Live music lovers are in for a real treat the weekend of July 25th and 26th, when Alston’s toes will be tapping to the sounds of a wide range of musical talent. “Alston Live” festival kicks off its second year on Saturday 25th July at Tyne Willows field, and to complement this event South Tynedale Railway are host to a number of musicians on Sunday 26thJuly.
Passengers on the trains running at 10.45; 12.15; 2.15 and 3.45 will be able to enjoy music around Alston station; on the platform and on the trains. Visitors attending “Alston Live” just need to present their event wrist band here on the Sunday, and they will get a 10% discount off ticket prices, remembering that all CA9 postcode residents already qualify for a 50% discount all year round.
Our ‘wandering minstrels’ include:
Happy jazz from Lazy River Jazz Band who play vintage jazz and hot dance numbers from the 20s and 30s.
Last Night's Rain perform a mix of folk and acoustic music on fiddle, vocals and guitar. This sister duo recently made their debut performance at the Folkworks Hexham Gathering. Both are members of the Sage Gateshead's youth group, Folkestra.
Mount Hooley Band include acoustic banjo, fiddle, guitar and sax. They enjoy performing a mix of country and banjo based music and promise a train theme!
Lazy River Jazz Band will also be entertaining the families with musical fun including activities like “Spot the pocket trumpet” and “Guess what’s in the case”.
There will be a range of home cooked food and drinks available in the Buffer Stop café and, as always on operating days, the station shop offers souvenirs, local & railway books and, of course, ice-cream!
Heather Palmer, General Manager, “We are delighted to support Alston and the Alston Live music event with our own Steam Live event. I know that the music on the platform and on and around our heritage steam locomotives will provide a great atmosphere on the Sunday which I am sure our visitors will enjoy”.