THE final countdown is on to the inaugural Bingley Weekender and excitement is building.
This time last year, festival-goers were looking forward to Bingley Music Live (BML).
But the popular event was cancelled in April, causing outcry with adoring fans.
Since then, Glen Shaw - President of Bingley Rugby Club and SSD Concerts has stepped in to fill the void.
Proceedings get underway on Friday, August 31, and SSD Concerts Director and Promoter Steve Davis says preparations are going well.
He added: "We have been hard at work for a couple of months now after the surprise cancellation of BML.
"It’s a new site which will come with its challenges but we are excited to see how it comes together."
The festival itself takes place at Bradford & Bingley Rugby Club, as opposed to Myrtle Park of old.
DAY TICKETS
Day tickets for each of the three days are still available, and for you, you'll enter via Wagon Lane.
CAMPING
As is tradition, people will also be camping and this requires a separate entrance.
The campsite is accessed via Aire View Avenue and opens at 12pm on Thursday, August 29.
On Friday and Saturday it opens at 10am, but campers must be off the site by 12pm on Monday, September 2.
Camping tickets include free parking but there are some rules: no drugs, no glass, no fires or candles, no Chinese lanterns and no loud music.
WHAT NOT TO TAKE
You can take one small bag per person into the festival arena with the approximate dimensions of an A4 sheet - 15cm x 22cm. Larger bags are okay on the camp site. All bags will be searched on entry, and there's also a list of prohibited items for the festival itself.
Banned items are:
- Flares or fireworks
- Knives or weapons
- aerosols over 250ml
- Glass of any sort, including perfumes etc
- Flags, selfie sticks or poles of any sort
- Large or golf umbrellas
- Airhorns, megaphones or laser pens
- Bikes, skateboards or scooters
- Drones, paper lanterns or inflatables
- Camping chairs or inflatable chairs
WHAT'S ON STAGE
Despite being in its first year, the Bingley Weekender has a bumper roster of top class acts.
Mr Davis said: "It’s a new event with fresh aspirations, there are very few festivals with the line up of this Calibre in year one.
"Like everyone of our festivals it’s a new challenge and hopefully an event we can grow year on year.
"At 5,000 Capacity it will be an intimate show for both customers and artists with just a handful of tickets remaining I’d urge the local community to support it."
The main headliners on Friday and Saturday are Ocean Colour Scene and Doves who both take to the stage between 20:30 and 22:00 on their respective days.
On Sunday James comes on slightly earlier, playing a set from 19:30 until 21:00.
Keep an eye out for Bradford band Gauranga who will be playing their lively riff-based indie rock on the Discovery Stage between 17:15 and 17:45 on the first day.
Venus - an all-female band - are also worth checking out on the same day. They play a half-an-hour set between 16:45 and 17:15 on the New Music Stage.
Fancy a bit of funk and soul on your Saturday afternoon, while also getting to check out a TV star?
Get to the Main Stage then at 15:00 for an hour set from Craig Charles.
Stay put and half-an-hour later you'll be treated to the tones of rising indie act Marsicans.
Sunday is all about the big names.
Echo & The Bunnymen take to the Main Stage at 18:00 for an hour.
Just before that is Miles Kane who's on for 45 minutes between 16:45 and 17:30.
There's also the chance to see inspiration and determination in the flesh, still not difting from the Main Stage.
Between 13:15 and 13:45 King No-One will play their hearts out.
They began life as buskers, so will appreciate this more than most.
Liverpool band The Night Café play Bingley Weekender just a week after releasing their debut album "0151".
Drummer Carl Dillon said: "It doesn’t feel real.
"When people ask me about it, I’m a bit overwhelmed but once it hopefully gets a good reception, we might see things more clearly.
"My mum keeps asking me, ‘What shop is it going to be in?’"
If you want to listen to what they have to offer, then make sure to be at the Discovery Stage for 19:00.
HOW TO GET THERE AND BACK
Conveniently there's a free bus picking up outside Boots in Bingley.
Running times are between 16:00 and 23:00 on Friday, 12:00 and 23:00 on Saturday and 12:00 and 23:00 on Sunday.
All further details can be found at: bingleyweekender.co.uk
Have a great time!
TOP STORIES:
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here