tap Room and Picturehouse, and followed by the CMV After Party with DJ Casey Dale!

CMV is funded by Ashford Borough Council and is part of the Festivals and Events Framework which looks to bring four key events to the Town Centre each year. So far we’ve seen the hugely successful UNFRAMED, Ashford’s first mural festival, as well as the Ashford Food and Drink Festival – both new events for 2023. The year will be completed with the return of Ashford’s Carnival of the Baubles, which will be taking place on Saturday 25 November 2023 – so make sure to save the date!

Debra McGee, CMV Project Manager says: “After the huge success of last year’s CMV we can’t wait for you to see what’s in store for 2023! Creating a music village in the heart of Ashford has already helped to develop the Ashford music scene, and we’re excited to see residents and visitors supporting local venues once again this October.”

Cllr Heather Hayward, Portfolio Holder for Performance and Directions says: “I am delighted to see that the Council’s support has enabled Create Music Village to return for a second year, and build upon last year’s success. CMV is a great concept that enables our key Town Centre businesses and stakeholders to put on their own events, and connect with each other under the umbrella of Create. It is important that we empower our businesses and creative community to continue contributing to a more vibrant and diverse town centre. It’s a bold programme and one we think will encourage people of all ages, profiles and backgrounds to visit Ashford during October.”

To find out more and see the full line-up, visit: www.createmusicvillage.co.uk