Music festivals

Family and friends have staged a music festival in memory of a 22-year-old man who took his own life. More than 350 people attended the first-ever SamFest in memory of popular Sam Sharp, of Packmoor. Sam died in February last year and a suicide verdict was delivered at his inquest. The event also remembered other friends and relatives who have killed themselves, including Sam's best friend - Dean Bickerton, aged 32, of Mow Cop - and 26-year-old Craig Westby, of Booth Street, Congleton. It featured live music from four bands and two singers as well as a DJ and was aimed at raising awareness of suicide in young men and to raise funds for the Stamp Out Suicide charity. Now organisers hope the Scholar Green festival can become an annual event. Sam's sister Lisa Davies, aged 30, of Packmoor, told The Sentinel: “We were totally devastated when Sam took his own life. It was in February last year and his birthday is April so last year we spent his birthday sad and upset. We did not want … [Read more...] about Family and friends stage music festival in memory of Sam, 22

Talented Uttoxeter singers hit all the right notes with judges as they picked up a top prize at a prestigious music festival. Official British and International Festivals adjudicator Philip Dewhurst awarded first prize to the Heath Chorus at the recent Newcastle under Lyme Festival for Music, Speech and Drama. The popular choir, which has 61 members, took home the coveted Joe Botham Trophy after singing a diverse repertoire of technically-challenging music. They performed pop piece The Climb, by Miley Cyrus, choral anthem We are the Voices and comedy number Give me a Choral Medley. Mr Dewhurst was full of praise for the choir's "carefully-thought-out performance" and told the audience he found the chorus "very entertaining." Chorus musical director Helen Clayton said: "When we first started doing such a varied programme, there weren't many others doing it. "But now it seems quite commonplace for choirs to sing everything from Bach to the Beatles. "I choose pieces I think the choir will … [Read more...] about Heath Chorus win top prize at prestigious music festival

A major new music and lifestyle festival is set to bring the world-famous, inimitable sights and sounds of the country music scene to the county. It will take place within the grounds of Stanford Hall which is south of Hinckley from September 7–9. Called The Long Road, it will present one of the UK’s largest, most authentic celebrations of country, Americana and roots music featuring five stages of live performances, bespoke food events and a wide range of themed outdoor activities. Curated by Tennessee-born country music specialist and radio presenter Baylen Leonard, The Long Road will present a broad array of artists. These will include iconic US stars to up-and-coming home-grown talent. And the first wave of acts to be announced for the inaugural event includes US country star Lee Ann Womack, acclaimed singer-songwriter Billy Bragg, multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter Angaleena Presley, British country duo The Shires, popstar turned country music singer Una Healy … [Read more...] about Billy Bragg and Yola Carter to appear at new music festival