As festival fever takes hold of the country, one Cambridge shopping centre is getting well and truly into the spirit by hosting its own music festival. This August bank holiday weekend, Summer Music Fest comes to Lion Yard Shopping Centre, set to showcase some of Cambridge’s top up-and-coming talent. Enjoy acoustic music as you shop and who knows, you may discover the next big thing!
You’ve probably already come across Tom Korni, the One Boy Band, busking outside Great St Mary’s Church. Hotly tipped for big things, seek him out on 23 and 24 August (11.40am and 12.30pm) where he’ll be demonstrating his natural talent through acoustic covers of everything from Mr Bojangles to Blurred Lines. He won Cambridge Has Talent in 2013 – and he’s still just 16 years old.
Local poster boys Polar Collective will be playing on Friday 22 August, 1.20pm and 2.10pm. Adam, Ally, Gryph and Jake have taken Su ffolk by storm over the last two years and now they’re set to conquer the rest of the UK with their infectious indie tunes.
Established guitarist Michael Wilson veers down the indie-rock lines and will be performing on 23 August, 1.20pm and 2.10pm. He says: “I’ve been singing since I could open my mouth and have played the guitar for 14 years. I love trying out acoustic versions of dance tracks, heavy rock tunes and, most of all, the blues!”
Singer-songwriter Katy Watts, from St Neots, takes inspiration from the likes of Sheryl Crow and Alanis Morissette to create her catchy lyrics and simple melodies. “The last few years have been a big learning opportunity, not only as a singer and a songwriter, but as a person,” she says. “You seem to learn a lot about yourself when you are on a stage with lots of people staring at you, especially after being the girl at school who was too scared to put her hand up in class. I feel more confident than ever before as a musician and want to get my music heard by as many people as possible.”
See her on 24 August, 3.50pm and 4.40pm.
Elfin indie-folk singer Rachel Clark grew up in Cambridge and favours a poetic, heartfelt style of music which perfectly suits her pure vocals. She’s played at Lodestar, Strawberry Fair and Cambridge Junction, and her all-time goal is to sell out a gig at the Corn Exchange. Be captivated by her on 25 August, 1.20pm, 2.10pm and 3pm.
“Lion Yard is hosting great local musicians over the bank holiday weekend, bringing the festival atmosphere to your shopping experience,” says Amy Rhys- Davies, Lion Yard centre manager. “We are very excited to be able to welcome acts including Tom Korni, one of the winners of last year’s Cambridge Has Talent, as well as many up and coming artists. If you like acoustic music, pop in and see what’s happening throughout the weekend. And if your friends are performing, come and support them!”
