The last ever CarFest to be held at Laverstoke Farm in Hampshire – it’s home since TV and radio presenter Chris Evans began the UK’s biggest children’s charity family fundraising festival in 2012 – before a move to Silverstone race circuit in Northamptonshire, had a fantastic opening day on Friday.
Perfect weather and up to 35,000 people per day flocking to the 2,500 acre farm owned by ex-racing driver and 1979 Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter, located about an hour and 30 minutes from London, 45 minutes from Southampton, and an hour from Reading.
The headliners for the three day 2025 festival are Travis, Rita Ora and Madness, with a strong supporting main stage lineup including Busted, Sam Ryder, Squeeze, Tom Walker, Kim Wilde, Lightning Seeds, Seasick Steve, Reef, and The Boomtown Rats. There is also a secret surprise appearance from Manchester legends Oasis. [Just kidding! It’s tribute band Noasis actually on Sunday!]
Carfest, presented by BP Pulse is far more than just the live music on several stages, this is a very family friendly eclectic arts festival with authors [such as David Walliams, Queen Camilla’s son Tom Parker-Bowles, and Dom Joly] and chefs [such as Rosemary Shrager and hairy Biker Si King] and comedians [such as Lee Mack, Strictly winner Chris McCausland, and Rob Brydon], actors [such as Ben Miller] and athletes [such as Sir Chris Hoy, Sally Gunnell and Denise Lewis], and many, many celebrity appearances across the event.
Not forgetting the HUGE appeal for petrolheads with cars galore on and off the track, from vintage to rare and lots of valuable supercars, and many famous faces from the motoring world. Richard “Hamster” Hammond from Top Gear and The Grand Tour for one.
CarFest’s children’s charity partners include BBC Children in Need, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Rainbow Trust, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Teenage Cancer Trust and Young Epilepsy, continuing its charity mission to help vulnerable children, and it has which raised in excess of £27,000,000 so far.
On day one, US blues star Seasick Steve rocked out in style with his home-made guitars and just his drummer for company, before Somerset’s Reef showed they still have gas in the tank with a superb set.
Then it was time for The Boomtown Rats fronted by the legend that is Bob, or Sir Bob Geldof. The 74-year-old and his mates kicks off a big UK tour in October to celebrate their 50th anniversary.
Following Tom Walker’s classy set, Friday night headliners Travis, the Glaswegian band who penned and recorded the timeless track “Why Does It Always Rain on Me”, pulled a vast crowd and prompted a massive singalong. A mix of newer material and their big ones, including the hits “Sing”, and “Flowers in the Window”
Travis Singer Fran Healy jumped down into the “pit” and over the barrier to wander through the delighted crowd, before returning to the stage with some help from security.
- Check out our coverage of Saturday and Sunday…With headliners Rita Ora on day two and Madness on the final day.
Tom Walker told the crowd it has been “a mad summer – I’ve not worn wellies once playing at 12 festivals!” Schhhh Tom, don’t jinx it.
Chris Evans talking to Sir Bob Geldof, joined by Lee Mack and Rob Brydon, on the hay bales in front of the main stage. Bob talking about The Boomtown Rats touring with Guns N Roses and he says, The Boomtown Rats were the better band.
He also spoke about Live Aid, and all the terrible things happening around the world today, including “Ukraine being attacked by a thug” and the situation in Gaza.
There were laughs too from Lee and Rob….
Dom Jolly entertained a full marquee talking about his global travels, his books, and his cult television show, “Trigger Happy TV”, which many will recall featured Dom on a giant mobile phone.
BBC TV talent show Fame Academy in 2002 featured contestant Sinead Quinn who stood out as a real find. The Northern Irish singer had a hit album and single in the UK charts after her TV appearances, and went on to marry a member of top band The Feeling and they have three children together.
Now 45, Sinead was entertaining the crowds between main stage acts, singing covers to tracks and leading the crowd in mass singalongs. Lovely to hear her superb voice.
On a more serious note, Chris introduced the parents of the three-year-old child who sadly passed away on the camp site at CarFest last year, after a battle with many serious health issues. It was an emotional tribute with a touching gallery of photographs shown.
The child’s father urged everyone to download the “What3words” app, explaining that was the the only way the emergency services could pinpoint the family in the campsite in their sad emergency.
- CarFest 2025 at Silverstone is scheduled for the August Bank Holiday weekend of 28th – 30th August…
Photos by Liam Battersby
Words by Rowena Edos and Liam Battersby
