Rivfest is back for its 3rd Year and opened with a magnificent showcase of superb, upcoming Indie band talent at the Parr Hall, Friday.
Teaming up with Manchester based Scruff of the Neck the River Reeves Foundation introduced Indie bands the Bohos, Kula Bay, and No Hot Ashes who banged out some of their best numbers. The show was brought to a stunning crescendo by Leigh 4 piece band the Lottery Winners who produced an effervescent performance for the appreciative 400 plus crowd.
For the first time the event will take place across 2 days in multiple venues around Warrington’s Cultural Quarter. With over 50 bands performing throughout the town at The Parr Hall, Friars Court, The Lounge, The Old Town House, The Volstead, The Auction Rooms, Hop Co, Hernandos Hideaway and 9 Gallon, Warrington is going to be bouncing all day long. The full list of bands can be seen below.
Rivfest is a truly family friendly festival. At the heart of the festival outside the Parr Hall is The “Viola Beach Garden Party – Pop Up Family Zone” in Queens Gardens. A huge variety of stalls, crafts, activities and entertainments especially for families and children including live music and storytelling.
Under 16s are welcome at the Parr Hall if accompanied by an adult. The Acoustic Cafe is an all ages venue. Some age restrictions may be in place at other venues due to individual licensing restrictions. Full guidance on age restrictions at Rivfest Main stages will be available at www.riverreevesfoundation.org
The weekend, organised by the River Reeves Foundation was set up in memory of the Viola Beach guitarist River Reeves and his band mates Kristian Leonard, Jack Daikin and Tomas Lowe along with their manager Craig Tarry who all tragically died whilst on tour in 2016.
Viola Beach were a local band with the world at their feet, already receiving a huge amount of attention from a loyal following and the BBC in the form of a Maida Vale BBC Introducing session and Radio 1 playlistings – an astonishing feat for a band so early in their promising career.
Rivfest exists to provide a platform for emerging artists and to provide support for talented young musicians looking to take the first steps in their own musical and artistic careers. Each year the River Reeves Charitable foundation awards scholarships of up to £500 to enable struggling or disadvantaged young artists to “create alternate futures”, a phrase coined by Coldplay’s Chris Martin during their 2016 Glastonbury headline set which paid tribute to Viola Beach.
Proceeds from Rivfest 18 will go to the “Future in Mind” bus project in partnership with Arriva North-West, providing mental health support in local schools.
Some tickets for what should be a memorable day are still available from the Parr Hall box office.
