Bingley Music Live raises its 'Status' in front of sell-out crowds - Gallery and video (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bingley Music Live raises its 'Status' in front of sell-out crowds - Gallery and video

12:23am Monday 5th September 2011 in Bradford By Marc Meneaud, Aire Valley Chief Reporter

Thousands of revellers basked in glorious sunshine as Bingley Music Live drew to a close last night.

A crowd of up to 16,000 people brushed away the cobwebs of the previous two nights to enjoy a sold-out show featuring headline acts including Chase and Status, The Coral and Eliza Doolittle at the Myrtle Park finale, securing the festival’s growing reputation. A spectacular fireworks display marked the end of headliners Chase and Status’s final tour date of the summer. The band, playing for the first time at Bingley, repeatedly hailed the Yorkshire audience – and their enthusiasm was returned by a sea of fans in front of the stage.

Mercury Music Prize nominated Liverpudlians, The Coral, followed in the footsteps of their idols, The Beatles with a cover of Ticket to Ride – drawing cheers from the audience – alongside their previous hits such as Dreaming of You.

But the young fans were eager to collect London-born singer Eliza Doolittle’s autograph as she chatted to her admirers following her performance of songs including Skinny Genes, Pack Up and Rollerblades.

One fan Lucy Hird, 32, of Harrogate, said: “Eliza was great. She brought a ray of sunshine to the Bingley Festival with her summer anthems.”

Earlier in the day, Geek and King Headlock had warmed up the crowd before Daley, a neo-soul singer-songwriter from Manchester – with an unmistakable shock of curly, ginger hair – performed his signature track “rainy day”.

On the back of his performance, Eliza Doolittle, Tweeted: “Daley giving me the tingles”

Next was British rapper Germaine Scott, better known as Wretch 32, who took the stage as the crowd got to their feet. Then the heavens opened – families took shelter under umbrellas and festival-goers flipped up their hoodies. But the sudden shower failed to dampen the spirits of the thousands who swarmed into Myrtle Park to see Stereo MCs.

Nick Hallam, lead singer, proved the nineties legends have not lost their edge, blasting through Connected and Step It Up, the electronic anthems with which they made their name.

Jamie Scarborough, of Hunslet, Leeds, said: “I thought they absolutely rocked it. They were right up there with (Saturday’s headliners) Maximo Park. They were the best thing I’ve seen all weekend.

“They’ve still got it,” he added.

His friend, Jez Barnett, who had been celebrating his 33rd birthday at the festival, said: “I’ve been coming here for the past three years and it gets better every time. It is a really good line-up this year, with a great crowd.”