This coming Friday 27 August, at 6pm, Gosport Borough Council’s fantastic FREE Waterfront Festival will begin, providing residents of the town with 3 days of great music, with something to suit all ages.
Over 30 acts will perform, with Soul, Blues, Indie Rock, Alternative Rock and even some Blues based Rock with shades of Funk and Jazz on offer, courtesy of bands such as the Lewis Creaven Band; the Underdogs; Bear Cavalry; The Hype and Orange Street. London girl band The Scarletz, with their ska-infused pop are one to watch out for as to arelocal favourites, Big Brother Soul - always a crowd pleaser.
Nostalgia will abound for those who remember hits of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s with this year’s terrific headline acts.
On Friday (27 August) the New Amen Corner will perform some of the million seller hits of the original band, who became a household name of the 60’s. Hits such as:- Bend Me Shape Me; If Paradise was Half as Nice; High in the Sky and Hello Suzie are sure to please.
On Saturday (28 August) the crowd are in for a double whammy with the fabulous Geno Washington and everyone’s favourite, Showaddywaddy.
Geno, who had two of the biggest selling UK albums of the 60’s, is as strong as ever. His following grows with new generations turning to him to deliver the sounds that have had generations of fans spellbound.
Released in 1974, Showaddywaddy’s first single, Hey Rock and Roll, reached number two in the singles chart. They went on to have a further 22 UK hits most being with covers of 50’s and early 60’s songs including: - Three Steps to Heaven; Heartbeat; When; Blue Moon and Pretty Little Angel Eyes. The group achieved ten top ten singles, but only had one No. 1, Under the Moon of Love, which spent 209 weeks in the UK Singles Chart and sold 985,000 copies.
On Sunday (29 August) Signed, Sealed & Delivered will deliver the final performance of this year’s Festival. Direct from London’s West End, the seven singers will truly do justice to the phenomenon that is soul. Backed by an eight piece band they’ll perform hits such as Reach Out, I’ll Be There; Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone; Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and of course the fabulous Signed Sealed and Delivered, reminding music lovers of great soul sensations like Stevie Wonder!
Delighted to have been involved in the organisation of this year’s event is Councillor Justin Henshaw who said, “We’ve got some great, new and exciting bands lined up for this years Waterfront Festival and we hope that everyone will come along and enjoy the fabulous FREE entertainment on offer. As well as the new bands, we are delighted to have secured the services of some great top names, artists associated with the sounds of the 60’s and 70’s whose music is timeless and appeals to all ages. Don’t forget to come along and join in the fun!”
Music starts at 6pm on Friday and from 1pm on Saturday and Sunday. Programmes can be picked up from the Town Hall, Library, TIC etc or full details can be found on the website at www.gosportwaterfrontfestival.co.uk
