YES, IT’S THE REAL TONY CHRISTIE AT THE FOXLOWE!
Crooning legend leads line-up of musical treats for town’s annual arts extravaganza
WHEN Leek Arts Festival officials first explored the idea of a gig featuring legendary crooner Tony Christie, no one believed it would really happen.
Even after the booking was confirmed and tickets were put on sale people really didn’t take in the fact that Tony Christie was actually coming to perform at Leek’s Foxlowe Arts Centre.
LAF chairman Phil Edmeades, said: “We had lots of people asking if the Tony Christie ‘tribute act’ we’d booked was any good and if he was really worth £29 a ticket.
“Happily, we were able to reassure them that the Tony Christie performing as part of Leek Arts Festival 2024 was ‘the real thing’ rather than an imposter and that the ticket price reflected the cost of bringing such a famous artist to our little market town.”
Despite the doubters, Tony and his six-piece band will be on stage at the Foxlowe on Sunday evening, performing all his hits alongside new songs from his latest album We Still Shine. A handful of tickets are still available at the Foxlowe and online at leekartsfestival.co.uk.
Other key events lined-up in the LAF
2024 programme for the next week or so include Fairport Convention’s
Chris Leslie in a solo gig at the Foxlowe tomorrow night and local band The Bluesmakers at the Cock
Inn, Derby Street, on Saturday evening.
And there’s a whole host of events on offer for Sunday in addition to the near sell-out Tony Christie gig.
These include sacred music from the St Cecilia Singers in a 4pm evensong service at All Saints’ Church, live music (2-4pm) from the Macclesfield Concert Band in Brough Park; and Vox Americana at the Cock Inn, 4pm.
Adding the cherry to the top of a rich confection of events, Joe Broughton’s fabulous Birmingham Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, below, will be on stage at the Foxlowe on May 15.
Phil said: “If you’ve seen these fantastic young musicians before you’ll know what to expect. If you haven’t, then grab a ticket and come along to experience what will be a night of joy, excitement and wild enthusiasm. It’s one not to be missed.”
He added: “A huge amount of work – and a lot of money – has been put into getting the 2024 festival ready to go and we’re very proud of what we’ve got on offer. All we need now is for people to buy tickets, turn up at events and enjoy themselves.”
Full details of the Leek Arts Festival 2024 programme can be found on the website, from where tickets for many events can be bought. Physical tickets for Foxlowe-based events are available from the venue.