If you’re gonna do it, do it right – twice!
Maidenhead: George Michael tribute act invited back to home town festival
One of the acts topping the bill at this year’s Maidenhead Festival so impressed organisers with a surprise appearance last year he has been invited back as a headliner.
Maidonian Steve Mitchell, whose George Michael Live show celebrates the music of the iconic singer-songwriter, so wowed the crowd in an impromptu duet with an Elton John tribute act last year that festival organisers have asked him to do a full set this year.
The Festival, held in Kidwells Park on the weekend of July 22-23, is the largest event in the town’s calendar and the free concerts on the Saturday and Sunday evenings are its biggest highlights, attracting thousands of people.
This year’s shows feature a line-up of world-class acts aimed at pleasing the widest possible audience.
Saturday night sees top Taylor Swift and Abba tribute acts, while the Sunday concert opens with Steve’s George Michael show followed by a musical tribute to the movies.
Kicking off on Saturday night will be award-winning Taylor Swift tribute Katy Ellis, who has taken her show around the world.
Katy covers all eras of Swift’s music from her early country twang to her current pop influence and the show features all her muchloved hits.
Topping the Saturday night bill will be Inferno, one of the UK’s longest established Abba tribute bands.
With 21 years of performing under their sequined belts, Inferno promise to have the audience dancing from the first strains of 'Waterloo' to their rousing finale of 'Thank You for the Music'.
Bringing the festival to a close, the Sunday night show begins with Steve taking the audience on a journey through George Michael's greatest hits.
He will be followed by vocal harmony act A Million Dreams performing Movie Magic, a set packed with hit songs from films such as The Greatest Showman, Rocketman, The Blues Brothers, Footloose, Moulin
Rouge, Dirty Dancing, 9 to 5, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Mamma Mia.
The trio of Toby Hinson, Kerri Leigh and Rebecca White, have all performed in the West End, touring shows and film and TV.
Festival chairman Lisa Hunter said: “We’ve tried to cater for the broadest range of musical tastes with some truly world class acts that will offer huge crowd appeal and it’s great to have a local performer as one of our headliners.
“Everyone will know lots of the music so we’re expecting plenty of singing and dancing from the audience.”
Organised entirely by volunteers, the festival offers a packed programme of family-focussed fun and entertainment.
All the festival favourites will be back including a huge array of stalls and sideshows, fairground rides and wide range of mouthwatering street food.
And as always festival admission, the on-stage entertainment, children’s beach and the spectacular fireworks display will all be free of charge.
If you would like to volunteer or find out more about getting involved with the festival please email Lisa Hunter at info@maidenheadfestival.org.uk