Dancing and singing crowd is glad to be back at Tribfest
Tribfest, the world's biggest tribute act festival, was back with a bang at Sledmere, East Yorkshire. Not even a deluge on Saturday night failed to dampen spirits, writes Julie Marshall. The first act we caught on the Thursday night in the Unsigned Marquee, The Swamp Dogs, were a foot-stomping outfit from Hull who played acoustic/ bluegrass covers of rock anthems.
As the crowd danced and sang with unbridled joy it brought a real lump to my throat and made me realise just how much I’d missed live music these past 18 months.
Headlining on the main stage that first night was Oasis cover band Oasis Maybe who delivered 90 minutes of pure magic.
Friday highlights were the Ed Sheeran Experience, and Gary Ryan as Neil Diamond – my personal favourite of the whole weekend.
Saturday got off to a fine start with Bye, Bye Baby a tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The four-part harmonies and slick choreography were perfectly orchestrated.
It’s acts like this that really sum up the magic of the Tribfest experience. Mums and daughters, dads and sons of all generations sharing music together from eras they would not normally listen to.
After a storm on Saturday night, the programme got off to a late start on Sunday morning as staff put down straw to soak up the mud.
The arena show kicked off with family band Jax and Co, a tribute to Johnny Cash and June Carter, followed by Definitely Dolly. The diminutive Dani Graham delivered a faultless performance, belting out Dolly Parton’s best-loved songs.
The Bowie Contingent, due to play the VIP tent was bumped up to the main stage after a cancellation.
Tribest favorites Revival, a tribute to Abba, and The Bohemians (Queen) rounded off the action on the main stage and a firework display lit up the sky. The Sons of the North, a young band of talented musicians, delivered an amazing set of rock anthem covers. They had played earlier in the day at a smaller marquees and were so well received they were asked to close the festival.
Discounted tickets for 2023 are available on www.tribfest. co.uk