A joyous day at Kineton Music Festival and Tayfest - remembering Taylan Kurtul, six, who passed away from a brain tumour earlier this year
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KINETON Music Festival (KMF) celebrated its ninth anniversary last weekend and lived up to its founding ethos of being a “stomping, family-friendly annual music event using local music talent”.
Tayfest, a mini festival for under 12s took place within the main event. It honoured the life of Taylan Kurtul, who passed away, aged six, in February this year from a brain tumour.
The Record Covers got the weekend started on Friday night, while That Brit Sound took the Saturday night headline slot – getting the crowd up on their feet with jukebox load of Britpop covers. Other local bands included SKAlectrics, The Soul Revival, Devils Hand and The Jack O’Bones.
A KMF organising committee spokesperson shared their joy at the success of the festival: “Wow, what a weekend! The committee just want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the mass of supporters who came for out a fantastic day
“We wouldn’t be able to create such a brilliant event if it wasn’t for our sponsors and volunteers, we’re extremely grateful.
“KMF 2024 was truly made by a great set list of entertainers and traders, and Tayfest.”
Tayfest was organised by friends of Taylan’s mum Laura, who grew up in Wellesbourne. It raised funds for Brain Tumour Research and offered children an afternoon of fun activities which included a foam party, disco, football, have a go at Taekwondo, learn circus skills, as well as appearances from Spider-Man and Batman.
It was so successful with many families coming to enjoy the event, with children among them who knew Taylan, that Tayfest has been invited back next year to KMF.
Laura said: “It was an emotional day for Tay’s dad Toygun and me seeing his picture everywhere and his friends having such a great time doing things that Tay would have loved – especially the foam party and meeting Spider-Man. Thank you to everyone who helped with the organisation and running of TayFest – I couldn’t have done it without you.
“And it meant so much to us that so many people turned up to support the event – we beat our fundraising target of £4,000, which makes me super proud. Next year we’ll be back bigger, better and bolder!”
Laura’s friend Lottie Campion from Kineton, who was one of the chief organisers, said: “Taylan was the happiest, most outdoorsy little boy. He was so affectionate, kind and funny. His death from a brain tumour seems so random and frightening – it could happen to any of us with our little children.
No one should have to lose their child – it’s heartbreaking.”
