Thousands of people are expected to flock to Christchurch Park this weekend for one of the most celebrated events in Ipswich’s summer calendar.
The 26th Ipswich Music Day promises to be the biggest and best yet, with a record-breaking number of artists and musicians applying to take part.
There will be more than 50 unsigned acts playing across six stages from noon on Sunday, along with fairground rides, a range of caterers and a craft market.
Bryony Rudkin, deputy leader of event organiser Ipswich Borough Council, said: “This is a unique event for Ipswich and Suffolk. We’ve always held it in the beautiful surroundings of Christchurch Park and it has evolved into the biggest free music festival in the region.”
Ipswich Music Day began as part of a national series of free outdoor events, with almost every major town getting involved.
But while others have fallen by the wayside, Ipswich has continued to flourish, helping scores of young shining stars make their first strides in the music industry.
Suffolk treasure and international hit Ed Sheeran even made some of his first public appearances at Ipswich Music Day, performing at the event in 2009 and 2010.
Mark Whiting, the borough council’s commercial development manager, who oversees the event, said: “There was something special even then about Ed and we are very proud that he played here.
“In addition, he has lent his name to music day by allowing us to call one of the stages The Ed Sheeran Stage. We are very grateful for that gesture.”
This year’s event will welcome back music day regulars, including Soul Kitchen and folk duo Silbury Hill, but will also see a number of newcomers take the stage.
Ms Rudkin added: “We had a huge number of applications from singers and bands and more than 50 will be playing at an event which will attract around 40,000 people throughout the day. That is a wonderful opportunity for them and a chance for us to hear some new talent as well as enjoy some old favourites.
“We are very grateful to the musicians who do take part and to all our sponsors, without whom this would not be possible.”
Part of Westerfield Road will be closed to traffic during the event and parking is restricted around the park.
There is parking available in Christchurch Park (Westerfield Road entrance) or at Crown car park, Portman Road or other borough car parks.
And on Saturday Ipswich Borough Council has teamed up with Ipswich Town Football Club for the second year to host an Open Air Cinema Day at Portman Road.
There are four films to enjoy – Minions, Inside Out, Pitch Perfect and Dirty Dancing.
Full line-up for Ipswich Music Day:
Lancaster Toyota Stage: Falldown In September, Gin Street, Mjsoul, Strike The Sun, Albion Mills, Walkway, Waxies Dargle and SKAD 4 LIFE.
Town 102 Stage: The Landed, Harry Slater Band, Rachel and The Reverbs, EllisRed, Reno and Rome, Just Jay Dance, Tallulah and the Goodtimes Republic, Hot Tramp and The Vagaband.
BBC Suffolk Stage: Hurricane Alley, Kevin Pearce Band, JS and The Lockerbillies, The Martells, Star Club, Ashton Jones and The Inner Heart Band, Bouncing Off Concrete, Soul Kitchen and Monument.
Monument Stage, sponsored by Gallagher Car and Van Rental: Elly Tree, Diamond, Renegade Twelve, Druids, Kid Mojo and the Filters, Smart Alex, The Outlines and The Sutherlands.
Ed Sheeran Stage, sponsored by Suffolk New College: SURGE, BNCHMVRK, SNC Bands, Cardinal, Back to the
Point and Stretch Soul Gang.
Grapevine Acoustic Stage: Shorelark, Meg Burrows, Robin Dicker, Ady Johnson, Connor Ryan Adams, Aartwork, Kev Walford and Kelly Pritchard, Tilly Dalglish and Finn Collinson, Nick Brown and The Broadside Boys.
Christchurch Mansion Art Gallery: Ipswich Suzuki Group, Ipswich Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Ipswich Hospital Community Choir, Fille Harmonia – Wind Quintet, 4Seasons Theatre Group Suffolk and Ipswich Choral Society.
Bethesda Baptist Church: Silbury Hill, Ipswich Co-op Ladies Choir, Columbines, Camerata Singers, Black
Barn Singers and Thanks and Close.
St Margaret’s Church: Musicology, Trianon Instrumentalists, Trianon Music Group Singers and Martlesham Brass.
Who to look out for:
Reno & Rome
Up-and-coming synthpop quartet Reno & Rome have been making big waves in the Ipswich music scene and beyond this year.
And on Sunday the collective will be playing at Ipswich Music Day for the first time, gracing the Town 102 Stage at 3.45pm.
Band member Nic Keeble said: “As cliché as it sounds, Ipswich Music Day is part of what we stand for as people. Bringing people together from all realms of life, just for a day, to set aside all differences for a dance, laugh and to have the best time. It’s about compassion and respect for fellow festival goers that want to be a part of/live in an equal environment.
“We’ve all attended and been in bands that have played before, but this is Reno & Rome’s debut at music day and we’re so, so excited to be a part of it.”
Reno & Rome formed mid-2014 as a trio made up of Nic Keeble, Michael ‘Westie’ Whittle and Ash Hunn. After a year of discovering their outfit, they took to stages up and down the country spreading the word with support from IO Radio and BBC Introducing.
Since the introduction of lead vocalist, Jobie Baker in January 2016, the group are picking up attention from the likes of BBC Radio 2’s Dermot O’Leary and continued support from their ever-growing fanbase.
J.S & The Lockerbillies
Fresh back from their debut performance at Glastonbury Festival, J.S & The Lockerbillies will be rocking the stage at Ipswich Music Day for the second year.
The Rockabilly favourites from Felixstowe will be on the BBC Suffolk Stage at 2pm.
Frontman Josh Locke said: “It’s such a great way to get all the different people together that you’ve played for before, when you see people meeting each other who may never have met and your music is helping that, it’s a special feeling.
“We had a belter of a show at last year’s music day on the Grapevine Stage.
“The marquee was full to bursting and everyone had a dance and a sing, beautiful, memorable stuff.
“We’re hoping to bring that Glasto spirit to music day, just not the mud!”
Josh played his first show with James Hicks on drums and Murray Collins on bass at the Cock and Pye in Ipswich in August 2014.
Rich Webb later joined the ranks on keys, guitar and sax and J.S & The Lockerbillies have been playing around three shows a weekend ever since.
Tilly Dalglish and Finn Collinson
Teenage folk singer Tilly Dalglish will make her inaugural appearance at Ipswich Music Day accompanied by Finn Collinson.
The pair will perform on the Grapevine Acoustic Stage at 4.15pm.
Tilly, from Bury St Edmunds, will take on vocals and mandolin, with Finn on the recorder, bouzouki and guitar.
“Ipswich Music Day is renowned because it’s the biggest festival held in one day anywhere,” Tilly said.
“Ipswich has a really good music scene, and it is also quite welcoming and that attracts a lot of people.
“It’s not a huge festival where you have to go and take a tent and invest in, it’s just a day of fun so it pulls a lot of people that way.”
The 18-year-old started writing music as a young teenager, having taken to poetry as a child.
She has performed at different festivals and venues across the region, and is due to release an album by the end of summer.
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