Festival draws top names (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Festival draws top names

6:30pm Saturday 4th April 2009 in News By Clive White

Goldie Lookin’ Chain

Legendary rock band The Animals are to headline a new music festival aiming to be the biggest in the region.

Up to 100 acts are expected to descend on Keighley for the Keighley Krawl on Sunday, June 7.

Also taking to the stage will be controversial Welsh rappers Goldie Lookin’ Chain, whose songs include Guns Don’t Kill People, Rappers Do. Joining them will be leading indie band Inspiral Carpets.

The folk scene will be represented by Martha Tilson, daughter of Steve Tilson and Maggie Boyle of Keighley.

The driving force behind the non-profit making festival is musician Marie Watmough, of Keighley Musicians Centre, and her partner Jym Harris. They have won backing from Keighley Town Council – underwriting the £23,000 cost by £5,000 – and the area panel is to consider offering support at its meeting on Wednesday.

“This is a serious festival which is already turning heads. We already have some big names,” said Miss Watmough. “We have held battles of the band which have been very successful and we wanted to take it to a higher level.”

Mr Harris said: “We hope eventually it will be as big as the Colne Blues Festival, but with a broader musical field from jazz to heavy metal.”

Keighley Town Councillor Tony Wright said it was expected the festival would give a boost to the local economy and encourage traders to take advantage of the crowds expected in town.

The Keighley Krawl will be staged in five major venues – Victoria Hall, Victoria Hotel, Cricketers Arms yard, the New Variety Club and St Anne’s Catholic Social Club – from 1pm to 11pm. There will be fringe events in pubs and clubs at the same time as the major venues. And Keighley Bus Museum has promised a free bus to ferry people between locations.

Tickets for the main event at Victoria Hall are £10, which includes entrance to the other venues, and £5 for all except Victoria Hall.

They are available in the next few days by telephoning the Musicians Centres on (01535) 603136, (01274) 739754 and (01422) 846655 or on the website keighleykrawl.com.