Posted By: Editor
March 14, 2024
After the monster success of Test Fest 2023, its back bigger and better than ever before.
With its quirky branding, local talent and family feel it is the festival to be at this summer. So what is all the fuss about? Test Fest is the only testicular cancer awareness festival in the UK, and prides itself on supporting local bands, artists, colleges and businesses.
Born in 2017, It’s in the Bag came up with the idea of a music festival that promotes men’s health and raise awareness of testicular cancer, with the aim to save lives! The rationale was to focus on a more arts and music population as most men’s health awareness seem to focus on sport, but also stats tell us the that the largest audience at music festivals is young men and testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men. After the very wet and disappointing Test Fest in 2022, the charity were determined to come back even stronger and they did. 2023 was the best ever with record numbers, great project work from local colleges and fully sponsored.
It’s in the Bag (IITB) are the only charity for Testicular Cancer services in the South-West of England. Our mission is to promote life-saving awareness of Testicular Cancer (Germ Cell Cancer), provide support during diagnosis and treatment and to celebrate survival. Our unique value: Underpinning IITB’s mission and strategy is a deep and dynamic partnership with specialist clinicians and medical teams, which we value and celebrate this relationship.
The Festival has recently been recognised in the UK Festival Awards and been shortlisted for Brand Activation, alongside big companies like Brewdog, Lidl and Amazon Fashion and now finalists in the Somerset Business Awards Charity of the Year.
Why not come along and watch bands, eat, drink, catch up with friends and have a good time. The team in the background talk about the importance of self-checking, sell merchandise with our messages on them and talk to attendees about what the charity does and how it helps. By the end of the day, there are many wearing our T-Shirts and bright orange pants on the outside.
Test Fest also has another purpose. Many survivors and their families attend and catch up with those who have had treatment, just diagnosed and still receiving treatment. This is like a mini Testicular Cancer family and seeing those great conversations tell us that we are doing the right thing.
Most of the bands donate their performance to the charity or play at a very reduced rate. In fact, this year we are inundated with artists who would like to play. We are also supported by our patrons: Downsy – MC/Compare; Nutty Noah – Family Entertainer and artist Dixon Does Doodles. Testicular Cancer is the most common cancer in young men, so to get young people involved in the festival we have bands play from Richard Huish College music department and repeating the art project with Taunton and Bridgwater College.
Headliners are The Leylines, supported by much loved local bands Filta, Danny McMahon, Becky Laurence, Big Brass Ska Band, The Priddice Brothers Band, Twisted Vinyl, and many more. The Drumbus returns and there are lots of children’s activities.
Why not take a look at Test Fest and see what all the fuss is about!
Saturday 15th June 2024 at Taunton Rugby Club – Gates open at 11am.
Tickets: £25 adult; Youth 13-18 £15 Children up to 13 FREE
All in aid of It’s in the Bag
