Britpop icons Supergrass will headline Frome Festival as a fundraising event for grassroots community action group ‘People for Packsaddle’ who are fighting to save a much-loved local green space from development…….
The Cheese and Grain made a last-minute announcement of the concert slated for Friday 11th July as part of the Festival, crashing their site with fans eager to find out more.
Toby Culff, spokesperson for ‘People for Packsaddle’ explained, “The proceeds from this event are being donated to our local community action group, People for Packsaddle, to support us in our ongoing battle to protect the area known as Packsaddle Community Fields, in Frome, from development. Despite hundreds of objections and the planning application being refused by Somerset Council, the developers are taking it to an Appeal. For us to fight the Appeal and be represented by a full legal team comes with a significant financial cost.”
Culff continued, “The fields are a designated Asset of Community Value and a crucial, irreplaceable resource for local people and wildlife, and for Frome as a whole. By coming along to this gig, people will be supporting positive community action whilst also helping to protect the environment.”
The drummer of Supergrass, Danny Goffey, who lives in Frome, is a big supporter of this initiative and this offers the perfect opportunity to give something back to the community.
The indie rock legends are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their seminal chart-topping debut album ‘I Should Coco’ by playing it in full and then drawing from their endless greatest hits, proving they’re still at the top of their game. Bursting onto the scene in the mid-90s and channelling their iconic energy, Supergrass shot to fame with anthems like Alright, Caught by the Fuzz and Mansize Rooster. Three decades on, their live shows are as cool as ever, and fans can expect an unforgettable night from a band who helped define an era.
Support comes from Lumley, who describe themselves as “lurking in the Indie pop bargain bin, Frome’s finest exponents of stealing all of your favourite hits and misses from the ‘90s”. Lead singer Micheal ‘Fordy’ Ford, who is also a concert promoter, stated, “First of all this show is for Frome and the ridiculous proposal to build at Packsaddle. We stand with our brothers and sisters of People for Packsaddle. Secondly, it’s just awesome! Supergrass at Bath Moles in 1994 changed everything for me and I finally found MY band!”
In true Frome community spirit, the Town Crier, Martin Scott, will be acting as Master of Ceremonies at this one-night-only benefit. Attendees can expect some of his trademark humorous rhyming couplets. Scott shared on social media, “We are young, we run green…and we’re running full speed towards a night of righteous revelry! Supported by the fabulous Lumley, it promises to be alright, alright, alright! So gather ye, good people of Frome – for common land, common good, and uncommon talent! Let the bell ring, the chords chime, and the wild ones ride again!”
People for Packsaddle’s Toby Culff expressed, “We are enormously grateful to Supergrass, the Cheese and Grain, local band Lumley and Frome Festival for their support in ensuring this crucial fundraiser can go ahead, as well as to everyone who comes along and enjoys the gig and helps us achieve our goal of saving the fields from development. We won’t stand by and let developers ride roughshod over democratic, locally made decisions – this fundraising event is going to really help us achieve this aim!”
Frome Festival Director, Adam Laughton, explained, “Supergrass headlining Frome Festival is further evidence of the cultural significance of this amazing town, continually punching well above its weight. Enormous thanks to the individuals who have made this happen, as well as Cheese & Grain and People for Packsaddle,” adding, “This event is the cherry on top of a sensational 10 days of activity kicking off on Friday 4th July. Over 280 events in over 50 venues – there’s truly something for everyone.”
FROME FESTIVAL is taking place from 4th to 13th July 2025 with its most ambitious and wide-ranging programme to date. This much-loved annual celebration of arts, culture, and community continues to grow in scope and imagination, bringing together world-class performers, local talent, and a wealth of unique experiences across the town.
Additional musical highlights this year include performances from the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, acclaimed songwriter and producer Guy Chambers (most well-known for his work with Robbie Williams), Brodsky Quartet, the Miki Berenyi Trio (formerly of Lush), Tom Moth (harpist with Florence + The Machine), Gary Stringer (Reef), Rokia Koné (from Les Amazones d’Afrique), and the dynamic Hackney Colliery Band.
The comedy line-up features some of the UK’s most distinctive voices, with headline sets from Lou Sanders, Andy Zaltzman, and the return of firm favourites Jarred Christmas’ Pop-Up Comedy. Lou Sanders, Andy Zaltzman, and the return of firm favourites Jarred Christmas’ Pop-Up Comedy.
This year’s Bob Morris Lecture will be presented by historian, author and broadcaster Professor Kate Williams, offering fresh insight into a thousand years of Britain’s palaces, monarchs – and all the royal secrets.
The family-friendly programme includes free events for children, funded by Frome Town Council. Festival-goers can also enjoy the return of cherished community events such as the Hidden Gardens, the Frome Open Art Trail, and the Food Feast, featuring live music from up-and-coming indie rock band Nothing Rhymes With Orange, bluegrass with percussive step dance from Buffalo Gals, and soul collective Kaleida Wild. Entrance to the Food Feast on Saturday 5th July is free.
The theme for 2025, Frome’s historic textile industry, is woven through the festival’s branding, artwork, and a variety of textile-inspired events that pay tribute to the town’s rich industrial heritage. These range from the traditional, for example weaving and woad dyeing workshops, to the contemporary, such as a themed AR (Augmented Reality) history quest and a silent disco comedy walk. The yarn bombing competition ‘Make Frome Knit Again!’ seeks to decorate the public spaces of Frome for the duration of the Festival.
A free printed festival brochure is available from the Cheese & Grain and other local outlets. The full programme and ticket information can also be found online at www.fromefestival.co.uk
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