Ultimate Tribute Festival At Upton Country Park, Dorset Review

Reviewed by Maddie Reynolds

Sensational first night at the Ultimate Tribute festival at Upton Country park!!
With George Michael, ABBA and Queen tribute acts all each and everyone getting the crowds up and dancing on their feet.

We arrived around 4.30 and were sent to the field to park, we unloaded our picnic and chairs and took a short walk down the track to the main field where the festival was taking place. The event was well signposted with guides to help if needed, we arrived at the entrance for bag checks and security checks. Then walked down to the help desk where I was greeted by ****** (editor’s note – name removed) to collect our weekend tickets. ****** (editor’s note – name removed) who was one of the festival organisers was friendly and helpful and answered all our questions. Security guards were around and the whole place was safe and well-managed.

I attended the festival with my 15-year-old daughter last night, its not something we have done together before, I haven’t attended one for many years. We found a space just in front of the stage and set up our chairs and a picnic rug to enjoy the sunshine and the tunes the DJ was playing until the event was due to start. There is drinks tents and food tents and all are reasonably priced, you can take your own food and drink, as well as ice cream and slushy vans. There are a few rules on what’s allowed with regards to alcohol and what you’re allowed in but this is just for the safety of everyone. No glass or metal cutlery may be brought into the festival site.  Allowances per person (over 18) for bringing your own alcohol are 4x cans of beer/cider (no glass), OR 1x bottle of wine or Prosecco, (no glass) OR 1 litre of premixed spirits & mixer (no glass).  Please note – no neat spirits allowed. there are no restrictions on bottled water and soft drinks.  Any excess alcoholic drinks over these guidelines may be confiscated or admittance denied.

The DJ was talking to the crowd and kept pausing the music for us to sing along and was very interactive with us all making it fun and creating a fab atmosphere. Throughout he would give count downs to when the acts were due to start.

My daughter was up the front dancing away in the sunshine, First up was George Michael Legacy, personally I’m not a huge George Michael fan but his voice was incredible and he got us all up on our feet singing along to well known George Michael songs across the decades. Was a great opening act and he interacted with the audience throughout his performance.

Next up was ABBA arrival this is one of my favourite and a band my daughter has been brought up listening to and we love their music, The crowds poured down to the front to dance and sing along with them. The whole band were fabulous and got us all singing and dancing the evening away. Their outfits were great and they looked like ABBA with their hair and the costumes gave the added effect, they had perfected ABBA to a tea with their dance moves and singing voices. We would love to see them perform again.

The final act of the night was Flash the Queen tribute band, by the time they came on the sun was starting to set, the crowds went wild and the front filled up with people, he was sensational from start to finish with his dance moves and singing voice, the crowds were dancing and singing along and he interacted with us all to sing along, we had great fun trying to copy him and sing the long and high notes and everyone was laughing together. Every song he sang with passion and enthusiasm. He was definitely my favourite act of the night.

The Ultimate Tribute Festival is running today and tomorrow, Today is Indie/Rock starting at 12.15 with a Stereoironics tribute followed by Hot Red Chilli Peppers, The Killerz, Foo Fakers, Kings on Lyon and Oasiss.  Sunday is 90’s and 00’s
Kicking off with Living Joy feat Tameko Star at 4pm , Artful Dodger, DJ Sash, Brandon Block, Blue and East 17. Ending with Ibiza Proms in the park with the secret symphony orchestra.

Rating: I would give the event 5 out 5.

We are heading down there again this afternoon for a couple of hours, and look forward to spending the day and evening down there tomorrow with friends.

Tickets are still available on the gate and online starting at £28.00 with booking fees, slightly more if brought on the gate. Family weekend ticket is £60 online and £65 on the door. Plus some fab finale release deals and offers on tickets.
Link can be found here for tickets and more information on the event Ultimate Festivals Poole – Bank Holiday Weekend 26th – 28th May 2023 (ultimate-festivals.com)

So if you looking for something fun to do this beautiful sunny bank holiday weekend its definitely a great thing to do, We will definitely be back again next year.