Preview: Splendour Festival – Wollaton Park – 19 July 2014

This weekend will see thousands descend on Wollaton Park for the annual Splendour Festival, and once again Nottingham will be well represented among the lineup.

This year there are thirteen Nottingham acts performing at the festival as the city continues to show why it is a hotbed of musical talent.

Saint Raymond performing at Splendour 2013

Leading the charge is Nottingham’s musical man of the moment SAINT RAYMOND who, after a stunning set on the Jagermeister Stage last year finds himself performing on the main stage this time round. After a sell-out UK tour not to mention supporting the likes of Haim the star continues to rise for Saint Raymond, aka Callum Burrows, who’s latest single I Want You wish picked out by BBC Radio presenter Zane Lowe, he’s also about to head out on an arena tour as support for Ed Sheeran.

As in previous years the honour of kicking off the festival on the main stage goes to a Nottingham act in the form of the Future Sound of Nottingham winners. In past years the likes of The Money, The Afterdark Movement and The Gorgeous Chans have all taken on this role, this year, for the first time, a solo performer will be opening the show in the form of the fabulous JOY MUMFORD who thrilled the judges at the final in June. Incidentally Joy was to have been the very last guest on the NottinghamLIVE Radio Show but sadly that show never made it to air and so we missed out on welcoming this amazing performer onto the show. That said we’re really looking forward to seeing her perform on Saturday.

Nottingham’s Confetti have taken on the sponsorship of the second stage this year, replacing Jagermeister, and there will be a number of Nottingham acts to enjoy through the day.

A PLASTIC ROSE may originate from Belfast, and their is no mistaking their Irish charm, however the guys have since made Nottingham their home and have quickly won themselves a fanbase in the city – as well as further afield. They’ll certainly be one to catch.

Anybody who has been following the Nottingham scene will be aware of AMBER RUN, hotly tipped by everybody as one of the bands to watch in 2014 the band, who only formed last year, have already been snapped up by a major label, having performed at both Reading and Leeds just months after starting up. Find out just why there is so much hype around this band when they take to the Confetti stage.

Amber Run

Amber Run

Opening the action on the second stage will be a band we’re not familiar with, though we certainly are familiar with the bands lead singer, who we’re big fans of. KETO is the new band project from the excellent Leah Sinead, one of our favourite solo performers in Nottingham and we’re certainly excited to see her as part of a band, which we understand went down extremely well at the Waterfront Festival last weekend.

The courtyard stage has firmly established itself as a showcase for upcoming and new Nottingham talent, whether it be under the guise of Left Lion or NCN who have sponsored it in previous years. This year it’s being taken over by the Rescue Rooms Acoustic night, Acoustic Rooms, to present a fabulous selection of Nottingham acoustic talent.

Brilliant acoustic duo NOAH will be rounding things up on the day in, what we imagine, will be truly sensational style while one of our favourite new-ish acts BUD will have the perfect upbeat sounds which we can only pray the weather lives up to.

You can expect some retro pop/northern soul sounds from BITTER STRINGS as well as a set from one of Nottingham’s best acoustic performers, fresh from supporting Paul Weller in Europe, in the form of GALLERY 47 who we highly recommend checking out, especially if you haven’t seen him before.

You can grab a midday pick me up with some great and hugely enjoyable rock from FIELDS which follows the blues sounds of RYAN THOMAS who will no doubt be treating the crowds to tracks from his excellent new album ‘Worries & Troubles’ .

Ryan Thomas

Ryan Thomas

Also appearing on the Acoustic Rooms stage will be two brilliant young acoustic talents in GEORGE HOLROYD and FRANKIE RUDOLF, who are both well worth catching out and well on their way to great things.

As you can see there is plenty of Nottingham music for your money this Saturday as our great city as the conveyor belt of great musical talent in this city shows no signs of slowing down.

Of course it’s not just about Nottingham this weekend – well it is for us but maybe not for you – and we’re sure many of you will be heading down to Splendour thanks to the likes of Northern legends HAPPY MONDAYS and Bob Geldof fronted BOOMTOWN RATS or maybe the more recent chart toppers such as TOM ODELL and SCOUTING FOR GIRLS are the ones grabbing your attention.

On top of that there will be sets from veteran favourites such as REVEREND & THE MAKERS and THE BEAT as well as current favourites and upcoming stars such as RON POPE, FOXES, THE RIFLES, UNCLE FRANK and BILLY LOCKETT.

As ever the Funhouse team will be there with their comedy stage in the courtyard where you can enjoy laughs from NICK PAGE, GERRY K, STEVE ROYLE, PATRICK MONAHAN and THE RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVUE, with BRENDAN RILEY on compere duty throughout the day.

There will, of course, also be plenty more going on with stalls, food, childrens activities and a fairground to make sure everybody has a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Over the years Splendour has established itself as a top festival and this is looking like being another winner with 20,000 expected to party away in the shadow of Wayne Manor (well in The Dark Knight Rises at least).

Make sure you don’t miss out on a fantastic day of live music, head on over to the official Splendour website now for more information on tickets.

Darren Patterson

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