Latest news with #MarcAlmond
Daily Record
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Doune festival supremo praises "heart-warming" response as revamped event looms
Brian Harkin - who is the man behind Back Doune the Rabbit Hole - has praised the response from music fans and locals as the countdown to next week's festival ticks on. The brains behind the revamped Back Doune the Rabbit Hole admits it has been a 'long road' back for the once-famous festival - but the excitement is building as the event takes shape. The festival takes place back at the Cardross Estate near Port of Menteith from August 1-3, with new ownership after the previous event collapsed amid controversial circumstances. Helensburgh businessman and musician Brian Harkin has been busy at the festival site coordinating the various stages and amenities as the final preparations kick into gear. Speaking to the Observer this week, he reflected on the support offered by both music fans online and the local community - as well as the body blow of headliners The Fratellis being forced to pull out after the third-party promoters in charge of their booking fell into liquidation. He said: 'We're all buzzing for things to get underway and everyone involved within the local community has been so friendly and supportive which is a really heart-warming thing. 'The build hasn't been without its issues because of the problems with the previous event, but it feels as if we've surpassed that. 'The ticket sales so far have been very good and as good as we expected them to be. 'We kept the brand of Doune The Rabbit Hole because it was much-loved for some time, while recognising how things were handled previously were obviously questionable and not done very well at all, to say the least. 'I know a lot of people who came to this festival before - all of my kids have been for example - and it saddens me that it all got so tarnished, but I know there is a lot of excitement about next week.' The line-up includes some big beasts in the music world, such as Liverpool indie favourites The Zutons, who top the bill on the Sunday evening, and Marc Almond - who headlines on Friday. Scouting for Girls, the Bay City Rollers, The Skids and Newton Faulkner will also be performing. But the Saturday evening showcase was forced to be changed after third-party promoter Wannasee Ltd entered financial trouble - leading to the 'Chelsea Dagger'-hitmakers cancelling four planned summer appearances - including at BDTRH. That spot has been filled by legendary space rockers Hawkwind, with the London group set to delight fans in attendance with a blend of styles from the progressive to the psychedelic. 'Getting Hawkwind in as a legends set was a bit of a blinder for us,' Mr Harkin adds. 'They're on fire at the moment and since it's been about 35 years since I've seen them live, I've told the team that I'll be tapping out when that set is on, although I won't be able to enjoy a pint. 'The first I knew on the Fratellis situation was straight after the liquidation was announced and it was an awful hurdle to overcome for us. 'We were injured by the Wannasee liquidation, just the same as the promoters and a long line of suppliers. 'Being honest, my heart sunk at that point but the online community really rallied behind us and our social team were really honest with the statement we put out and pointing out that we were victims and it wasn't anything to do with us.' As those dramas are finally put in the rear view mirror and the countdown ticking away, Mr Harkin is promising a return to the warm vibe associated with the Doune festival in the past. 'It's all about the family-friendly vibe and the programme we have on site for people is amazing. 'It will be a great event for those coming along - I've got a large family myself and all of my kids and grandkids are coming along, they've been buzzing about it as much as me!'
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.
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.
South Wales Guardian
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
The Damned announce 50th anniversary show at Wembley Arena
Taking place on April 11 2026, the show will see the band supported by Peter Hook And The Light, The Loveless featuring Marc Almond and The Courettes. Announcing the gig, The Damned said: 'Half a century on and who'd have thought The Damned would still be upright and breathing? 'We have shared some tragic losses along the way, but like a finely-tuned engine, The Damned still has the power and finesse to excite, entertain and accelerate into our 50th year… 'To mark this milestone event, we've booked OVO Arena Wembley for the 11th of April 2026 and after a lot of careful deliberation have put a bill together for a night for you to remember and will be joined by The Courettes, Peter Hook and Marc Almond. 'We haven't made up the set list as yet but with 50 years of catalogue to choose from, only the best songs from our chequered history will be performed – and with the passion and commitment all good music lovers deserve. 'You know we won't disappoint, we never thought we'd make it this far and neither did you.' It comes after Brian James, the band's original guitarist, died aged 70 in March. The group are currently made up of original members Dave Vanian, real name David Lett, Captain Sensible, real name Raymond Burns, and Rat Scabies, real name Christopher Millar, along with Paul Gray and Monty Oxymoron, real name Laurence Burrow. Formed in 1976, The Damned's first single New Rose, released in the same year, is widely thought of as the first British punk single, while their debut album Damned Damned Damned is seen as the first punk album released by a UK group. The band are best known for songs such as Neat Neat Neat, Smash It Up and Eloise, a cover of the 1968 Barry Ryan song. They have had one UK top 10 single and two UK top 10 albums.
