Five Days of Firework Spectacular in Henley

Drumming and fireworks are an explosive combination, as visitors to Henley Festival 2013 can confirm.

For five days in a row, groups of 35 drummers provided the nightly Firework Spectacular in Henley-on-Thames, supplemented by three angels on stilts, seven working men and women, and one Brunel.

Every night, we started our performance just a short time after one of the main acts - a select list of top musicians:

• Wednesday 10 July: The Beach Boys
• Thursday 11 July: Jamie Cullum
• Friday 12 July: Madness
• Saturday 13 July: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
• Sunday 14 July: Paloma Faith

The fireworks were specially developed for our performance by pyrotechnic experts Pains Fireworks, who positioned a few flame-throwers and sparkles next to our stage and an arsenal of rockets on the opposite river bank.

The result was an amazing, unique auditory and visual feast for festival-goers, boat crews on the Thames, and the general public, as the spectacle could be seen and heard all over Henley.

With a black tie dress code, art galleries and fine dining opportunities, Henley Festival gained a reputation for an event with a difference, and we were encouraged to roam around the compound in our Industrial Revolution costumes to add to the eccentric atmosphere.

We received enthusiastic feedback from the crowd and closed off the five wonderful days in Henley with a bit of fun-filled rhythmic audience interaction.

See more Henley Festival photos from our photographer Vilma Laryea on Flickr

---

Photo credits: Vilma Laryea

Share this:

ABOUTPandemonium Drummers

The Pandemonium Drummers were originally put together by London 2012 Ceremonies for the Pandemonium segment of Danny Boyle's spectacular Olympic Opening Ceremony. Following the Ceremony, the volunteer drummers kept on performing at a variety of events.

Based on their extensive training, they performed at other Opening Ceremonies, including the UEFA Champions League Final 2013, the FA Cup Final 2014, and the Heineken Cup Final 2014, and at a variety of large and small festivals as well as sports and community events. The Pandemonium Drummers are a returning act in London's major parades, including the London New Years' Day Parade, St Patrick's Day Parade, and the Lord Mayor's Show, and they coined Cheer Drumming, supporting runners at major sports events across the capital and beyond. The Pandemonium Drummers have supported the Special Olympics, the Teenage Cancer Trust, and a wide range of other charities.

The Pandemonium Drummers are a constituted association with charitable aims, and are working on a non-profit basis as volunteers.

[ More about the Pandemonium Drummers ]