Over 1,400 people made their way to Butserfest 2013 on Saturday (14 September) at Queen Elizabeth Country Park for an unforgettable day of rock, metal and much more. 

Photo: Marianne Harris

The seventh year of the all-ages alcohol/drug-free festival, organised by East Hampshire District Council, saw We Are The Ocean headline with enthusiastic support from the young crowd. The We Are The Ocean set was upbeat with many sing-along moments, most notably when Liam Cromby took to the stage for solo acoustic track 'Chin Up, Son'. 

Closing the Glory Or Death Stage, Bleed From Within showed why they were awarded the honour of Metal Hammer Golden Gods Best New Band with an aggressive, uncompromising set in spite of travelling all the way from Scandinavia to appear at Butserfest. 

Festival favourites Mallory Knox made their return to the main stage following an intimate acoustic performance to around 40 competition winners in the backstage area. 

Other musical highlights included a packed Glory or Death tent for Hacktivist and the crowd jumping to Subsource on the Main Stage. 

Fans got to meet the bands at the Big Deal Clothing signing tent, which generated some of the biggest queues on the day. A range of signed materials like drum sticks, posters and t-shirts were also won in a raffle for the EHDC Chairman's chosen charities which raised £262.50 for Cerebral Palsy and Parkinson's Disease research. 

Other activities, including zorbing, bungee runs, human demolition and a climbing wall all added to the fun and filled time between bands. 

Butserfest partnered with Southampton Solent University for a second year and students were given an opportunity to get involved in real-time festival experience. They provided crew for the Glory or Death stage and filmed, presented and produced a live-streamed show with coverage from the two main stages and backstage acoustic area. A highlight film will be available online soon. 

Councillor Ferris Cowper, Leader of East Hampshire District Council and Butserfest founder said: 

'This year's festival has been another great success and we've had lots of positive comments from people who came along. A lot of work goes into making a festival like this run smoothly and provide a great day for ticket holders. The safe, friendly atmosphere is down to the attitude of the councillors, staff, security and volunteers who work on the day and I’d like to say a big thank you to them for all of their help.' 

'Our growing relationship with Southampton Solent University continues to prove very positive for the festival. It’s great to be able to provide valuable experience for the students which also has obvious benefits to the festival. The live-stream of the festival is a big step forward and I’m sure we can find many other ways to work in partnership to make the festival grow and succeed.' 

Tickets for Butserfest 2014 are already on sale for the early-bird price of £15 (plus £1.48 online booking fee)here.