Excitement is building for Marlow’s very own festival this weekend, with 80’s psychedelic rock legends Dr and the Medics aiming to wow crowds during their headline set.

An eclectic range of acts are set to perform at the popular festival based in Marlow Bottom Playing Fields on Saturday, and event organisers are confident that they can beat last year’s sell out success.

They are in no doubt that the alternative headliners, most famous for their cover of ‘Spirit in the Sky’, will draw in the crowds and adhere to all ages with their unique visual performance.

Event organiser Richard Moss said: “Their show is brilliant, and they will have everybody up dancing. It’s definitely the kind of show to suit a family audience.”

New quirks have been introduced to bring a fresh look to the festival with a local schools battle of the bands competition kicking off the day - the winner of which will be awarded a slot to perform on stage at next year’s event.

Mr Moss said: “The festival is quite slow starting as people arrive so we firstly wanted to encourage young people to come along and also give a really good start to the festival.

“It would be good to start with a bang and give young people the chance to perform live at a festival”

Schools that have so far signed up to the battle are Reading Blue Coats, Desborough School and Claire’s Court.

Various activities will make a return, including a circus skills workshop, and a Punch and Judy show will make its grand debut to the family friendly event on September 5 from 12pm.

Marlow Rock Bottom was created in 2013 with the vision to raise money for the Marlow Bottom Playing Fields and provide a platform for new unsigned acts to share their music.

Over the past two years the event has gone from strength to strength, and the main stage was introduced in 2014 playing host to 80’s Ska legends The Beat.

Mr Moss said: “When we first tried it out we had no idea what it would be like. It was a bit of a risk. We’ve gone from 800 people in the first year and we’re aiming for 1500 this year.”

“There will be something for everyone, so come along and dance.”

Although it will be the Medic’s first time at Rock Bottom, they are certainly no stranger to festivals. Singer Clive Jackson praised their importance, not just for the music they promote but for the community as a whole.

He said: “You get such an overwhelming feeling of togetherness – it permeates happiness in people’s lives and in this day and age it makes you do something that is good and happy.”

“Festivals are a very important part of British culture. It’s so much more than just the music you celebrate being together and the happiness they bring which is needed in this day and age. I’ll say to anyone, don’t just come to Rock Bottom to see Dr and the Medics come to embrace the day.”

Marlow Rock Bottom is taking place at the Marlow Playing Fields on September 5 from 12 pm. You can buy tickets from http://marlowrockbottom.weebly.com/