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FeaturesYou are in: Essex > Entertainment > Music > Features > Festival to be 'really free'  John Otway guarentee's a lively show Festival to be 'really free'Cult punk-pop performer, John Otway, will headline the Kelvedon Free Festival on Saturday, 14, July. We caught up with him to find out what we can expect from his show. The ninth Kelvedon Free Festival takes place on Saturday, 14, July, with its usual strong line-up of up and coming local bands and established favourites taking to the stage from midday.
This year's event is headlined by iconic performer and self-confessed unsuccessful singer/songwriter, John Otway. Otway first came to prominence in the late 1970s with his song 'Really Free' and more recently made the charts again with 'Bunsen Burner' - released to celebrate his 50th birthday. We caught up with John to find out more about what we can expect from his show. Describe your style of musicThat's a bit of at tough question. I always thought I was a punk-rock-cult-artiste, as I had a hit in 1977 with "Really Free". "Beware of the Flowers" and "Give it Headbutts" were popular at around the same time and fitted into that genre. However, when my fans voted for what my 50th birthday hit should be in 2002, they chose "Bunsen Burner" - based on a disco hit.  Local boys done good Koopa will wow the crowds What should the crowd expect to experience from your show?The show has always been a bit of a strange mix of music and humour. At Glastonbury, for instance, they put me on the same stage as the comedians - so hopefully the crowd should experience a few smiles with their music. Have you ever hurt yourself on stage?Every night - it's part of the job. However, it's never enough to warrant a trip to A & E! What would be your ideal gig?A great free festival in a great town in the middle of July. Have I defined the Kelvedon Festival? You've played at Glastonbury before, how will Kelvedon compare?I will be very very surprised if I see as much mud in Kelvedon. I'm so sure of this that I'm not even going to bring my wellies!!! Aside from money, do you think that free festivals differ from bigger festivals?Yes, there is a more easy going mood in the audience. I find you have to work a bit harder to keep them, which is no bad thing. What's it like being a cult figure?Am I? It would be great if I was.  Bitter-sweet melodies come from Aloneme Do you have any more promotional 'stunts' lined up for the future?I'm doing an Acrostic tour later in the year. An acrostic is when the first letter of each line spells something. My Tour goes: And we're taking a coach load of fans around the country with us. Give us one reason why we should go to the Kelvedon Free Music FestivalA few years ago this would have been very easy. Now it's almost impossible, due to me having secured a second hit in 2002. Sorry, there are two very good reasons. Also on the festival bill are Alone Me, Koopa, Expose, Mojo Kings and this year's Battle of the Bands winners, State of the Enemy.The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites last updated: 03/07/07 Have Your SayAre you going to the Kelvedon Free Festival? Who are you looking forward to seeing?
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