Hanwell Hootie - Insiders' Guide

W7 is the only place to be on Saturday 12th May

( all photos credit: Paul James)

There's so much to choose from this year - here's how to make the most of London's biggest one day free music festival on Saturday May 12th.

The Viaduct Meadow
A huge success in 2016, the Viaduct Meadow is the place to sprawl on the grass and simply soak up the festival atmosphere. Now with an expanded capacity of 5,000, its bars and food vans open from 3pm.

The Minute of Loud:  4pm, Viaduct Meadow
Instead of a minute's silence, the Hootie traditionally starts with a minute's loud in memory of Jim Marshall, creator of the legendary Marshall Amp, whose connection to Hanwell inspired the festival.

The Bearcat Comedy Club, from 7.45pm, Igloo Stage, Viaduct Meadow
A new addition this year from west London's longest running comedy club, each of the five acts incorporates music. May not be suitable for small ears!

The Free Shuttle Bus, 3.45pm to 10.30pm
Actually there are three buses on different routes, connecting the venues to Ealing, Brentford and Northfields. You'll find a map on the Hootie website www.hanwellhootie.co.uk. Note - as they're old-style Routemasters, they're not wheelchair accessible.

Fabulous Feasting: Viaduct Meadow, St Marks School, Sandy Park
Curry, ice cream, crepes, pizza, jerk chicken, burritos hotdogs... there's plenty on offer for the hungry festival-goer. Many of the pub venues will also be offering hot food. Plus Hanwell's cafes and restaurants will be open, of course.

The Hootie Charities
You'll sport volunteers from the festival's two official charities canvassing for donations: Alice's Youth Music Memorial Fund, set up in memory of Alice Gross, and music charity Nordoff Robbins. Both charities fund music-making and music therapy as a way of helping people who face challenges like disability, poverty and mental health issues.

And not forgetting what everyone comes for...the music! It is all a matter of taste, of course, which is why the Hootie has variety in abundance. Here's a small selection of the 90-odd bands on offer.

Rews, 4.15pm, Viaduct Meadow
Having just finished a UK wide tour, duo Shona and Collette kick off the Hootie with high-energy alt rock.

Hannah Scott, 4.30pm, The Green W7
Contemporary folk with though-provoking lyrics and strong melodies.

Berries, 5.45pm, The Grosvenor
Expect an original take on riff-driven rock from this energetic trio.

Press to MECO, 5.45pm, The Kings Arms
With a new album just out, this London based trio love three part harmonies and huge riffs.

Metro Verlaine, 7pm, Village Inn
Dark romantic French punk-rockers somewhere between The Cure and Eric Cantona...

False Advertising, 8.15pm, The Forester
Garage punks with a unique brand of energetic grunge.

Morrissey & Marshall, 9.30pm, St Mellitus Church
Appealing pop-rock with a classical influence and beautiful harmonies.

Hot Border Special, 9.30pm, Sandy Park
Get dancing as this rootsy audio mystery tour travels from funk through afro-beat to rock and samba.

BlackWaters, 10.45pm, The Prince of Wales
The punk rockers come to the Hootie fresh from working with Carl Barat of The Libertines.

8th May 2018