BBC Biggest weekend
Bank Holiday saw the BBC Biggest Weekend arrive in Coventry, a further endorsement of Coventry as a host city.
It had enough big names to make it a special event and one that became the hottest ticket in town, even before the full line up was announced.
So on the day, the BBC basically created four techno towns all over Britain. This is a huge venture to do once, but four times, the mind boggles.
On the day, The Stereophonics kicked it all off in rockin’ fashion. We knew if the rain stayed away, it would be a perfect day.
Coventry’s own Selecter were up next. Yes, I’m going to say they were superb, not because they are 2-Tone, but because these guys have every element nailed. They also mentioned the 2-Tone Village on national TV, thanks guys.
Jamie Cullen added some jazz glam to the day. Snow Patrol really got the Coventry audience going, and they were the stars of the show for that wonderfully emotive song “Run”, when the audience sang the “Light Up, Light Up” parts. It was shivers down the spine time.
Billy Ocean came on to something of a rain dance, but spirits were not dampened, as he went through his greatest hits, including ‘Red Light Spells Danger’ and ‘Caribbean Queen.
UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey refused photographers to the photo pit, but we joined in from afar.
Paloma Faith was just incredible, elegant on stage with her band all decked out in white, she won all our hearts with her incredibly soulful voice.
Then it was the time for Liam Gallagher, we expected swearing, football comments and lots of Oasis hits, and guess what, that’s exactly what we got.
It was Liam on stage, we had had a great day, and we didn’t care.
Thank you BBC, you did us proud.
See you soon Pete
Last Tuesday as part of the BBC Biggest Weekend Fringe, two Coventry musical legends (and Honorary Patrons of The Coventry Music Museum), Neville Staple and Pete Waterman OBE, took to the Albany theatre stage in a special Q &A.
I was flying home from holiday so I couldn’t make it, but the museum was well represented by our many volunteers on the night. One of which was Ruth Cattell (mother of Tracy Cattell of The Primitives).
She pointed out that Neville was a constant visitor to the museum, and asked the superstar producer Pete Waterman when he would make an appearance there.
After some verbal slalom, he eventually said that he would visit, and told us to get the kettle on.
The Host Sara Cox drew it to his attention that this session was being recorded, so he would have to keep to his word now.
Just to make his visit more enjoyable, we aim to induct him to The Coventry Music Wall of Fame based in the 2-Tone Village.
So see you soon Pete, the kettle is boiling.
