Success for Spinning The Wheel 7
November 3, 2025
James Bermingham performs at Spinning The Wheel
The Catherine Wheel in Goring staged its seventh ‘Spinning The Wheel’ music festival in June. The event, which started in 2017 as a response to the death of George Michael, who lived locally and was a customer, now attracts fans of the pop icon from all corners of the globe as well as locals.
Business owners Dan & Kat Gibson and Vanessa Cooke explain: “After George died, on Christmas Day 2016, Goring became a place of pilgrimage for his many fans. We didn’t want to do anything that might look like exploiting his death, but a group of fans, called The Lovelies, persuaded us to put on a tribute act the following June and we had about 500 people in the pub garden.
“We’ve held Spinning The Wheel every year since – apart from the two lockdown years – on the weekend near his birthday on 25th June, and audience numbers keep growing.”
We didn’t want to do anything that might look like exploiting his death, but a group of fans, called The Lovelies, persuaded us to put on a tribute act the following June and we had about 500 people in the pub garden.
World class tribute singer
George Michael tribute singer James Bermingham has performed since the beginning – in fact Spinning The Wheel launched his career, which now sees him perform around the world. The of course celebrates George’s music, but is also broader, showcasing local bands.
The Mysteries
The pub avoids doing anything ‘tacky’ at the event, but sells a souvenir reusable cup which has become a collector’s item.
The business owners added: “Special thanks to Mark Baker and Jeanette Rosato who manage all the music so professionally and to our brilliant pub team. Next year will mark 10 years since George’s death so we’re making plans to make Spinning The Wheel 8 really special.”
