Full music lineup announced for Guernsey’s 80th Liberation Day celebrations
Guernsey’s 80th Liberation Day will host a variety of music performances throughout the day on North Beach, Albert Pier and Castle Cornet. The programme, sponsored by The Co-operative, offers a mix of nostalgia, community singalongs and modern performances, ensuring a lively soundtrack across the day of celebrations.
On North Beach, the entertainment will start at 12pm with a selection of poems from the recent Guernsey Arts Liberation 80 Poetry Open, read by the poets, with music from Emily Fern.
This will be followed by ‘Where words fail, music speaks’ at 1pm, curated by Hannah Beacom during lockdown for online broadcast in 2020. The programme includes music from local composers including Elizabeth Beacom and Lydia Jane Pugh, and a number from the recently written musical, ‘Radio Silence’, by Laura Simpson and Ms Pugh. Performers include Guernsey Concert Brass, the Accidentals, Vocally Unlocked and a performance of ‘Schindlers List’ by Nicole Wyatt and Elena Fedorenko.
A ‘Singalong through the Decades’ at 2pm will finish the first section, bringing familiar favourites for all generations to enjoy. This section will also feature several local choirs including Singing for Health, Hope Singers and States of Harmony.
Deputy Sue Aldwell, Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, said:
'Live music has always played a key part in our Liberation Day celebrations and this year is no exception. Once the Cavalcade has formed their static displays, at 4pm the music will turn to the 1940s. The wonderful D-Day Darlings are a firm favourite with the Guernsey public and will be bringing their 7-singer line this year for the first time. They will be followed by the fantastic Royal Marine Band and their swing band lineup, which I am very excited to see. We hope that the variety of performances will help bring people together to reflect, celebrate and enjoy the occasion.'
David McGrath, Chief Marketing & Membership Officer at CI Coop said:
'Community is at the heart of everything we do at the Channel Islands Coop, so we’re delighted to be sponsoring Guernsey’s 80th Liberation Day music stage. We are really excited for people to enjoy soundtracks from every decade this Liberation Day and to appreciate Guernsey’s local talent. From 7pm, the music will have a more modern feel with the Big Band Collective and Last of the Light Brigade taking to the stage to keep the celebrations going.'
Albert Pier will host a Beat the Retreat from the Bugles and Drums of the Stedfast Association (BADOTSA) whose members are all former Boys Brigade Band from across and beyond the UK. Following the Cavalcade, the pier will take on a relaxed feel with duo, The Vibettes, bringing vintage harmonies with a modern twist alongside the static display of military vehicles, old cars and tractors.
At Castle Cornet, Guernsey Arts has curated a programme of live performances throughout the day, showcasing a diverse range of local talent with a historic backdrop. The Cor Damme Lars, Living History by Guernsey Museums and Viv Roussel, formally of The Blondettes, will feature in their lineup.
Members of the public who enjoyed the selection of poems on the North Beach stage can hear a larger collection of the Liberation 80 Poetry Open entries that have been recorded and will be played in the Amherst Room throughout the day.
Programme: Music Stage, North Beach
|
12.00 |
Selection of poems from the Guernsey Arts Poetry Open with music from Emily Fern |
|
13.00 |
‘Where words fail, music speaks’ A Brass Chorale, Elizabeth Beacom Guernsey Concert Brass, conducted by James Hatton
Aderai, Lydia Jane Pugh The Accidentals
Sarnia Cherie, arr. Martin Cordall Throughout, Tristan Boscher will be reading the memories of a local man who remained on the island through the occupation. His detailed account highlights how local music was so important in lifting the spirits during Guernsey's darkest times |
|
13.45 |
Singalong through the decades 1940s: Vocally Unlocked 1950s and 1960s: Singing for Health conducted by Sam Nicholls 1970s: Hope Singers conducted by Julia Jager 1980s to 2000s: States of Harmony and Le Rocque Choir led by Carly Tucknott |
|
14.45 - 16.15 |
Cavalcade Livestream of Cavalcade on big screen |
|
16.15 |
D-Day Darlings The group will perform a programme from the 30s, 40s and 50s with the trademark close harmonies that were so popular at the time and keep the wartime era spirit alive |
|
17.00 |
Royal Marines Band Scotland |
|
18.30 |
D-Day Darlings |
|
19.15 |
Big Band Collective |
|
21.00 |
Drone show |
|
21.15 |
Fireworks |
|
21.25 |
Last of the Light Brigade |
|
22.45 |
End of concert |
Programme: Albert Pier
|
13.00 |
Beat the Retreat, Bugles and Drums of the Stedfast Association |
|
16.00 |
The Vibettes |
Programme: Castle Cornet
Middle Ward
|
10.15 |
Living History presented by Guernsey Museums |
|
11.00 |
Viv Roussell |
|
12.00 |
Charlie Sherbourne and Andy Degnen |
|
13.15 |
The Vibettes |
|
14.15 |
Falls the Dew |
|
15.15 |
The Cor Damme Lars |
Entrance lawn
|
10.00 |
Tiny Tale Adventures with Lucy |
|
11.00 |
Ashleigh Moore |
|
12.00 |
Faolán Gill |
|
13.00 |
21-gun salute fired by the veterans party |
|
13.15 |
Aindre Reece-Sheeran |
|
14.15 |
Recorded Poetry |
Additional activities
|
All day |
Arts and crafts in the Amherst Room Reflection area with poetry The Last Children screening Lawn games Puppeteer Little Puffin singing: story and sing-along |
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