The Acoustic Stage

Sponsored by Inspired Spaces a Carillion Company

New for Splendid Weekend 2011, the Acoustic Stage will feature a range of performances from Tameside musicians, from orchestras to single artistes - something for everyone!

Liam Blake

12noon

Liam has been writing songs in the pop-folk tradition since he was 17. At the core of his album You And Other Stories is a deep sense of romance, not through sentiment but as articulate, intelligent, bitter-sweet story-telling. He is a skilled songwriter with real sophistication and these are proper pop songs, laden with hooks and refrains that make them compelling and timeless.

Michelle Holding

12.30pm

Michelle Holding sings songs that she believes in with honesty and passion as she strives to keep traditional music alive today. A singer/songwriter, Michelle performs a varied mix of traditional, contemporary and self-penned songs from the English and American tradition; performing with her guitar or unaccompanied, all woven together with her gently humorous storytelling.

Patchwork

1pm

“Patchwork” is a local duo consisting of Bill Hackwell and Paul Fernley.

They sing and play several instruments including guitar, banjo, tenor recorder and tin whistles, and have been providing musical entertainment at various venues for over 30 years, including, in June 2009, an hour long concert in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, near Versailles.

They perform good sing-along songs from a wide variety of musical styles including pop, folk, country and songs from the shows.

The Volantes

1.30pm

Welcome, local band The Volantes! A stripped down/acoustic version of the group with Michael Stewart on Vocals and Pete Lowrey on Guitar. They have recently won the Hard Rock Café/Rock Radio Battle of the Bands competition earlier this year and performed at the Run to the Sun festival, as well as local venues around Manchester. The band will be releasing a full 10 track album this summer. Today The Volantes will be playing a mix of cover and original songs.

Steve Lowe & BOX

2pm

Steve Lowe and BOX are a popular upbeat guitar combo from Tameside. All accomplished musicians in their own right, they have come together to produce their unique mix of musical wizardry which overlaps various genres and is guaranteed to have feet and fingers tapping.

Dylan Marsh

2.30pm

Dylan uses the guitar as his tool for making music, his true identity is that of a songwriter. His lyrics are generally quite soul-searching, and the music could be described as easy-on-the-ears, although he feels that such a description may be downplaying it slightly.

He combines a mixture of folk guitar-playing and a voice influenced by blues and soul to produce 3-4 minute pop songs that take themselves seriously without being too intense. His experience as an actor also comes in handy when it comes to audience banter, something that his shows tend to be full of.

Godley Hall Players

3pm

Godley Hall Players is a recently formed acoustic group of singers.

The group meets every Monday at The Godley Hall Inn in Godley, Hyde.

The pub is situated near to the old Walls Meat and Sausage factory and was once a house which was converted to a pub for later usage. It is a Grade II listed building. The players are all local people and of diverse ages and skill levels and the music is a mix of original, cover and folk songs.

Blackshaw

3.30pm

Through a chance conversation between two old school mates that date back from an era of mix tapes and tank tops, the idea of a new band came about. Blackshaw arrived in the summer of 2010 and quickly found its feet. A band that portrays heartfelt, popular and upbeat songs in its own distinct style due to the experienced band members and immense song writing talent of Phil Hibbert. They will leave you happy, they will leave you dancing!

Phil and Friends

4.00pm

Phil Middleton is one of Tameside’s most respected and accomplished musicians whose charismatic performances are always compelling and greatly appreciated by every audience. Phil will be appearing with some of his friends from around the region to provide half an hour of fabulous entertainment that should be to the liking of everyone and is certainly a ‘don’t miss’ for those who appreciate good music performed by talented musicians.

Performances conclude at 4.30pm.