VIOLA Beach’s hometown will officially pay tribute to the band and their manager this weekend by putting on an all-day music event to celebrate their legacy.
Starsailor, along with 13 regional artists, will come together at Warrington’s Bank Park on Saturday (17 September) to pay tribute to the five local lads who tragically lost their lives while on tour in Sweden earlier this year.
The event, which is part of this year’s Warrington Festival, will also feature an exclusive video tribute to the band that has only been shown once before at the celebration gig at Parr Hall back in April.
The video features unseen footage of the band performing some of the tracks from their posthumous album, Viola Beach, which went to number one last month.
The families of Kris, River, Jack, Tom and Craig are supporting the event and say it will help provide a platform for other emerging talents.
Ben Dunne, dad of River Reeves, said: “River and the band played at Warrington Festival last year and would be so proud to see how they’ve inspired many other local bands to perform on the same stage.”
Ian Piers Dakin, the father of Jack Dakin, added: “Jack, River, Tom, Kris and Craig were all very proud and honoured to play at last year’s festival, supporting Pixie Lott, in their hometown.
“It is an honour for all our family that this legacy has been put into place and they will be remembered by their music.”
Craig’s parents and sister, Sarah, concluded: “Craig was not only their manager but a dear friend to Viola Beach and he believed in their talent and enthusiasm.
“He was excited to put Warrington on the music map and he knew Viola Beach would do exactly that.
“Craig lived life the way that we all should, passionately and wholeheartedly and we are extremely proud of Craig and Viola Beach.”
The gig, which kicks off at 12pm, will include sets from Manchester indie four-piece, The Rainband who appeared at Glastonbury in June, PSYBLINGS, who played the Viola Beach celebration event with The Coral and Courteeners earlier this year, and Ellie Dibben who was a support act at last year’s Warrington Festival alongside Viola Beach.
Emma Hutchinson, chair of the Warrington Festival steering group, said: “This event is about giving local acts the chance to celebrate the legacy of Viola Beach by performing in their hometown.
“Having worked with the band at last year’s festival and at local venues in the town, we believe they were destined for big things and we’re really pleased to be able to provide a platform to celebrate their music.”
Full line-up
Starsailor
The Rainband
Delphina Kings
The Tamalas
Pacific
Joe Hatton
Weekend Wars
PSYBLINGS
The Tapestry
Five Days North
Conquer Rio
The Ambersons
Priestley
Ellie Dibben
Tickets are priced at just £10 each and are available from www.pyramidparrhall.com
