Latest news with #GodivaFestival
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Godiva Festival 'a must' for The Specials' Neville Staple
"I love being on stage and I had to do Coventry."Despite serious health concerns, there was no way The Specials' Neville Staple was going to miss playing the city's Godiva one of the founders of the legendary ska revivalists, has been told he can only play five gigs a year, after having to cancel several gigs and festival sets last year when he was diagnosed with a serious heart Godiva performance on Saturday saw him back in the city where The Specials first took to the stage after forming in 1977. "I've missed being on stage so much," Staple told BBC CWR, explaining that after discussions with his wife and his doctor he accepted he had to cut back on wife and fellow musician Christine "Sugary" Staple knew his heart was immediately set on playing Godiva, where she also played in the band's line-up."He said I've got to do Coventry – out of the five [shows], Coventry is a must," she said. The three-day Godiva festival, which showcases local acts as well as famous bands, will end later with a headline set from Ocean Colour Specials were at the forefront of the 2 Tone movement that started in Coventry in the late 1970s, quickly gaining national acclaim. The genre blended Jamaican reggae, ska, and British punk with the likes of The Beat, The Selecter and Madness, the band captured the mood of the late 1970s, when future prospects for young people looked bleak. Now firmly fixed in Coventry's cultural heritage, 2 Tone continues to inspire successive generations, with tributes posted across the city when The Specials' frontman Terry Hall died in of Hall's piano's has been on display at Godiva this year, alongside a stall from Tonic Music for Mental Health, a charity he supported. "Sugary" Staple described the gig as "a homecoming" and added that "we love Godiva, we've got history at Godiva."The couple have also been involved with anti-knife crime campaigning in recent years, after their grandson Fidel Glasgow was fatally stabbed in Coventry in Saturday, Staple's message to people in the city was: "Stay positive, love one another, and put away those knives." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Godiva Festival-goers in Coventry with fancy dress and flowers
The annual Godiva Festival has kicked off in Coventry, with tens of thousands of people due to three-day event, at the city's War Memorial Park, started on Friday and runs until Almond headlined on Friday, with sets from Neville Staple of The Specials, Clean Bandit, and Ocean Colour Scene to come over the weekend."We've come to dance and that's what we've been doing," said Leanne, a festival-goer from Nuneaton, who was dressed up as a butterfly and has been coming to the event for seven years. The festival is also known for showcasing local acts, with groups such as the Coventry-based Phase One Steel Orchestra, who are playing on which began as a one-day event in 1997, is a family-friendly festival that includes dance performances and craft sessions. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The five key West Midlands events happening this weekend bringing thousands of people to the region
Culture bosses have forecasted that the 'super weekend' of events in July, including Black Sabbath's Birmingham farewell, will pump millions into the local economy. The West Midlands Growth Company has projected that the region's visitor economy could see a surge of up to £20 million. They expect as many as 300,000 fans flocking to the region at the start of July, providing a much-needed boost for the hospitality sector. READ NEXT: Why Jason Momoa was selected to host Black Sabbath's Villa Park concert The five key events happening in the West Midlands this weekend are: Music enthusiasts can look forward to sold-out gigs such as Black Sabbath's Back to the Beginning festival (July 5, Villa Park, Birmingham) – hailed as 'the greatest heavy metal show ever' with Ozzy Osbourne's final performance. Jeff Lynne's ELO: The Over and Out tour (July 5-6, Utilita Arena, Birmingham). The Men's Second Test between England and India (July 2-6, Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham). The Godiva Festival (July 4-6, War Memorial Park, Coventry). The Colmore Food Festival (July 4-5, Victoria Square, Birmingham), reports Birmingham Live. Hotel occupancy in Birmingham city centre is expected to rocket to nearly 90 per cent, a significant increase compared to the first Saturday in July 2024 (52 per cent). Data from STR also suggests that Birmingham's hoteliers can anticipate higher occupancy rates for the first three weeks in July, compared to the same period last year. July is set to be jam-packed with marquee events, not least Stevie Wonder's 'Love, Light and Song' gig on 7 July. The city will also groove to the Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival from 11-13 July, followed closely by the Birmingham Jazz and Blues Festival kicking off on 18 July. Councillor John Cotton, the leading figure at Birmingham City Council, enthused: "The eyes of the world will be on Birmingham for an extraordinary, unrivalled few days of music, sport and foodie events, delivering real-time economic benefits to our local businesses and communities. "There is always such a special atmosphere in the city on major event days. "We look forward to bringing people together and providing the backdrop for a vibrant celebration of Birmingham's culture and heritage, creating more special experiences and memories for our visitors." Utilita Arena Birmingham and bp pulse LIVE's boss Jen Mitchell was equally upbeat, saying: "Welcoming thousands of fans to the city is what we do best – but hosting Brummie legends ELO makes this weekend particularly special. "With major moments also happening across the city, from Black Sabbath at Villa Park to the Test Match at Edgbaston, it's a real showcase of Birmingham's strength as a large-scale live events destination." Kelsey Dwyer, Partnerships and Events Manager at Colmore BID, is over the moon about the Colmore Food Festival making its comeback to Birmingham's Victoria Square for this July Super Weekend: "We're thrilled to bring Colmore Food Festival back to the heart of Birmingham in Victoria Square this July Super Weekend." She pointed out the festival's enticing features, saying: "With over 30 incredible local food and drink venues, capped menu prices, and a buzzing, family-friendly atmosphere, it's the perfect way to soak up the city's buzzing atmosphere." Dwyer also touched on the wide-ranging appeal of the event: "Whether you want to fuel up before the big gig, soak in the rock 'n' roll vibes or get your metal-inspired face paints, there's something for everyone." Wrapping up, she extended an open invitation: "Come hungry, leave happy – and don't forget to request your favourite metal tune with our on-stage entertainers while you're at it!".
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Coventry's Godiva Festival 2025: All you need to know
Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on Coventry this weekend for the Godiva three-day annual music event will take place at the city's War Memorial Park from Friday until City Council, who organise the event, said it would be "another memorable weekend" for the Almond, Clean Bandit and Ocean Colour Scene are this year's headline acts. Godiva began as a free day-long event in 1997 and became a three-day event the following live music, the family festival also has dance and street performers as well as craft and sports sessions, along with food and drink years have seen headline acts such as The Enemy, Tom Grennan, Sir Bob Geldof, The Libertines and Paloma Faith take to the stage. When is Godiva Festival? This year, the festival is taking place between 4 to 6 will open at 18:00 BST on Friday with the event that day due to finish by 22:30 and Sunday will see gates open at midday. On Saturday, the last acts are due to be finished by 22:30 BST and on Sunday, the party will end at the earlier time of 19:00 festival is named after Coventry's famous medieval legend, Lady Godiva, who is believed to have ridden naked on horseback through the city more than 1,000 years ago in order to reduce taxes imposed by her husband, the Earl of Mercia. Is Godiva Festival free? Previously the event was a free, ticketless festival but charges were introduced by the council in authority said prices for a standard day ticket for this year's event start from £15 - with weekend tickets from £ aged under five or carers can attend for March, the authority announced ticket prices for 2025 would be frozen and earlier this year put £330,000 into the event to cover a shortfall for this year's show. Who is performing? Singer-songwriter Marc Almond will perform on Friday, alongside other acts such as Heaven 17 and Heather will see electronic group Clean Bandit, who have had four number one singles, take to the main stage along with the likes of Nathan Dawe, Rose Gray and a special guest, Neville Staple from The the festival on Sunday will be Birmingham rock band Ocean Colour Scene, with Rick Parfitt JR and dance group Diversity completing the set-times for each artist have been listed on the year, performances will take place across the Main Stage and the Cov Stage, which will host local talent. A third stage, the Cov ConneX Kingston Stage, will see young local musicians given the chance to perform in their home stage, first introduced at last year's festival, is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, with a grant worth almost £30,000. Do you need to bring photo ID? Admission to the event site will only be allowed with the presentation of a valid ticket, Godiva Festival of photographic identity may also be required at the time of entry, a spokesperson of entry, including prohibited items, are listed on the event's bag per person is allowed but it must be no bigger than an A4 sheet of ticket holder will also be subject to search upon restrictions are also in place following reports of stampeding youths at last year's event, which caused a festival stage to close down. How do I get to the festival? The War Memorial Park is about a 10-minute walk from Coventry Railway would also be signs to guide people to the entrance, a festival spokesperson Express Coventry also provides frequent bus services to the park from the city centre and the University of those coming by car, the postcode you will need if you are using maps is CV3 6GF, with car parking available on site each day for £15. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Godiva Festival brings back local talent stage after cash boost
A third stage to showcase more local musicians will return to a Coventry music festival, enabling it to also celebrate its twin city of Kingston, Cov ConneX Kingston Stage will be back at the Godiva Festival after organisers secured funding worth almost £30,000 from National Lottery through Arts Council 40 city-based artists will take to the stage over the weekend with styles ranging from rap, grime, afrobeat and reggae to DJs and MCs, all about celebrating local inspiration alongside the sounds of Abdul Salam Khan said the stage's return will add "something extra special and I know it will be a big attraction for all music lovers". The headliners this year have been confirmed as Marc Almond, Clean Bandit and Ocean Colour in Coventry's War Memorial Park the council-organised festival runs from Friday until Sunday.A second stage, called the Cov Stage, will also host local Naeem Akhtar described Coventry as a "great musical city.""Godiva is loved by so many, and with the music stages supported by a host of other attractions for families and visitors of all ages, it's going to be another memorable weekend for the city," he said. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
