Top bands are set for festival

Buy photos » Stakeout’s Matt Hodgetts, Lee Jackson, Ben Gibbs and Alex Banes get warmed up for the Morton Stanley Festival. Picture by Marcus Mingins 3312021MMR

THE BEST Redditch’s music scene has to offer is set to be thrust into the spotlight this weekend at the Morton Stanley Festival.

As well as top bands from the borough the three day event will also see distinguished acts perform along with special performances to celebrate the Eid festival and the 50th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence.

At 1pm on Sunday one of the finest and most popular UK based Qawwali groups, Ustad Haji Ameer Khan and brothers, will be performing renditions of classical Qawwalis as well as other popular Sufi pieces. At 2pm on the same day, hugely successful and dynamic bhangra pop singer Tariq Khan will perform a selection of tracks from his numerous hit albums.

Then at 4pm talented local artists will bring the inspirational story of Jamaican history to life on stage through poetry, music and song in the show Work! Sound! Power! Artists include soulful reggae singers Skibu and Claire Angel, quickfire hip hop MCs Juice Aleem and Sic’Nis, virtuoso dub poet Dreadlock Alien, all backed by the Soundwave Band.

This evening (Friday) the borough’s best musical talent will be on show including Redditch band Stakeout which were chosen to support McFly at their gig at the O2 Birmingham Academy in April.

The rest of the weekend will see performances from renowned international musical groups such as the extraordinary Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers, the sensational Ska Cubano and the highly talented Jaipur Kawa Indian Brass Band. Tribute act Viva La Coldplay will close the festival on Sunday when they take to the stage from 5pm.

Coun Luke Stephens, responsible for leisure on Redditch Borough Council which is organising the three day event, said: “With the summer festival season in full swing, this year’s Morton Stanley Festival will be our biggest and best to date. We’re delighted to be showcasing the best local talent and treating residents to a truly international line-up across the weekend.”

The festival takes place from 6pm to 11pm today (Friday), 12pm to 11pm tomorrow (Saturday) and from 11am to 6pm on Sunday.

Visit www.redditchbc.gov.uk for the full line-up or for the latest updates follow the council on Twitter @RedditchMatters or search for #mortonstanleyfest.

Regional news »