The music comes alive at Bingley festival (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

The music comes alive at Bingley festival

12:57am Monday 7th September 2009

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Bingley Music Live rolled out top-class entertainment at a packed Myrtle Park – in front of 15,000 sell-out crowds on both Saturday and Sunday.

And the high-profile bill last night boasted man-of-the-moment, Scotsman Calvin Harris.

Punters had to wait for the closing night of the three-day music spectacular, which started on Friday, to witness 25-year-old Harris, real-name Adam Wiles, lay down his beats. But there were plenty of other notable performers who enthused the crowd.

Veteran rock ‘n’ rollers Ocean Colour Scene gradually stirred a mixed audience into full voice with a well appreciated kicking out of classic hit The Day We Caught The Train – a wry smile creeping across the face of frontman Simon Fowler as he sensed the crowd was on board.

As the sun set over the tree line, leaving it beautifully silhouetted behind the armadillo-shaped stage, The Zutons picked up where OCS left off.

Renditions of Valerie, cruelly done to better-selling effect by Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson, Why Won’t You Give Me Love and the jazzy Zuton Fever – not to mention the mesmerising, hip shaking of slinky red dress wearing saxophonist Abi Harding – induced sporadic, multi-coloured, welly-bouncing behaviour by thousands in the audience.

Doves continued their return to the music scene after a four-year hiatus with an atmospheric set to cap off a brilliant second day. The park was plunged into darkness except for the changing barcode-like lighting emitting from behind the Manchester trio.

Lead vocalist and bassist Jimi Goodwin doesn’t look much like a singer, but he delivered some anthemic numbers.

But it was Calvin Harris who stole the show on Sunday. Notoriously reserved off stage, the gangly framed Scot with the exceedingly large hands cut an Edward Scissorhands-like figure. “We’re not here to chat, we’re here to dance!” he announced to a rapturous roar.

His was a stand out presence which followed the cheeky North East indie-poppers The Futureheads. In between, The Reverend and the Makers kicked off the night’s crowd surfing, Heavyweight Champion of the World going down a treat. Frontman ‘The Reverend’ Jon McClure even jumped into the crowd at the end of the band’s performance for an impromptu strum and sing-a-long, sending fans reaching for their mobile phones to capture the moment.

The weekend was capped off with the electronic/indie warbling tones of headliners Editors.

Phil Barker, assistant director for leisure services at Bradford Council, said the event had been a massive success after the capacity was increased from last year’s 6,500.

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