Music and marron mix at inaugural festival

The inaugural Music and Marron Festival begins today at Lot 80, combining local talent and produce on the fringe of Gourmet Escape.

The festival features about 15 musical acts over the course of three days which vary in style, from jazz and blues to rock‘n’roll.

Featured band Kiki and Co lead singer Ciara Craig told the Times her band’s style drew from a variety of influences, with a focus on “musical inclusivity”.

“That’s why we’re called Kiki and Co, because the band can change and include all kinds of different musicians,” she said.

“For marron fest for instance we’ll have a reggae freestyler jamming with us that will be fantastic.”

Craig said all the musicians at the event knew one another, which created a “community vibe”.

“I’m just really happy Lot 80 have hired all really amazing local artists to do this gig,” she said.

“Other venues source music from everywhere and it’s supposed to make it more ‘exclusive’, but this event gives everyone a chance to play.”

More than 1000 marron were specially purchased for the festival and will be cooked three different ways by mobile chefs, according to Lot 80 manager Steve Chapman.

“The South West is known for its marron, as well as its great local music scene,” he said. “We just thought, ‘well no one has done this before’, and put it all together.”

Mr Chapman said he knew of residents who were looking for something different outside of the usual events over the Gourmet Escape weekend.

“Everyone has been asking for an event like this, something that’s cheap, child and dog-friendly and has a local focus,” he said.

“We also organised the event over a three day period to give locals the greatest chance of being able to attend one of those days.”

The festival runs from 10am to 11.30pm tonight and tomorrow, and until 10pm on Sunday.