Focus on Festivals: Chazzstock 2012

The very first Chazzstock festival takes place on June 10 in Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall and Wulfrun Hall. The one-day event is unique as it’s not only a celebration of music, but also a celebration of the life of Charles Haddon, former frontman of indie outfit Ou Est Le Swimming Pool. Haddon tragically committed suicide at the Pukkelpop Festival in Sweden in 2010.

The festival has been organised by his former bandmates and friends as a tribute, as one of Charles’ dreams was to put on his own festival. The organisers are not only realising Haddon’s dream for him, but are also ensuring all proceeds from the day go to charity. Profits will be split equally between the Prince’s Trust and local Wolverhampton charities.

Around 3000 people are expected to don Wolverhampton to join in this tribute, there to watch the likes of The Vaccines, The Horrors, Frankie and the Heartstrings and Tribes perform. As well as these indie-pop delights, organisers have also put together a line-up of up-and-coming artists deserving of a break, including Escapists, Safari and Jen Armstrong.

Chazzstock hopes to become an annual fixture, but in the tough economic climate, it’s difficult to secure the necessary funds and resources to pull off a cracking festival. It would be a shame to see something done for such a good cause struggle, so if you like your festivals cheap, guilt-free and entertaining, you should definitely pop down to Chazzstock on June 10.

Tickets are just £25 and can be purchased from www.chazzstock.org