GOLDEN Square Shopping Centre has unveiled a tribute to Warrington band Viola Beach and their manager Craig Tarry, marking 10 years since their passing.
The installation in the Old Market Square takes the form of a “V” made from rainbow umbrellas. It has been created as a respectful, uplifting homage to the band, honouring the memory of Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe, Jack Dakin and Craig Tarry, and recognising the lasting impact they have had on the town and on music fans far beyond Warrington.
The tribute is in place now ahead of Friday, 13 February to coincide with the anniversary.
Ian Cox, Centre Director at Golden Square, said: “Viola Beach will always be part of Warrington’s story. Ten years on, their music and their spirit still mean so much to so many people. We wanted to create something visible in the Old Market Square where the band played, that feels thoughtful and hopeful, a simple tribute that honours Kris, River, Tomas, Jack and Craig, and gives people a moment to pause, reflect, and remember. The rainbow umbrellas felt like the right way to do that: bright, uplifting, and impossible to miss and an obvious nod to their most iconic photo.”
Old Market Square remains a key community space for the town, hosting a programme of events throughout the year. Golden Square hopes the tribute will remain in place for visitors to see as the venue comes to life over the summer months with many music events.
While there has been no official event organised to commemorate the 10th anniversary, the Mayor of Warrington, Cllr. Mo Hussain will issue a statement tomorrow on social media channels, while it is also understood the band’s self-titled posthumous album, which reached number one, is set to be re-released next week.
Viola Beach band members Jack Dakin, River Reeves, Kris Leonard, Tom Lowe and their manager Craig Tarry sadly lost their lives while on their first overseas tour in Sweden on February 13th 2016.
The band had been due to play a homecoming gig at the venue on returning from their first European concert.
But they tragically died when their car plunged from a bridge in Södertälje, Sweden on February 13, 2016 – a tragedy that made headline news around the world.
An inquest in December 2016 said the exact facts of the tragedy might never be known, but all five young men died as a result of a road traffic collision.
The tragedy occurred after the band had performed at a music festival near Stockholm when they were returning to their hotel.
The tragedy captured the hearts of the nation as the band’s single Swings and Waterslides reached number 11 in the charts, followed by the band’s self-titled posthumous album reaching number one.
In 2016, Cold Play paid tribute to Viola Beach by performing a cover of their hit song “Boys That Sing.”
A plaque of the band and their manager is displayed on the town’s Parr Hall
