AN INAUGURAL arts and music festival will be held inside a giant blanket-fort in Swindon.

BlanketFest is being organised by Charlie Miles, Owen Chambers and Sumita Majumdar and will take place at The Post Modern at Artsite on August 17.

The venue will be filled with blankets, encouraging participants to come in their pyjamas.

Charlie, who lives near the town centre, said he got the idea by talking to local artist and musician Sumita.

He said: “We were saying how it would be a nice way to get a different atmosphere from the usual pub-based gigs something that a lot of people don’t feel super comfortable attending for a variety of reasons.

“More than anything it sounded like a funny idea that was worth pursuing even if it ends up a car crash.

“We have zero funding, but we have lots of friends who tend to muck in where they can and the people at Artsite are super supportive.”

The event will feature various bands with different styles and a set of arts exhibitions.

Owen said: “In terms of the programme we have got a bunch of exciting acts.

“We usually put on a lot of experimental and noise bands but because it’s meant to have this cosy atmosphere the bands are skewered towards the quiet side this time.

“We’ve got cool alternative folk, experimental pop, ambient feedback drones and more.”

He added: “At the very least, it’s going to be loads of blankets and cushions so people can get cosy and watch the music.”

Owen and Charlie will also perform together at the event as they have a band called Worker Vs Parasite.

“I am planning on constructing an elaborate costume made out of pillows for my set and am basically going to fall over a lot,” Owen said.

“We play a bunch of stuff. It can vary – usually guitars, contact mics, accordion, shruti. We usually decide on the night of the gig what we’re going to be doing. It’s all improvised.”

They both have created Liquid Library, “a small DIY cassette label who puts on gigs in Swindon and Bristol”.

The event will start at around 2pm and ends at 10pm. For further information: https://www.facebook.com/events/606252413199846/