A brand-new type of open air festival, which you enjoy from the security of your own car, is heading for outdoor venues in the eastern region this summer and will give families the chance to get out and have fun following months of lockdown.
The Drive-In Experience will be at outdoor locations near ​Stowmarket, Peterborough, Norwich, Thetford, Northampton ​and​ Chelmsford​, and will run from July 30 through to September 6. It will offer live music, comedy, movies, laser shows and interactive games, as well as showcasing popular musical acts, artists and DJs, with ex-Pop Idol star and musicals favourite ​Gareth Gates​ headlining at two dates in Thetford and Chelmsford.
Those attending will watch entertainment on a performance stage and a huge high-tech hi-res LED screen from the comfort and security of their own cars, safe in their own bubbles with family or friends, while audio is delivered via FM frequency through car radios. All events will be run in line with strict Covid-19 social distancing guidelines.

The tour has been set up by East Anglian-based promoter Elliot White of Out of Space Events who said: “We want our events to deliver a fun-packed day of entertainment for everyone involved; our goal is to bring people together to enjoy unique experiences and create fond memories with families and friends whilst helping create sustainable employment opportunities for future generations to come.”

There will be four days of packed programmes at each location, running every day from 12 noon through to 11pm. Each day’s events will see sessions ranging from a family movie or games fun, ideal for families with younger children, from 12-2pm; a live tribute band or music act, or live comedy combined with a DJ set through the afternoon from 3.30pm to 4.45pm and into the evening from 6.30pm to 8pm; and then more live music or a movie from 9.30pm to 11pm with this late session compèred by a talented host and expected to have a real gig-festival party atmosphere.

The Drive-In Experience venues are at ​Stonham Barns ​near Stowmarket from July 30 to August 2; the ​East of England Showground ​at Peterborough from August 6 to August 9; Taverham Hall ​in Norwich from August 13 to 16; ​Euston Park ​outside Thetford​ ​from August 20 to 23; ​Duston Mills ​at Northampton from August 27 to 30; and ​Sandy Brook Fields ​in Chelmsford from September 3 to 6.

The entertainment will see appearances by live music acts including Kelly Llorenna formerly of N-Trance, Rozalla, Dario G, Urban Cookie Collective and Daft Funk Live, and other tribute acts covering the music of David Bowie, Beyonce and Bruno Mars as well as OASIS Maybe, Wrong Jovi and Kings of Lyon.
Singing star and recording artist Gareth Gates, who starred in musicals such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Misèrables and Legally Blonde after coming to national prominence in the 2002 Pop Idol competition, will headline the 3.30pm show at Thetford on Sunday August 23, and the 9pm show at Chelmsford on Saturday September 5.

The movie offering will range from children’s favourites such as Mary Poppins Returns, The Lego Movie 2 and Sonic The Hedgehog, to blockbusters like Mamma Mia, Rocketman, Back To The Future and Grease.
There will also be interactive fun with an inventive take on TV game shows, pub quizzes and quickfire party games, with giveaways and prizes; while live laughs will come from acts such as hip-hop parody comic Mr B, Britain’s Got Talent comedian Ben Langley and comedy act The Squirrels; and exciting YouTube sensation Tiny Tim.

Ben Langley

Social distancing measures will be in place at each location and will also enable event-goers to watch the show from outside of their cars if they want to bring picnic chairs. Local food and drink providers will be on hand with orders either available for collection or delivered safe and securely straight to vehicles. The venues will be cash-free and all payments and ticketing will be contactless.
Handwashing stations and toilet facilities with clear safety messaging will also be in place with social distancing measures monitored by on-site staff.

Mr White said: “The Drive-In Experience was created to bring a wide selection of entertainment to people who in challenging times want to come together and escape the monotony of everyday life to enjoy valuable times with friends and family in a safe and relaxed environment.
“Our giant LED video wall will be one of the main attractions for these unique, state of the art, interactive takes on the ever popular Drive In events. These entirely contact-free performances will contribute in helping restart live events all around the country whilst adhering to government social distancing guidelines.”

Tickets for each session cost £35 per car for up to five occupants, with additional occupants charged at £5 extra per person.
To buy tickets and for details of the programme for all sessions at each location, please visit
https://driveinexperience.uk/
The Drive-In Experience is run by Out of Space Events in conjunction with Epic Studios and Jericho Entertainment​.

Listing details for all events:

THE DRIVE-IN EXPERIENCE

STOWMARKET
The Drive-In Experience, ​Stonham Barns ​near Stowmarket, Thursday July 30, 12 – 2pm – The Lego Movie 2, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Live Stand Up Act Ben Langley / Never Forget 90s DJ, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Live Stand Up Act Ben Langley / Never Forget 00s DJ Set, 9 – 11:00pm – Back To The Future.
The Drive-In Experience, ​Stonham Barns ​near Stowmarket, Friday July 31, 12 – 2:00pm – Mary Poppins Returns, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Live Comedy Mr B / Chrome Hip-hop DJ Set, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Bruno Mars Tribute / Daft Funk Live, 9 – 11:00pm – Daft Funk Live / Capella.
The Drive-In Experience, ​Stonham Barns ​near Stowmarket, Saturday August 1, 2 – 2pm – Moana, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Tiny Tim / Never Forget 10s DJ Set, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Live Comedy Act The Squirrels, 9 – 11:00pm – Grease.
The Drive-In Experience, ​Stonham Barns ​near Stowmarket, Sunday August 2, 12:30 – 2pm – Let the Games Begin! 3:30 – 5:00pm – Wrong Jovi Tribute Act, 6:30 – 8:00pm – Let the Games Begin! 9: 30 – 11:00pm – Beyonce Tribute / Never Forget R&B Classics DJ Set.
PETERBOROUGH
The Drive-In Experience, ​East of England Showground ​at Peterborough, Thursday August 6, 12 – 2pm – The Lego Movie 2, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Live Stand Up Act Ben Langley / Never Forget 90s DJ, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Live Stand Up Act Ben Langley / Never Forget 00s DJ Set, 9 – 11:00pm – Kevin & Perry Go Large.
The Drive-In Experience, ​East of England Showground ​at Peterborough, Friday August 7, 12 – 2:00pm – Mary Poppins Returns, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Live Comedy Mr B / Chrome Hip-hop DJ Set, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Bruno Mars Tribute / Daft Funk Live, 9 – 11:00pm – Daft Funk Live / Dave Pearce.
The Drive-In Experience, ​East of England Showground ​at Peterborough, Saturday August 8, 2 – 2pm – Sonic The Hedgehog, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Tiny Tim / Never Forget 10s DJ Set, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Live Comedy Act The Squirrels, 9 – 11:00pm – Grease.
The Drive-In Experience, ​East of England Showground ​at Peterborough, Sunday August 9, 12:30 – 2pm – Let the Games Begin! 3:30 – 5:00pm – David Bowie Tribute, 6:30 – 8:00pm – Let the Games Begin! 9: 30 – 11:00pm – Beyonce Tribute / Never Forget R&B Classics DJ Set.

 

NORWICH
The Drive-In Experience, ​Taverham Hall,​ Norwich, Thursday August 13, 12 – 2pm – The Lego Movie 2, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Live Stand Up Act Ben Langley / Never Forget 90s DJ, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Live Stand Up Act Ben Langley / Never Forget 00s DJ Set, 9 – 11:00pm – Scream.
The Drive-In Experience, ​Taverham Hall,​ Norwich, Friday August 14, 12 – 2:00pm – Mary Poppins Returns, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Live Comedy Mr B / Chrome Hip-hop DJ Set, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Bruno Mars Tribute / Daft Funk Live, 9 – 11:00pm – Kelly Llorenna formerly of N-Trance/ Rozalla / Daft Funk Live.
The Drive-In Experience, ​Taverham Hall,​ Norwich, Saturday August 15, 2 – 2pm – Sonic The Hedgehog, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Tiny Tim / Never Forget 10s DJ Set, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Live Comedy Act The Squirrels, 9 – 11:00pm – Grease.
The Drive-In Experience, ​Taverham Hall,​ Norwich, Sunday August 16, 12:30 – 2pm – Let the Games Begin! 3:30 – 5:00pm – Oasis Maybe, 6:30 – 8:00pm – Let the Games Begin! 9: 30 – 11:00pm – Beyonce Tribute / Never Forget R&B Classics DJ Set.

THETFORD
The Drive-In Experience, ​Euston Park, ​Thetford,​ ​ Thursday August 20, 12 – 2pm – The Lego Movie 2, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Live Stand Up Act Ben Langley / Never Forget 90s DJ, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Live Stand Up Act Ben Langley / Never Forget 00s DJ Set, 9 – 11:00pm -Mamma Mia!
The Drive-In Experience, ​Euston Park, ​Thetford, Friday August 21, 12 – 2:00pm – Dumbo, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Live Comedy Mr B / Chrome Hip-hop DJ Set, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Bruno Mars Tribute / Out of Space DJ Set, 9 – 11:00pm – Dave Pearce / Daft Funk Live.
The Drive-In Experience, ​Euston Park, ​Thetford, Saturday August 22, 2 – 2pm – Sonic The Hedgehog, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Tiny Tim / Never Forget 10s DJ Set, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Live Comedy Act The Squirrels, 9 – 11:00pm – Rocketman.
The Drive-In Experience, ​Euston Park, ​Thetford, Sunday August 23, 12:30 – 2pm – Let the Games Begin! 3:30 – 5:00pm – Gareth Gates / Ultimate 00s DJ set, 6:30 – 8:00pm – Let the Games Begin! 9: 30 – 11:00pm – Beyonce Tribute / Never Forget R&B Classics DJ Set.

NORTHAMPTON
The Drive-In Experience, ​Duston Mills,​ Northampton, Thursday August 27, 12 – 2pm – The Lego Movie 2, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Live Stand Up Act Ben Langley / Never Forget 90s DJ, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Live Stand Up Act Ben Langley / Never Forget 00s DJ Set, 9 – 11:00pm – Back To The Future.
The Drive-In Experience, ​Duston Mills,​ Northampton, Friday August 28, 12 – 2:00pm – Mary Poppins Returns, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Live Comedy Mr B / Chrome Hip-hop DJ Set, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Bruno Mars Tribute / Daft Funk Live, 9 – 11:00pm – Urban Cookie Collective / Baby D / Daft Funk Live.
The Drive-In Experience, ​Duston Mills,​ Northampton, Saturday August 29, 2 – 2pm – Sonic The Hedgehog, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Tiny Tim / Never Forget 10s DJ Set, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Live Comedy Act The Squirrels, 9 – 11:00pm – Grease.
The Drive-In Experience, ​Duston Mills,​ Northampton, Sunday August 30, 12:30 – 2pm – Let the Games Begin! 3:30 – 5:00pm – Oasis Maybe, 6:30 – 8:00pm – Let the Games Begin! 9: 30 – 11:00pm – Beyonce Tribute / Never Forget R&B Classics DJ Set.

CHELMSFORD
The Drive-In Experience, ​Sandy Brook Fields,​ Chelmsford, Thursday September 3, 12 – 2pm – The Lego Movie 2, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Live Stand Up Act Ben Langley / Never Forget 90s DJ, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Live Stand Up Act Ben Langley / Never Forget 00s DJ Set, 9 – 11:00pm – Back To The Future.

The Drive-In Experience, ​Sandy Brook Fields,​ Chelmsford, Friday September 4, 12 – 2:00pm – Mary Poppins Returns, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Live Comedy Mr B / Chrome Hip-hop DJ Set, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Bruno Mars Tribute / Daft Funk Live, 9 – 11:00pm – Baby D / Dario G / Daft Funk Live.
The Drive-In Experience, ​Sandy Brook Fields,​ Chelmsford, Saturday September 5, 2 – 2pm – Sonic The Hedgehog, 3:30 – 4:45pm – Tiny Tim / Never Forget 10s DJ Set, 6:15 – 7:45pm – Out of Space 90s Party & Special Guest, 9 – 11:00pm – Gareth Gates / Ultimate 00s DJ set.
The Drive-In Experience, ​Sandy Brook Fields,​ Chelmsford, Sunday September 6, 12:30 – 2pm – Let the Games Begin! 3:30 – 5:00pm – Kings of Lyon, 6:30 – 8:00pm – Let the Games Begin! 9: 30 – 11:00pm – Beyonce Tribute / Never Forget R&B Classics DJ Set.