This week’s Glastonbury Festival will be sprinkled with MK music dust as no newer than three new city troupes take their wares to the Somerset site, writes Sammy Jones.
And as you might expect, they are all pretty happy about it!
“When we found out we had been selected to play, we fell over in shock,” says Gwen, who fronts Gwen and the Good Thing (below).
“We’re incredibly excited about the opportunity to play the greatest music festival in the world!
“This is going to be an experience we never forget!” she told us.
Gwen and the Good Thing will be playing on the acclaimed BBC Introducing Stage, which will also feature fast-riser Rocky Nti (top)
He’s on a roll and has tucked plenty of touring know-how under his belt recently. Doubtless his recent single Reflections will figure in his set, and Rocky will knock you out with his splendid 2015 delivery Ride On.
It’s one of our most favoured numbers from the past year or so.
“Since I was young I’ve dreamed of playing at Glastonbury. It’s one of those moments that every artist hopes for, to headline the Pyramid Stage with thousands of people singing your song back at you, with fireworks and flag waving,” Rocky told me.
“This year I take one step towards that vision, and I’m going to enjoy and soak up as much of the vibe as possible!
“We’re going to go hard and give our all onstage, and most of all try and enjoy ourselves.
“We wait all week for those 30 minutes onstage, we don’t let a second go to waste,” Rocky said.
“I’ve had a few busy months supporting Eliza & The Bear and Sunset Sons, and was in Europe with Panic! At The Disco, so I’m just praying the good vibes continue, that I get back on the road after festivals and create some more noise that people enjoy listening to and watching live.”
Both Rocky and Gwen and co. were picked to play on the BBC stage, with industry bods including Steve Lamacq, Emily Eavis and Gary Lightbody deciding that the MK sides have got what it takes.
“It’s a real success story for Milton Keynes and hopefully will encourage more MK based musicians to embrace their roots and think big,” Gwen added.
And this BBC Introducing stage has struck gold before now: Ed Sheeran, George Ezra and Jake Bugg all made their Glasto debuts the same way.
It’s only fair to tip our hats and wish Forest of Fools (above) continuing success for their clutch of Glastonbury Festival shows this week, too.
The band is on site all weekend, cropping up here, there and everywhere, with appearances on the Greenpeace and Lizard stages already in the bag.
They’ll be minus their usual melodeon master though. But they got a rather decent fella to fill in at this late stage – none other than John Spiers who you’ll know from Bellowead, or Boden and Spiers fame.
“We are very grateful and excited to have such a legend of the folk scene on the box,” they said.
Note to Mr Eavis for next year: We can save you a small fortune if you speak to us about your bookings.
MK has the talent and you have the stage... Meantime, Total MK sends good luck vibes to our new city players.
