2:09pm Monday 23rd June 2008
By Lauren Rogers
MORE than 100 musicians are preparing to take over Worcester’s pubs, clubs and cafes.
The inaugural Worcester Music Festival, which takes place over three days in August as part of the already hugely-popular Worcester Festival, is fast taking shape.
Organiser Chris Bennion, who runs the local music website Not Just Sauce, is calling it the ultimate celebration of home-grown music.
He said: “We have some amazing bands in the area, and it seems as if the entire Worcester music scene is pulling together to create something good.
“We have more than 20 venues taking part, from local pubs and clubs to coffee shops and even a museum. The range of music available is tremendous.”
Festival-goers will enjoy authentic blues, folk, hip hop, ska and almost every other genre in between.
Mr Bennion said special thanks should go to Worcester’s dedicated music promoters, including Tony Gibbons of Drummonds, Pete Adams of the Little Hellfire Club, Bob Jones, James Perry of 1147am, and Fat Rat Productions, to name just a few.
Some venues taking part, including Tudor House in Friar Street, have never before hosted live music, while others such as Keystones in Copenhagen Street are old hands.
Owner Jules Benjamin, former member of Beatles tribute band The Beatless and a performer himself, anticipates a successful weekend.
He said: “It’s going to be great for Worcester, especially now it’s off the back of the main Worcester Festival.
“I don’t think there is as much live music in Worcester as people would like, so this has to be a good thing.”
The public will be encouraged to make some noise, as well as listen, as city group DrumLove hold free workshops over the weekend, while more than 30 acoustic artists will play unplugged in smaller venues.
Worcester Music Festival runs from Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24. For more details, log on to worcestermusicfestival.co.uk
Worcester Festival, running throughout the month, ends on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25, with fireworks at South Quay. Programmes are available now from the tourist information centre, High Street.
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