Calling all live music lovers - Dart Music Festival is back! And here at Bert & Buoy, we can’t wait for the buzz that this Festival brings to Dartmouth, as the crowds sail in to discover live music and spring vibes, set against the dreamy backdrop of the River Dart - sigh! 

The Festival finally makes its return this year after two years of pandemic silence - it’s been far too long without these foot stomping sounds in our town! Not only that, but 2022 marks the 25th birthday of Dart Music Festival, so it’s yet another reason to celebrate! Read on to find out our top picks from the festival line up and a sneak peek at exclusive treats we’ll be running in store to sail-ebrate over the festival weekend.

We love what Dart Music Festival stands for: that music is for everyone and should be free for all! It's why we became sponsors of this not-for-profit event, largely run by volunteers, that costs over £80k to stage every year! Because every gig and workshop is free to attend (that’s right, FREE!), sponsorships and donations are the key to keep the festival running year after year, and to support the brilliant acts and artists who show up to play their hearts out!

Festival stages around Dartmouth are utterly unique, like the Bays Brewery Main Stage (bandstand), The Guildhall, The Old Market Square, Bayard's Cove Fort, The Flavel, The Sail Loft, Cafe Alf Resco and Dartmouth Yacht Club. Here's our pick a day from the programme:

🎶   Friday 6th May - we're hook, line and sinker for Andy Quick and The Andy Quick Band - a lively, upbeat funk/roots/blues group, playing the Bays Brewery Main Stage (The Bandstand).

🎶  Saturday 7th May - London Afrobeat Collective are a 9-piece Afro-Funk group, whose music will pack a powerful party punch on the Bays Brewery Main Stage (The Bandstand).

🎶  Sunday 8th May - Playing at the Market Square, we'll be there to watch multi award winning singer-songwriter Jim Causley deliver the very best in folk music.

And if these don’t tickle your fancy, there’s a huge variety of genres playing at the festival over 3 days - so you’re sure to find an act you’ll love! To see the full lineup, check out the DMF programme app to keep the whole festival in your pocket! All proceeds from downloads of the app go straight back into putting the festival on next year - hurray!

As for us, we’ve got a whole host of treats and special offers for those who visit our Dartmouth store at 24 Fairfax Place from the 5th to 9th May (extended to share even more niceness)! Here’s 3 ways we’ll be sail-ebrating: 

🎶   No. 1 Oh buoy! There's 20% off everything in store and at bertandbuoy.com, featuring art, homeware and accessories for coastal lovers everywhere. 

🎶   No. 2  Holy ship! Enter our gift card giveaway worth £150! No purchase necessary, just pop into the store, share your email address and who knows, you might win this Bert & Buoy gift card, woo hoo!

🎶   No. 3 Spot the musically inspired display and listen to the laid-back sounds from the official festival playlist as you browse everything inside our family business, inspired by a life loved on the South Devon coast.

If all that music and shopping has got you a little thirsty and peckish, why not head to our favourite independent eateries in Dartmouth this weekend. If you’re looking for a quick bite, head to Saveurs for yummy French food on the go, or visit Bula for a laid back spot to sit and relax, and for something sweet to finish, why not pop into the newly reopened Morello’s, who do the most delicious milkshakes and sundaes, yum! If you’re staying overnight, the only place for breakfast has to be our friends at the iconic Al Fresco’s, open from 7am.

So if you do find yourself in dreamy Dartmouth, be sure not to miss Dart Music Festival on the 6th, 7th and 8th May - an amazing and totally free way to support artists and keep music fun and free, the way it was always meant to be! And who wouldn’t want to come and enjoy free music, independent shopping and deliciously local food and drink, all in this most stunning location?!?