Celebration of Live!
Celebration of Live! is a two-day festival celebrating everything that makes live music special. It will bring together some of Hastings’ most beloved musicians, exciting emerging talent and internationally recognised performers.
Curated by local musician and promoter, Mike Willis, the event is also a celebration of Hastings’ distinctive musical character, not just the talent on stage, but the local audiences that bring a passion and energy to their love and support of local music in the town. Capturing the vitality and engagement, the inspiration and diversity that live music creates and grows, the weekend will have two very different musical personalities: Saturday is about energy, rhythm and dancing; Sunday celebrates songwriting, musicianship and audience participation.
FILL THE DANCEFLOOR
Want to dance? Saturday is your day with a lively, eclectic line-up designed to get people moving to the likes of The Jumpsters, a swaggering, swinging ensemble mixing jazz, vintage country and honky-tonk and Mike Willis & The Get ’Em On Up Boys, a special return for the very first band Mike assembled after settling in Hastings. The evening will culminate in a full-on dancefloor celebration with African Head Charge, internationally recognised pioneers of psychedelic dub, African rhythms and experimental dance music.
FILL OUR CUPS
Love music and community engagement? Sunday is your day, with an afternoon and evening celebrating the strength of Hastings’ songwriting community, musical collaborations and shared love of songs. The afternoon starts with Ben Maier, one of the local scene’s most beloved singer-songwriters, and continues with Kid Kapichi, one of Hastings’ best-known musical exports. Sunday’s programme culminates with a performance by Southern & Friends, Mike Willis’s newest musical project, bringing American roots music together with a distinctly British sensibility, and joined by a who’s who of Hastings’ top-tier musicians.
Originally from the US, Mike has spent years promoting and creating opportunities for live music in Hastings and St Leonards, through Mike’s List and Live at Mike’s. He’s also a prominent local performer and is excited to reunite with his first Hastings band on Saturday evening and to present his newest project, on Sunday. This will represent the next chapter in his musical journey, bringing together musicians and audiences from across the local scene.
Dates this weekend, 24-25 October. Tickets: mikeslist.uk. Standard day admission £20. Two-Day VIP pass £35, with priority entry across both days. People who are unable to attend but want to support live music in Hastings and St. Leonards are welcome to make a £5 supporter donation.
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