Big names sought for music festival

UNSIGNED bands from across East Anglia could be sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in the music industry next summer – if an aspiring music promoter gets his wish.

Chris Anson is planning a huge festival to be held at the Bentwaters Air Base site, near Woodbridge, in July.

And he would like to attract huge names with strong local links to headline the Great Eastern Music Festival – including Blur, from Colchester, and Busted, whose member Charlie Simpson comes from Woodbridge.

Mr Anson, who formed an organisation called Feast of the East to highlight the talents of local bands, plans to showcase up to 20 unsigned groups over the three-day festival.

"Original bands just don't get a fair deal round here because everyone wants to hear covers, so creativity goes out the window," said Mr Anson, who is based in Great Yarmouth.

"I see this festival as an ideal way to show off some of our best local bands and give them exposure at the highest possible level.

"I think music in this area is booming. There are so many great bands – but no-one is taking any notice of them.

"That is something I want to change."

Mr Anson is waiting to hear from the teams behind the big name stars, but is hopeful of securing as many as possible.

He added: "It would be great to have a real top name to headline the gig. Blur, for example, are a class act, they have been the top East Anglian band for more than a decade, and they persistently create music of the highest quality.

"I think the festival is going to be great for the area. We've already had 50 tapes sent in from unsigned bands.

"It's creating a lot of excitement in East Anglia and it should do – it's about time we had something like this to look forward to."

If you want to get involved in the festival, send a demo in to Mr Anson at Feast of the East, PO Box XC1163, 8 Bevan Street, Great Yarmouth, NR32 2AA, by December 31.

You can also reach him by e-mailing fotefestival@hotmail.com, or calling 01493 443639.