Dorset Drum Fest returns to Weymouth Pavilion with headline clinics, hands-on workshops

Thomas Lang, Anna Fettes and Mike Mcphrazier headline Dorset Drum Fest as the one-day regional drumming gathering returns to Weymouth Pavilion, running 10am to 5pm on Sunday, March 22. Organisers say the March programme expands the festival’s clinic, workshop and community-engagement offerings and promises a full day of clinics, demonstrations and hands-on activity.

The festival will occupy multiple parts of the seafront theatre, taking over the main hall and main stage for headline clinics, a second room and a marquee outside for further sessions, plus an Ocean Room for stalls and an upstairs education area. Event listings note two stages will host sessions and demonstrations beyond the main stage, turning the Pavilion into a multi-space drum hub for the day.

Headline clinics on the main stage will feature Thomas Lang, Anna Fettes and Mike Mcphrazier, with additional performers listed as “others” on the bill. Further sessions and demonstrations will be spread across two stages, giving attendees opportunities to move between technical clinics, performance demos and gear showcases throughout the programme.

New specialist workshops for 2026 include drumhead mounting and tuning with Ollie Usiskin and cymbal making with Dave Collingwood, alongside percussion classes described as new for this year. Workshops are priced at £5 and are bookable on the day, a structure organisers highlight as an affordable way to dive deeper into the drumming world.

Hands-on elements are central to the festival. Visitors can browse shops and displays in the Ocean Room, try their hand at drumming challenges and get hands-on with a range of kits and percussion. An upstairs education area will offer guidance from local drum tutors and a chance to book discounted lessons on the day, providing a clear pathway from a one-off clinic to ongoing tuition.

Tickets are available from the Pavilion box office and the venue website, with organisers urging people to book early and pick theatre seats when buying tickets because numbers and seating are limited. Parking and refreshments will be available on site, and the Pavilion layout and £5 workshop model signal an event built around access, practical learning and a stepped-in approach to gear and technique for drummers across skill levels.