02/06/2026
Gorsefest is a Music Festival situated in New Brighton utilising the talents of Merseyside based musicians, to raise funds for the maintenance and development of the Gorse Millennium Green (Public Park ), where it takes place.
It is an annual event in the open air, and all the performers donate their time free of charge to the Charitable Trust that have owned and managed the park since 1998.
Gorsefest itself has been going since 2018 and is a major source of income for the trust, along with subscriptions and grants from the National Lottery and the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral.
The Trustees try to make the event as family friendly and generally attractive as they can, inviting a variety of stallholders to attend, which include Coffee, many styles of hot and cold food, a wide selection of desirable collectibles and bric a brac, as well as face painting and a well stocked bar of alcoholic drinks.
In previous years there have been a number of celebrity guests including the Mayor of Wirral.
The music commences at 11.00am on Saturday 4 July and continues non-stop until 8.30pm.
The talent on display is distributed across the age range and consists of many styles and genres, but with an emphasis on creating a feel good vibe.
Steve Jones is a Folk and Blues based artist who sings, and plays harmonica, ukelele and guitar. He also runs a Facebook site informing us of any developments in or new open mic venues.
David Bourne is a Birkenhead based singer songwriter whose memorable and catchy ditties have given him a large local following.
Catch the Moon specialise in popular songs of the last 60 years, delivering beautiful harmonies, with tight guitar work.
Etcetera focus on 70s and 80s hits, bringing a pletheroa of vocal talent to the mix. They sometimes feature leader Andrew Hesford’s original songs, which are both tuneful and lyrically interesting.
Richard McCranor is a left hander, and an accomplished singer/guitarist, who successfully tackles some challenging material. A delight to hear and he promises some real crowd pleasers.
Heavy Undertones are led by Marcus O’ Rourke and feature original material and covers. They display some very impressive guitar pyrotechnics.
Generation 4 have in Alice and Declan two great singers who harmonise perfectly.
The band are tight and accurate, and do full justice to the originals that they cover.
Mark Whiteley’s Roadshow features the local band Madmen’s singer and saxophonist, together with some friends in support. Expect an eclectic set.
John Uriel and (un)Heavy Friends is a group put together by John to do full justice to some classic 60s and 70s songs. Hopefully the material will not provoke the reaction, “Holy **** they’re attempting that!”
Urban Nature, is Thuy’s band specialising in upbeat dance music, who are certain to get audience reaction and enthusiasm. Expect singalongs and embarrassing Dad dancing for sure.
Kerry O’Gold is a singer / guitarist with a phenomenal voice. This is apparent as soon as one hears her, and nobody will be anything but thrilled.
Los Potatos featuring Nabil, will be serving up more of the Latin salsa material that proved so popular last year. With his infectious enthusiasm and positive energy, Nabil can get anyone dancing.
Petra’s Band. Young Petra together with her contemporaries have put together a set of exciting and relevant material, that suits her talents.
'Heidi and Liam will run through a selection of acoustic cover versions of popular songs from the 80's-00's. Liam is an experienced guitarist and Heidi has a unique voice and a bubbly stage presence'.
Mitchell and Chantelle. Mitchell is firmly within the folk tradition, and plays to his strengths as a singer /guitarist. Chantelle has a fabulous voice and likes to play a 12 string guitar (having strong fingers). Both have their own original songs as well as playing some great covers. Look forward to some exciting duets.
Peter Loosemore Peter’s choices range from traditional to contemporary folk and iconic pop. His relaxed and confident manner masks a thorough professionalism that ensures his delivery is spot on. My own favourite is his take on Leonard Cohen.
Marcus (Aurelious) Lazurus. A superb guitarist and singer who can tackle adequately any style or genre he fancies, from the Beatles to his own impressive compositions. Equally fluent on acoustic or electric, but modest with it.
And no, I won’t be performing Pink Floyd’s Sheep.
