FINAL preparations are under way ahead of the Island’s biggest music festival returning to the People’s Park this weekend.
The Weekender Festival has made a slight change to its usual offering – with two standalone events on Friday and Saturday.
Friday night will see Blur bassist Alex James bring his Britpop Classical project to the Island, with the biggest songs of the 90s era performed by a 38-piece orchestra, with special guest performances expected from the likes of Ocean Colour Scene’s Simon Fowler and actor Phil Daniels, who famously provided the vocals for Blur’s hit Parklife,
On Saturday, the park will be transformed into a celebration of the 80s, with Matt Goss set to headline, with Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley, Nik Kershaw and Hue and Cry also featuring on the bill.
Organiser Warren Le Sueur said: “We’re really excited about this weekend because we’re essentially bringing two completely different live music events to Jersey over two days, all in the heart of St Helier.
“Friday’s Britpop Classical is something really different for the Island, with Blur’s Alex James, a full live orchestra and band playing the biggest anthems from the Britpop era, before the whole feel changes again on Saturday for Let’s Rock, with an incredible 80s inspired line-up including Matt Goss, Tony Hadley, Nik Kershaw, Hue & Cry and The Christians, alongside local legends Jersey Bounce.”
The staging was delivered to the Park earlier this week, with the construction of the site taking place today and tomorrow.
Mr Le Sueur added: “People’s Park is such an important and iconic event space for Jersey and there’s something special about seeing it transformed for a big weekend of live music.
“We wanted to create two events with really different identities, giving people a proper reason to come into town, spend the day together and enjoy major live acts right in the centre of the Island.
“A huge amount of work goes into bringing shows of this scale to Jersey, so to see both events coming together at People’s Park this weekend is something the whole team is really proud of, and we can’t wait to see the park full of life on Friday and Saturday.”
More information is available at weekender.je.
