Published at 11:24, Monday, 20 August 2012

LIVE music lovers turned out in force to enjoy a one-of-a-kind event aimed at bringing the festival scene to Barrow.

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The Barrow Raiders Music Fest was held at Craven Park on Saturday, and proved to be a roaring success, with crowds of people turning out to show their support for the best local bands and acoustic acts.

Some lovely late afternoon weather set the perfect scene over a sun-kissed stage, as visitors set up camp in front of a performance area specially set up in the middle of the pitch.

Walney teenager, Lauren Manley, was one of the first out on the terraces. The 19-year-old said: “I’ve been looking for live music events in Barrow for quite a while and a lot of places don’t seem to be doing it anymore, so I jumped at the chance to come.”

Easing the audience into the event perfectly were the day’s acoustic acts, playing relaxed and laid-back sets which provided the perfect pairing with the warm summer evening.

Jade Connolly performed hits including Gotye’s Somebody That I used to Know, Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black and Damien Rice’s Nine Crimes.

She was followed on stage by Jamie Bosanko, who closed his set with the Goo Goo Dolls’ Iris.

Charlotte Morgan was another watching from the terraces.

The 24-year-old Roose resident said: “The performers have all been really good – I’m not familiar with most of them so it’s nice to sit here and listen to some new stuff while having a beer and a catch-up with my friends.

“I spend a lot of the summer at festivals and I like live music so I thought this would be something nice and different to do.

“I hope people get behind it and we’ll get to see more things like this happen in Barrow.”

More familiar with the faces and names taking to the stage was Andy Brewerton.

The 47-year-old, of Barrow, said: “I love live local music.

“Some of my youngest son’s friends are in some of the bands and others I know from seeing them at pubs and clubs in the town.

“I think there’s an awful lot of talent in Barrow, and it’s just nice to come and listen to great music on a nice balmy Saturday afternoon.”

As the evening got into full swing and the light faded, it was time for the bands to pick up the tempo, setting the stage for Barrow-based five-piece, Atlas, who headlined the one-day festival.

The event, which raised funds for the Alice’s Escapes charity, was organised by avid music fan and Barrow Raiders director, Andy Gaffney.

He said the festival had pulled in between 300 and 400 people, and was such a success it would become an annual occasion.

He added: “Everybody said what a good time they’d had and said they’d definitely be coming back next year.”

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk