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Six bands to see at the Apollo Festival in York

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The Apollo Festival bursts into life again this weekend, with a fantastic line up of bands ready to rock the socks off York.

The second year of the fest, which combines family fun and fantastic music, takes place in the grounds of York Sports Club on Saturday, June 21.

It’s ticket only so if you haven’t got yours yet head over to the Apollo Festival website.

The festival, which is raising money for the Smiley Riley Fund, is very much geared towards the family, with food, fun and games adding to the day’s pleasures.

There’s a funfair and stalls, a children’s zone and an open air theatre display. For more details read our preview, or check the What’s On section.

So who’s playing? Here’s a magnificent Mix Six of bands to look out for.

Reverend & The Makers

Headlining the main stage, Reverend & The Makers are one of the drivers of the resurgent Sheffield scene. And they brew their own beer. What’s not to like?

Tom Hingley

The former lead singer of the massively influential Manchester band Inspiral Carpets, Tom Hingley takes to the acoustic stage. He now has a successful solo career, as well as fronting his own band which he describes as like “Bowie’s Tin Machine, (but with songs)”.

Mistress De Funk & Kate Lawler

Two top DJs hit the Apollo’s dance stage. From Manchester comes Mistress De Funk, aka Emma Thompson, formerly of Radio 1 and now a Unity radio host.

She is joined on the decks by Kerrang! radio presenter (and ex Big Brother winner) Kate Lawler. Let battle commence…

A Joker’s Rage

Fronted by clown in chief Zakk Taylor, A Joker’s Rage are no joke when it comes to rocking out, as anyone attending the Entertainment Company stage will find out. Watching them is akin to “being trampled by a herd of dinosaurs with their haemorrhoids on fire”.

Redstar

West Yorkshire indie rockers Redstar were grand finalists in the Live And Unsigned competition 2012.

Their sound has been described as “high octane, thunderous drums, fresh funked up synth, driven ‘lead’ bass lines and screaming, slightly menacing guitars all held together by linchpin lead singer Will Bloy’s darkly evocative lyrics”. So now you know.

Skint And Demoralised

Punk poet Matt Abbott is now a musician with a band – Skint And Demoralised – and three albums under his belt. But thanks to his sharp Sheffield tongue, spoken word delivery and storytelling songs, we still get a lyrical blast of Matt’s wordy origins.