Back for its fourth year running, York’s Apollo music festival is returning for another hectic day of headliners and high spirits.
The lengthy list of performers includes previous double platinum artists and sell out tour bands such as 90s hit bands Cast and Dodgy.
York Sports Club, Shipton Road, York YO30 5RE
Sat June 25 @ 11am-9pm. Last entry to the site is at 5pm
£8-20
Food vendors will be selling a range of snacks and the bar will be open until midnight inside the sports club. Look out for the retro candy floss and ice cream stalls.
For the first time fans will be able to bring their own food into the festival too, making it easier and more affordable for families who can make their own snacks and picnic meals.
The festival hopes to appeal to everyone, with the addition of a full funfair. Not only will the music be turned up high but there will be zorb balling, bouncy castles and face painting to creating that buzzing festival feel.
So who’s performing?
On the main stage…
Cast
With their 21st century rock and roll, a host of top 10 singles and a platinum album, Cast’s live performance style has been described by Noel Gallagher as like a ‘religious experience’. Their first album became the biggest selling debut of all time for their label, Polydor Records.
The group was reborn out of legendary guitar bands The La’s and Shack in 1992 and after a decade away from the music scene they’re back for more. The original band has now reunited to release another crowd pleasing album ‘Troubled Times’, a record full of the anthems and riffs their fans adore.
Performance time: 7.40pm
Dodgy
Rising to fame in the Nineties Britpop era, the power pop rock trio made their comeback three years ago, 15 years since their free peace sweet album went double platinum.
Their comeback album has attracted four and five star reviews, proving that the old band still knows how to star relevant. Originally together for only seven years, they sold over a million records worldwide and achieved 12 top 40 singles.
They are now set to release another album which they believe will be their best yet and they aren’t the only ones. Rob Da Bank obviously agrees with the boys – after hearing two tracks from the new album, he offered Dodgy a slot on the Bestival main stage for September 2015.
Performance time: 6pm
Dave McCabe and the Ramifications
Dave McCabe has been known as the main songwriter and frontman to psych-pop band, the Zutons for over 10 years. His song Valerie gave the band their breakthrough, and went on to be a hit with Amy Winhouse’s cover too.
Now Dave McCabe is ready to return to the studio for himself, releasing a long awaited album in 2014 which gained glowing reviews and now appearing in performance throughout this year.
Performance time: 4.35pm
Other great acts
The supermodels
A covers band from York who play an eclectic mix. Expect the Who, some Toto and a little ELO.
Chris Helme
Former frontman of the Seahorses who has shared the stage with the Rolling Stones, U2 and Oasis. His melodies are rooted in traditional folk but electro inspired. A melancholy, folky, beautiful voice.
5:15s
The York band covers Mod, Sixties and reggae music. Favourites include The Kinks and The Small Faces, with every gig a little bit different.
The Jackobins
Currently on a 40 date tour with major city sell outs. They have a pop rock style and have previously supported the Enemy and Reverend.
Kymberley Kennedy
Described as carrying an RnB/electro soul sound. Her song Blackout was playlisted by BBC Radio 1 Extra and received rave reviews from major magazines.
The three stages
Rick Witter’s Premiere Stage
Ex-Shed Seven frontman Rick Witter will be returning with his Premiere Stage, showcasing music from every different genre. Starting with good old Britpop from Marquis Drive, moving through electro indie tunes from Apollo junction and even including 70s swamp rock, this stage is not one to miss.
The Chessmen
The Chessmen are a mod revival 60s inspired rock and roll group. Showing their mod and garage influences, they took Leeds by storm with notoriously energetic live performances. With a huge, loyal and park wearing following, you can rely on them for a fantastic performance.
The Boston Shakers will alos be appearing with their heavy beats and raps over the top of electronic music.
Cry Baby will take to the stage in the afternoon, covering the Arctic Monkeys and Oasis as well as playing original songs.
Access to Music
Access To Music is a national music college encouraging a range of interests and abilities to get involved with music. Their stage includes a range of talent, from TV performers to new up and comers, showcasing a variety of artist’s routes into music.
The line-up features Beth McCarthy, an acoustic singer/songwriter and Yorkshire lass known for her appearance on series 3 of The Voice UK. She now has a signed production deal and is recording her own album, complete with a backing band to create a fuller sound.
Other acts include the well-known Y Street Band, who will be playing their indie infused pop music later in the day, as will Bravado Cartel a rock and roll riot with thunderous drums and booming bass lines.
Grassroots Stage
Featuring more alternative, chilled out music than the rocking Britpop of the main stage. With a variety of alternative blues, folk, Americana and even some storytelling songs, this stage is not one to miss for some slightly more unusual entertainment.
Described as a ‘music box of tales’, Captain Of The Lost Waves combines storytelling with singing. His repertoire includes unsolved mysteries and dark adventures so hop aboard to join the captain on his musical journey.
The rest of the line-up will see The Blind Dead play a set of alternative blues and Plumhall, the Yorkshire duo, perform their beautiful folk guitar harmonies.