11:00am Monday 24th August 2009
By Lauren Rogers
MUSIC fans were spoilt for choice when more than 130 bands played live across Worcester.
The city’s official music festival, now in its second year, has been hailed as a huge success by artists, audience members and organisers alike.
It began on Friday with a handful of local acts, including Nigel Clark of 1990s Britpop band Dodgy, performing at the Marr’s Bar in Pierpoint Street.
The festival, part of the main Worcester Festival, was declared officially open by the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Andy Roberts, at 7pm and the gig was broadcast live on BBC Hereford and Worcester radio.
The music continued on Saturday and Sunday with bands playing in pubs, restaurants, cafes and even the odd museum.
Lisa Ventura, co-founder and chairman of Worcester Music Festival, said: “There was so much going on that people were saying that there were quite a few gigs that they wanted to see taking place at the same time.
“And that’s a representation of the fantastic live music scene we’ve got in Worcester. What we hope to provide is a taster so that people will carry on supporting local music all year round.”
More and more pubs are putting on gigs and for many the music festival was a chance to test the water. It was the first time in 40 years that live bands played at the Cricketers in Angel Street.
Licensee Kim Dowling said: “We’ve had different singers in every night and it’s been great. We’re definitely taking part again next year and we want to start having something once a week or once a month.”
For Miss Ventura, who helped to establish the festival with local music promoter Chris Bennion, highlights included a staging of Worcester band Da Vinci’s rock opera Razorblade World, the last every gig by much-loved Worcester pop group And What Will Be Left of Them, and an emotional performance by The Atats at The Pheasant in New Street.
It was the rock group’s first gig since frontman Alessio Adoriso, aged 23, died following a car crash on the M5.
“It was very emotional,” said Miss Ventura.
“There was a picture of Alessio at the front of the stage. It was packed with his friends. There were people outside listening in.”
Your Worcester News teamed up with festival organisers to hold a photography competition. The winner who took the best photo of a band playing live during the festival will be announced soon.
For more information see worcestermusicfestival.co.uk.
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