A CHART-TOPPING musician from the 1990s will headline at the inaugural Battle of Flowers Sunday concert, it has been announced.
Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow is due to perform as part of a greatest-hits tour. Many will know the band from its hit, Love is All Around, a cover of which appeared in the Richard Curtis 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral.
The song spent 15 weeks at number one in the UK charts, the third-longest reign in chart history.
Pellow said he was “absolutely thrilled” to be part of the event to “celebrate music, culture, and the spirit of the Battle of Flowers festival”.
The musician will perform on the last day of the festival (11 August) in the Lower Park in a collaboration with Jersey Opera House.
Meanwhile, Eurovision star Sam Ryder, who won over the continent’s audiences in 2022 with his song Space Man, is to perform on Friday.
Originally from Clydebank, near Glasgow, Pellow started his career with Wet Wet Wet and stayed with the band throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and during their noughties reformation. He has also appeared in West End and Broadway musicals including Chicago, Evita and Chess, and released 11 solo albums.
Pellow said: “It’s truly an honour to be part of such a wonderful event that carries so much heritage. I can’t wait to immerse myself in the festivities and share some unforgettable moments with everyone there.
“The energy, the colours, the atmosphere – let’s turn Jersey into one big party and make memories that will last a lifetime.”
Andy Eagle, theatre director for the Jersey Opera House, said the concert reflected his organisation’s “commitment to providing exceptional entertainment experiences for our community”.
He added: “We can’t wait to see Marti light up the stage.”
This year’s Battle has been described as the first in a generation to see all 12 parishes represented – with a new Northern Parishes Association taking over following dwindling participation.
Tickets for all concerts are available from Friday 17 May on the Jersey Opera House website, with an early-bird discount available for a limited time.
Tickets for the Pellow concert are separate from Battle of Flowers tickets – which can be bought online at battleofflowers.com.
The event takes place between 9 and 11 August.
