Blast Arts 2008

After a sensational two years of turning Peasholm Park into a nirvana of music, Acoustic Gathering III is approaching, with an exciting barrel of changes.

The pagoda at Peasholm Park

The initial aim was local musicians joining in unison with crowds of music lovers, at the faux-oriental setting of Peasholm Park in Scarborough. The success of the previous two festivals has been phenomenal. This year it will be held on Sunday 14th September 2008, with new acts from all over the country.

Organiser Steve Dickinson says, "The good thing about Acoustic Gathering is that it can’t get too big because the park only has a capacity of 2000. That way we can keep it small, on a more local intimate level."

The line up has been completely revamped and we will see 22 of the best talent locally and nationally. Steve said, "We’ve brought in a new policy where no one that has played before will be playing this year. There are more bands as apposed to one or two guys with a guitar. It makes it more exciting and it should be a lot livelier."

Local acts to perform on the main stage are Stony, The Acoustic Project and Luke Keegan. There will be a family activity area featuring a special edition of Tiny Time Tales, which has been gathering a huge fan base at the Stephen Joseph Theatre this summer. Also, East Coast Tigers Cheerleading squad will be throwing some of their breathtaking stunts around the park.

Headliners 3 Daft Monkeys

Steve said, "There’s a great set of headliners with Alistair Griffin from Fame Academy and Toby Jepson, who will be doing some Little Angels tracks. 3 Daft Monkeys are probably one of the best festival bands in the country with a stunning combination of banjos, fiddles and a foot drum."

"We’ve got a more electric mix this year including a flamenco artist Mark Boden, the groove mister of the blues himself Adrian Byron Burns, an Irish trio Johnny Jump Up and country and western act Edwina Hayes."

Bring the whole family to enjoy a musical picnic whilst watching dragon boats swim by the beautiful lakeside setting. It is a relaxing day out, which will surely end with everyone dancing under the dazzling illuminations of the Chinese pagoda. What a perfect way to end the summer.

Nadia Emam