Oceans of colour as world-class band headlines at village music festival
Published at 09:07, Monday, 09 July 2012
THEY have played at sold-out venues across the globe and now they are bringing their world-famous music to a little village in Tynedale.
Simon Fowler and Oscar Harrison from popular 90s Britpop band Ocean Colour Scene are the headline act at tomorrow’s returning Corbridge Festival.
Following its successful debut last year, the music festival is expected to draw huge crowds to Tynedale Rugby Club with the top drawer line-up.
Undoubtedly, the names on everybody’s lips are Simon and Oscar as they will perform an acoustic set on the main stage.
The duo’s acoustic set has already received rave reviews wherever they have been and their stripped-down versions of Ocean Colour Scene’s classics is something that is exciting the Corbridge festival-goers.
In the 1990s, the band made fans the world over with instantly recognisable hits The Riverboat Song and The Day we Caught the Train ,and their songs appear frequently in the mainstream.
This week, lead singer Simon said: “We are looking forward to the gig on Saturday and the crowd can expect us to play Ocean Colour Scene songs performed as they were originally written. And we expect them all to sing along!"
Festival director Cheryl Durkin said: “I think it is such a big deal that members of a world class band are coming to a little place like Corbridge. If I wasn’t organising the festival, I would certainly be buying a ticket!
“Last year, we didn’t have a known headline act so when we were talking about the 2012 festival, we just thought that it would be fantastic to get one to add value to money and excitement.
“It was hard to find someone with so much credibility and a band which appeals to a wide spectrum of music lovers.
“But we have found one and I am very pleased and very excited that Simon and Oscar will be playing at Corbridge Festival.”
However, it is not just Simon and Oscar’s appearance at the festival which is getting music lovers hot under the collar.
The festival has a variety of music across two stages, with side attractions to keep the whole family entertained.
The most recent internationally- acclaimed guest is teenage singer-songwriter Rae Morris who is fresh from supporting both Noah and the Whale and Bombay Bicycle Club.
It has been a whirlwind few months for the talented youngster as she signed to Atlantic Records and, after it appeared on the TV programme Skins, her track Don’t Go received 150,000 YouTube views in a matter of weeks.
Joining the excellent line-up is The Quireboys who, for the past 15 years, have been synonymous with hand-made rock music, spiced with edgy riffs and driving rhythms.
Representing the local music community, Haltwhistle’s seven-piece ska/reggae band Pikey Beatz will bring their individual take on music to the stage at Corbridge.
Other acts confirmed are The Lauren Housley Band, Livewire, Claypath, Jamie Squire, Paul Liddell, Unplugged, Smoove and Turrell, The Longsands and many more.
Mrs Durkin said: “I have been going to festivals for many years and what makes us unique is that we have aimed to provide such an eclectic mix of music.
“Looking at our line-up, I don’t think you would know what my musical tastes are, and I am looking forward to seeing Dancing Lotus and Smoove and Turrell as much as anyone else. And Rae Morris played last year and she is simply breathtaking.
“The bands playing are all on the way up and, when they make it big, people will be saying they saw them at Corbridge in 2012.”
The full line-up for all stages is being finalised, but updated lists will be posted at www.corbridge-festival.co.uk
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk
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