3rd June
Riverside Festival 2017
Celebrating its twentieth year, Leicester’s Riverside festival took place over the weekend, 3rd and 4th June. As in previous years, a main stage and an acoustic stage provided people with a variety of music. Large crowds of people took advantage of the fine weather and filled Bede Park, Western Boulevard and the sides of the River Soar. Both music stages presented local bands and artists showcasing Leicester’s musical talent to the general public.
Main stage
The music on the main stage started the programme on Saturday with performances by the De Montfort University music collective. A variety of bands and artists performed during a one and half hour slot.
The stage shows were compèred by Alex T Smith, one-time lead singer of Leicester band de Sade.
Singer Joe Doyle (a.k.a. Homeless Shakespeare) delivered an entertaining set.
A rousing solo performance was given by Tom Iliffe the lead singer of the Jav’lins band.
Today’s main stage headline band was Goldwater. Musicians in this band have been seen before in the Dirty Backbeats, Ego Armalade, Moonlights and the Platforms.
This was a set that drew large numbers of people, eager to see a band that does not appear very often in their home town.
Acoustic stage
On Saturday acts appearing on the acoustic stage were introduced by Kevin Hewick.
The first act to perform was Fiona and Frank.
James Cull sang some of his own songs and some covers in a performance that was well received and appreciated by the growing audience.
By one o’clock Bede Park was already thronged with people. The annual event has over the years attracted people in very large numbers. Many previous years have been blessed with fine weather and this has resulted in the free festival being a magnate for families and groups of friends.
One of Leicester’s most widely renown artists, Kevin Hewick performed a set of his own songs.
It was to see Michael Vickers again. An artist with a long track record in Leicester’s music scene, Michael has appeared on the stages of many previous Riverside events.
The Riverside festival programme continued on Sunday with David Wyatt band headlining the main stage.
Looking back over previous reports on the Leicester Riverside festival, here are some selected pictures to jog your memory:
Photo: RhinoFeroSs photography
See also:
Our report on the Glastonbudget festival
