5th June 2014

Music at Riverside Festival

THE CREAM of local music will be taking centre stage at this weekend’s annual Riverside Festival.

The two-day free festival of fun and activities for all ages takes place on Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, along the River Soar’s Mile Straight and on neighbouring Bede Park, and is one of the city’s biggest free events attracting thousands of visitors.

Musicians from across the city will be performing on the festival’s main stage throughout the weekend, including the winners and runners-up from this year’s Leicester Original Bands Showcase.

Winners electro-pop trio Tapestry and runners-up Beneath the Lights will perform in front of the festival crowds.

Saturday also features soul and Motown headliners Johnny and the Goodtime Boys, who will play from 6pm on the, highly-rated duo Mia and the Moon playing songs from their forthcoming album, and classic blues from Stu Crown and the Bobcats. Students from Gateway College will also perform a rock and pop showcase.

Sunday’s entertainment includes gentle lunchtime jazz from the Speakeasy Jazz Band, samba group Sambando and a World Cup-themed finale including latin grooves from the Tony Webster Band.

The ever-popular Sing for Water charity choir will also perform at 2pm alongside a steel pans performance from pupils of Shaftsbury Junior School.

The Riverside Festival features boat trips on the River Soar, activities for children including fantastic street performers and storytelling, and an eco village which is home to a giant tipi, drumming workshops, environmental-themed activities and carpentry workshops.

There will also be an arts street market, Ride Leicester’s BMX demonstrations, bike fixing sessions and a bike park.

A range of environmental-themed activities will return to nearby Castle Gardens, including a variety art and crafts workshops, woodland skills and a pets corner.

The event is run by Leicester City Council, with festival sponsors housing association Riverside, which is based on Western Boulevard.

Events run from 12noon to 7pm on the Saturday, and from 12noon to 5pm on the Sunday.

For full details visit: www.visitleicester.info/riversidefestival

[source: Leicester City Council]

More about local festivals

For latest news and information about music festivals, see Music in Leicester website.

Find out more about music at the Riverside festival from Music in Leicester.

For general information see Go Leicestershire website.