INTERVIEW: Coastella

Image: The Redroom

In a town with a bustling grassroots music scene, inaugural music festival Coastella will open its gates from Friday 30^th June–Sunday 2^nd July in Percy Park R.F.C., North Shields.

The festival is the brainchild of North Shields native John Peacock, who filled me in on what to expect from the fun-filled weekend. John has 20 years of experience in concert promotion in and around North Tyneside: “I decided to create the festival due to noticing a lack of outdoor music festivals in North Shields that really promote the abundance of exceptional talent on the coast,” he explains. As a grassroots festival, John explains that Coastella’s ethos is to “showcase local talent and to give artists the opportunity to play on a big stage alongside established touring acts.” The festival’s first year has started strong, with headliners including dance music legend Judge Jules, local heroes The Futureheads and indie giants Mystery Jets.

Image: The Futureheads

Supporting the running of the festival is a roster of great local sponsors, including Sunday for Sammy, a North East-based trust which provides vital funds for local artists to allow them to progress in their musical journeys. John praises their work, recognising that they are a great fit for Coastella due to their “perfectly aligning mission statement.” He highlights the importance of Coastella’s backers, saying that “as with any first-year festival, the organisation process has had its inevitable ups and downs. However, with the support of the local community, our brilliant sponsors and the backing of North Tyneside Council, the process has been made a lot easier. We can’t stress enough how grateful we are to everyone who has given their time, money and expertise so far. The event quite simply wouldn’t happen without their support.” Reinforcing the community spirit, he explains: “every single one of Coastella’s suppliers are local businesses, from the staging and marquees, to the food vendors. Literally everyone!”

It’s going to be a great weekend of the best live music the area has to offer down on our wonderful North East coastline

There’s more than just music for attendees to sink their teeth into, as John explains: “There’s the most amazing food offerings in the area, as well as added attractions such as a mobile record store, UV shop and loads of mad festival décor and roaming entertainment to keep the festival buzz going between acts.”

But fear not, there won’t be many breaks, as Coastella plays host to over 100 artists over the weekend. As well as the aforementioned headliners, acts include indie rocker Liam Fender, 16-year old Scottish singer Connor Fyfe, folk pop musician Ruth Lyon, folk meets indie-rock band Hector Gannet, singer-songwriter Ben Harwood, North Shields’ own danceable popsters Club Paradise, blues-soaked Finn Forster, neo-soul singer Frankie Jobling, high energy four-piece The Peevie Wonders, indie pop band The Redroom and many more.

Image: Chintzy Stetson by Lauren Luxenburg

It’s clear that Coastella has been a labour of love for John. “Coastella is a festival in the most traditional sense of the word, with a really strong first year line-up. It’s going to be a great weekend of the best live music the area has to offer down on our wonderful North East coastline, and festival goers can be safe in the knowledge that they will be supporting local business, local artists and will have the best time in the process.”

Coastella takes place at Percy Park R.F.C., North Shields from Friday 30^th June–Sunday 2^nd July.