Warrington four-piece Viola Beach confirm Warrington Festival appearance

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Warrington Festival

Indie pop newcomers Viola Beach will join 2014 X Factor finalist Jay James and country singer Ellie Dibben as support for Pixie Lott

Just when you thought Warrington Festival couldn't get any bigger, Festival Organisers have now announced a third support act, Viola Beach, for Pixie Lott’s headline slot on Saturday September 19 at Bank Park.

Viola Beach is comprised of Kris Leonard (vocals/guitar), Jack Dakin (drums), River Reeves (guitar) and Tomas Lowe (bass). The Warrington four-piece have just played their first gig at The Cavern Club in Liverpool and already secured impressive national airplay from Huw Stephens (Radio 1), Jo Good (XFM) and Steve Lamacq (6 Music) since being championed by Dave Monks on BBC Introducing Merseyside.

The band have recently announced the upcoming release of their debut single Swings and Waterslides. The track serves as the perfect introduction to the band’s sound and arrives ahead of their eagerly anticipated performances on the BBC Introducing stage at Reading & Leeds Festival later this month.

The band will be recording with Communion Records founder and producer Ian Grimble (Catfish & The Bottlemen/Rhodes/Mumford & Sons/Bear’s Den) next month with Swings & Waterslides providing a welcome taste of things to come with its simmering summer vibes sure to attract plenty of fanfare. Viola Beach’s Swings & Waterslides is released on Friday August 28 and will be available to purchase on iTunes and Spotify.

For further information, including the latest event confirmation, volunteering and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.warringtonfestival.org.

Kris Drever and Ian Carr come to Warrington as a duo for the first time

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Warrington Festival

Kris Drever and Ian Carr are two of the finest and most influential, in-demand acoustic guitarists in the world today.

The duo will fill Pyramid with guitar sounds on Sunday September 27 as part of this year’s Warrington Festival.

The exceptionally talented pair have collaborated in several other line-ups including collaborations with English folk singer Kate Rusby and Scotland’s remarkable Eddi Reader.

Touring as a duo for the first time, Kris Drever and Ian Carr’s show offers an opportunity to hear live material from Ian Carr’s recently released and highly acclaimed 2015 album “Who He?” alongside songs and tunes from Kris Drever’s much loved catalogue.

Kris Drever’s voice and guitar form part of the backbone of today’s contemporary roots scene. Widely admired as a solo artist, collaborator, and member of folk superstars Lau, he is a phenomenal and prolific artist who was voted as a Best Newcomer in BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. This show promises to be a spirited and infectious occasion that will live long in the memory.

Kris Drever (Lau) commented: “Ian Carr has managed to invent a whole new way of being a guitarist. Everyone pinches Ian's harmonies and techniques and rhythmic thinking. Also, he's really funny. Like, really really funny.”

For more information about the Warrington Festival, visit www.warringtonfestival.org.

Support confirmed for Pixie Lott’s Warrington Festival appearance

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Warrington Festival

Warrington Festival has just got bigger with 2014 X Factor finalist Jay James and country singer Ellie Dibben now confirmed as support for Pixie Lott’s headline slot on Saturday September 19 at Bank Park.

Jay James, described by Simon Cowell as a ‘genius’, captured the imagination of the country with his unique voice and stunning live performances as one of the standout contestants on The X Factor 2014.

Since his shock exit from the popular Saturday night show, Jay has dazzled audiences on The X Factor Live Tour, playing to more than 300,000 people across the biggest arenas and venues in the UK and Ireland. He has also performed to an electric crowd of 81,000 people at Twickenham Stadium and wowed the audience at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

As well as performing at the festival, Jay will also be doing a meet and greet with fans on the day.

Jay, a former Royal Navy fitness Instructor from South West Wales, commented: “I’m really looking forward to performing at Warrington Festival and meeting with my fans afterwards. I love meeting my fans! I really appreciate all their support and it’s a pleasure to be able to meet them in person.”

Also gracing the stage will be 17-year-old country singer Ellie Dibben. 2015 has already been a great year for local teenage songstress Ellie, making her debut appearance at Country2Country at The O2 and supporting well-known artists including Luke Friend, Elyar Fox and Union J.

Cheshire born guitar-playing singer-songwriter Ellie can’t wait to perform: “I’m thrilled to be part of the stellar line-up confirmed for Warrington Festival. I can’t wait to get out on that stage and perform in front of a great festival crowd this September.”

For further information including the latest event confirmation, volunteering and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.warringtonfestival.org.

Jimmy Carr to present Funny Business as part of Warrington Festival

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Warrington Festival

Funny Business is Jimmy Carr’s brand new stand up show. Rude and witty – Funny Business is not for the easily offended. Jimmy will present his show in Parr Hall as part of this year’s Warrington Festival.

Jimmy Carr is never off the telly (this year saw him host the third series of 10 O’Clock Live, the fifteenth series of 8 Out of 10 Cats and special episodes of Big Fat Quiz and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown). In fact, he’s been described as ‘the hardest working man in comedy’ but, let’s face facts, that’s not that impressive. It’s like being ‘the tallest dwarf’ or ‘the healthiest Glaswegian’.

Live comedy is what Jimmy does best. His stand-up achievements to date include a British Comedy Award for ‘Best Live Stand-Up Tour’ and a Perrier Award nomination. On stage, he’s even funnier and even more outrageous and Funny Business is his brand new stand-up show.

Over 1.5 million people have now seen Jimmy perform live and his new tour will see him play over 200 dates around the country between April 2014 and November 2015. With 4.7 million followers (at the last count) on Twitter, Jimmy Carr is one of the most popular comedians at work in the UK today. Funny Business is a chance to see Jimmy doing what he does best. This show is not suitable for under 16s.