Music by the Sea returns to Aldeburgh sea-front this weekend, awash with the very best songs from the last 50 years. Entertainment writer Wayne Savage found out more.
Aldeburgh’s answer to Noel Gallagher, Music by the Sea co-organiser Peter Osborne himself, will be strapping on his acoustic guitar to perform at this year’s seafront spectacular.
“I’ve never played to thousands of people before admittedly, but it’ll be fun,” he laughs as we discuss the line-up.
Previous events have focused on the 1960s and soul. This year’s theme, Music Through the Decades, showcases some of the best music from the last 50 years.
Starting in the Noughties, the show will run backwards through the 1990s, 1980s and 1970s before finishing with some great music from the 1960s.
“With this theme, we firstly had to decide which decades to feature, so we decided to go back only as far as the 1960s. We felt this was probably the most influential decade and the best to get an audience up dancing and enjoying themselves,” says an excited Osborne, general manager of the White Lion and its sister hotel the Brudenell in Aldeburgh.
MIKE PENDER’S SEARCHERS, regarded as the second most popular 1960s band after The Beatles, are headlining the evening. The Abbababes will sing songs by Abba, with Kevin Dean performing some of The Shadows’ greatest hits. The Ultimate Everlys return and there will be music from The Austin Beats featuring the music of The Beatles, The Kinks and The Rolling Stones.
Read my interview with him here.
For the first time, dancers from Mirage Productions will perform routines throughout the evening. They will be joined by four-piece vocal group Troubadour and Monique featuring her tributes to Lady Gaga and Kylie Minogue.
Ipswich singer and star of BBC1’s The Voice Jade Mayjean Peters will also perform. No concert celebrating the best music from the past five decades - certainly not one held on America’s Independence Day - would be complete without a tribute to Elvis Presley. Billy Lambert will give the music of The King his own special spin.
“It’s impossible to feature music from every major artist in the time span available to us, but we think you’ll hear many of your favourites,” adds Osborne.
“Please get involved, sing-along with the acts and help us to build a great atmosphere throughout the evening, ready to party to the fabulous music from one of the real stars of the 60s when MIKE PENDER’S SEARCHERS take the stage.”
Helping to keep you on your feet and dancing will be champagne and beer marquees plus barbecue and food outlets.
Other attractions include an air show by The RV8tors in their remarkably fast aerobatic aircraft with powerful smoke systems, with a firework display bringing the night to a close.
“There’s a lot of stuff that isn’t listed happening too, a lot of little surprises along the way,” adds Osborne, who organises the event with Barry Dye of Barry Dye Entertainments.
“I’m surprised the event has taken off so quickly. Proms worked because it was the jubilee, the 1960s fit because it was the right age group, soul was a little bit different, a bit more specific but that worked and you think ‘crikey, people are really enjoying these free concerts... There’s plenty of free parking, bring a picnic, you can enjoy it no matter the weather.”
Music by the Sea is sponsored by the TA Hotel Collection, East of England Co-op, Direct Seafoods, Aldeburgh Fish and Chip Shop, Fuller Davies, Shorthose Russell, EDF, Suffolk New College, MR King and Suffolk Secrets.
It’s hoped some £10,000 will be raised for local charities including The Beach, Help an East Coast Child and Town 102 Kids Trust.
“Suffolk Coastal Council and Suffolk County Council are fantastic, really supportive. What’s great is that all the town’s businesses get behind it too. The plan is to grow (into a two-day festival). We almost did it this year, but it was just one step too far. Next year we hope to go to two stages and see how it goes from there really.”
Music by the Sea: Music Through the Decades, starts at 4.30pm outside the White Lion Hotel, Aldeburgh. For more details visit www.musicbythesea.co.uk
Read my interview with Mike Pender here.
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