EMF announce free gig as council honours them with blue plaque

EMF have announced today they will headline a free festival in the Forest of Dean this summer as a blue plaque was unveiled in their honour in Cinderford.

The alternative rock band from Cinderford which came to prominence in the 1990s is best known for its hit single Unbelievable which reached number three on the UK singles chart and was a number one hit in the US.

The Town Council agreed last year to honour the group with a blue plaque on the side of Cinderford Clock Tower.

James Atkin and Ian Dench were invited to a packed event at the Bellevue Centre ahead of the unveiling today (March 18) where they were each given a miniature blue plaque.

“What a great honour to receive the accolade of a blue plaque,” James said. “We are totally blown away.

“We do consider Cinderford and the Forest of Dean to be the home of EMF. It’s really wonderful to visit our most humble beginnings.

“We rehearsed just over the road there at St Stephen’s Hall and our first gig was at The Bilson. EMF was made possible because of the Forest of Dean, the freedom we had here, our amazing friends and beautiful surroundings.

“It is a special place.”

He said it was important that the plaque named the late band member Zac Foley.

“We did love and adore Zac and miss him dearly,” he said.

James then concluded his speech by saying something EMF get to say on stage.

“We are a band from Forest of Dean, England. The original brave ravers keeping the faith since the 1990s.

“Ladies and gentlemen, and I’m not going to swear… we are the Epsom Mad Funkers!”

This was met with cheer and applause by those present. A parade led by town crier Jer Holland walked down with James and Ian to the Triangle to witness the unveiling of their blue plaque.

The crowd were then greeted with a surprise notice announcing the band will play at CindyFest on July 12.

“Town councils everywhere across the country have their hands tied behind their backs at the moment,” the crier said.

“We get a lot of grief. These are difficult times for everybody. This town council does work hard to do the right thing.”

He said ever since he came up with the idea of the unveiling and “after a lot of pestering” during one of EMF’s busy schedule this year they managed to convince the band to play in the town.

“We’ve managed to do something pretty special… Saturday July 12, free gig Cindyfest 2025, you’re headliners EMF.”

The crowd erupted with cheer and applause.