Bandstand Audiences Rewarded with Six Weeks More
16 January 2007
Following last year's successful summer which saw audiences increase by more than a third, The Bandstand is set for an extended season this year with an additional six weeks of concerts.
The popular weekly concert season which normally runs for 12 weeks in the summer, will now run for 18 weeks from early June until the end of September. With a full concert programme already available to pick up or download, audiences can look forward to a return of popular formats including Tribute Nights, 1812 Fireworks and Sunday Night on the Proms.
Eastbourne Borough Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Councillor David Elkin said "Last year's programme proved a big hit, especially tribute acts like Abba who were a complete sell out with family audiences. Numbers are also increasing outside of the main summer holiday season, particularly in September, so by extending we hope to pick up some new audiences, starting off in June with the most popular act of all."
Abba Fever kicks off the weekly Friday Tribute Night season on 1 June, and follows with the return of many favourites such as Tom Jones, Queen and The Beatles. Airbourne also sees a ‘Summer Nights' tribute to the film Grease, plus new tribute acts from Elvis, The Beach Boys, Shirley Bassey, Kylie and the recently reformed Take That.
Making a welcome return, 1812 Firework concerts continue their successful run on Wednesdays, plus Big Band on Thursdays, Rock n Roll on Saturdays and Sunday Night on the Proms returns with even more pyrotechnic displays.
On Mondays a special six week run of Gilbert & Sullivan concerts will take place in the height of the season and afternoon band concerts also make a return, including Saturday's Afternoon on Broadway and Sunday's traditional band music.
Traditionally a busy week at the Bandstand for fans of military music, the Royal British Legion Festival of Music returns from 9 - 14 September. Organisers are hoping to expand audiences in September with a busy programme from the prestigious Royal British Legion band, followed by the Band of the Guards Association from 16 - 21 September.
The Bandstand reopens for 2007 on Easter Sunday with a traditional afternoon concert from Eastbourne Silver Band.
The full concert programme is available now from the Tourist Information Centre. Alternatively download from www.visitbandstand.com and get special discounts by joining Friends of Eastbourne Bandstand absolutely free.