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Line-up for York’s newest festival announced

@ Things to do
Award-winning… Kazabian

Forget Glasto. Or even Leeds and Reading. This year York has it’s own festival.

The one-day Apollo Festival arrives in the city on Saturday, June 29. “We aim to deliver an unforgettable day to the people of York,” said one of the organisers, Claire Cummings.

In the huge grounds of the York Sports Club, Clifton Park, Shipton Road, York, festival goers will be able to enjoy two stages hosting some of the best bands and artistes in the city.
 There will also be a large number of stalls and attractions, including a fairground, as well as food and drink provided by local businesses.

“This is a York festival for York people,” said Claire. “The line up is starting to look very exciting.”

Among the confirmed acts are Oasish, “Europe’s finest Oasis tribute band”.
 Kazabian were voted Best Tribute at TribFest and played to a 40,000 strong crowd at Liverpool’s Mathew Street Festival. “In September’s NME front man Tom Meighan gave them a glowing reference!” Claire said.

The line-up will also include the best of York’s live music from We Could be Astronauts, Montego Bay, Littlemores, Young Minds, Icehole, FUNKtion, David Ward Maclean, Andy Doonan, Hayley Gaftarnick, Asio’s Eyes, Barcode Zebra, Lauren Varley, Dan Webster and still lots more to be announced . Visit Apollo Festival’s website for full details of all bands and artistes.

Apollo will have a main stage and an acoustic stage. York’s Jam Factory will host some of their own bands and artistes on the acoustic stage. As well as the Jam Factory being home to York’s Access to Music course, it is a hub of the city’s music scene, providing rehearsal space and recording time for many bands of the past, present, and the future.

The event organisers will be holding the festival in support of a different charity each year. This year Apollo Festival will be in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust. The trust is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for the six young people aged between 13 and 24 diagnosed with cancer every day.

Playing Apollo – Lauren Varley
Playing Apollo – Lauren Varley

The festival has its first two sponsors, Thomas’s Bar of York and Lynden Designs – Contemporary Living Spaces. “If you are interested in helping with the running costs by sponsoring Apollo Festival, we would like to hear from you now – contact us via our website,” said Claire.

“Also if you would like to volunteer at the Apollo Festival to help out on the day they have various roles available, please do get in touch.”

Early bird tickets will go on sale for a limited time from 9am on Friday, March 1 for the discounted price of £6. Children under 12 go free as long as accompanied by a paying adult.