First published in the Southern Daily Echo, Friday 2nd July 2010
The biggest opportunity for local unsigned bands to pick up a healthy dose of festival fever is the 4th Eastleigh Music Festival and Mela from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th July.
During Saturday afternoon there will be two stages featuring some of the brightest talent around and regular readers of South Scene are bound to recognise Dluogkecki, Scarlet Soho, Charlie McCauley, Broken Links, The Queue and The Rebs.
Add to them Ben Goddard, Cat Nickless, Chris Ricketts & Mark Willshire, JayetAl, Kumiss, The LCD, Martin Crowley, Natalie Hall and Spitdust and you have a great mix of music and all for free!
Along with bringing people into Eastleigh, and aiding the regeneration of the town, festival co-ordinator Marie Negus says the weekend is, “a great opportunity to nurture new talent” and gives “unsigned bands inspiration and belief.”
The inspiration will come from Saturday night’s headlining act is Badly Drawn Boy.
His quintessential approach to English pop is deal for a sultry summer’s evening and proof that ‘different’ can succeed.
Your evening ticket will also get you in to see indie-rock band Field Music, punk-rockabilly-folk duo Peggy Sue and the latest Sotones signing Haunted Stereo who are an alternative-folk-indie six-piece from Southampton.
On Friday night Cara Dillon headlines an eclectic folk line-up with support from Lau, nu-folk artist Jim Moray and local band Bemis.
The weekend is rounded off with the Eastleigh Mela so there should be no excuse for making a short trip north.
More details and tickets www.eastleighmusicfestival.co.uk
