Even though Saturday was a miserable weather day, the Live Music Festival still took to the stage with enthusiasm.
Infinity Dance Company kicked off the event with a superb display of dance from youngsters of all ages. IDC have a great repertoire of dance music genres and the look on the dancers’ faces showed how much they enjoyed it.
The live music acts for the Saturday afternoon sessions who braved the weather were all very professional with their performances and included Casandra’s Dua Lipa Tribute, Harris Tweed’s Mystery Machine, Amy Stevens, Hollywood Boredom, Anthony Fish and Call of the Wild.
The headline singer for Saturday was Amelia Lily, X-Factor finalist, with three top 40 chart hits. Amelia took to the stage just as the rain started to get even heavier, the audience took shelter under the canopies and applauded her amazing performance.
The forecast for Sunday was much better and from early on the crowds started to gather.
Aycliffe Dance Academy started the Sunday activities followed by Copper Beach, Whiskey Haze, Samantha’s Shania Twain tribute, Four Letter Word and Chris Mardula.
Sunday’s headline act was Dene Michael from legendary 80’s party band ‘Black Lace’. Dene and his partner for the day, Jeni Jay, performed two 45-minute sets, the first a tribute to Kylie and Elvis. But it really got lively on the second set, which included Black Lace party hits such as Agadoo, Superman, Conga, Penny Arcade, Music Man and many more.
A chance occurred for a few of the talented Aycliffe Radio presenters to cover for an act which could not attend at the last minute, so due a special mention are Ellarae who sang four tracks solo and to CAD and Amy who duetted on “Shallow”.
The Aycliffe Radio team pulled together a fantastic weekend of free entertainment thanks to Aycliffe Town Centre Manager Bryan Haldane and Great Aycliffe Town Council.
Thanks should also be given to those who came along to give support, entertain and refresh – but the biggest thank you should go to the residents of Newton Aycliffe for supporting the event, which gives the organisers the encouragement to continue next year.
Plans are already in place for next year’s festival – watch Newton News and listen to Aycliffe Radio for more details on this and many other events being organised for you in the town.
Photos courtesy of official event photographer Christography, see Aycliffe Radio website for more photos.
