Wyre Forest music festival 'a success' (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Wyre Forest music festival 'a success'

1:20pm Monday 5th October 2009

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A WEEK-long Wyre Forest music festival has been hailed a “great success” by organisers, despite fears the credit crunch would hit ticket sales.

Wyre Fest, headlined by The Blockheads, raised at least £1,000 for The Proton Effect, helping cancer sufferers in Wyre Forest, and Spinal Research, which funds research into a cure for spinal disability.

More than 400 people turned up to The Blockheads’ gig at Kidderminster Town Hall on Saturday after ticket prices were slashed by £8 due to slow sales.

“A great night was had by all,” said John Combe, one of the organisers. “There was great local support and it was an excellent night for Kidderminster.”

The Blockheads scored hits in the late 70s and early 80s with Sex and Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll, What a Waste and Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick.

Original frontman Ian Dury was replaced by Derek ‘The Draw’ Hussey, his friend and former minder, following his death in 2000.

Mr Combe explained most of the money had been made from the week’s smaller gigs, as the town hall show was more expensive to stage.

“Economically, it could have been a bit better I suppose but it’s always a risk when you book a big band,” he added. “We hope the festival will grow and grow and that, from these small beginnings, it will become a big, long-running event.”

The event began last year as Kidderminster Music Festival and has been expanded to include venues across the district.

Highlights included Ricky Cool and the Hoola Boola Boys at Stourport Boat Club and garage rock band Naked Remedy’s Bewdley Institute gig.

“We try to make it a diverse programme of shows,” Mr Combe explained. “We had a mixture of bands and that’s we hope to do every year from now on.”

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