The Midlands Music Festival Stage

The Midlands Music Festival Stage

JLS bought thousands of screaming fans along to Tamworth.  JLS proved to be the big draw to the Midlands Music Festival.  The event which was headlined by Blue, who played a full 45 minute show saw 14,000 pop fans descend on the Castle Grounds for the Midlands Music Festival which was claimed as a success by organisers.

The event which was being held to support and raise money for the local Just 1 Life Charity saw a host of pop acts descend on Tamworth and turn the Castle Grounds in a pop fans mecca.

The Castle Grounds had during the week been transformed from a leisure ground, to a festival arena for 14,000 people.  Bars added, portable toilets and a massive stage and backstage area erected.

The large screens entertaining the crowds

The large screens entertaining the crowds

The Festival which opened it’s gates at 10.30am saw the first act on stage at 11.30am with the first acts being those of up and coming local bands including Double Time Heroes, After Hours and Everybody Looks Famous.  During changeovers, crowds were entertained by the big screens and the BRMB DJs, the radio partner of the Midlands Music Festival.

During the morning the crowds were already building with reports of people queuing to enter the Castle Grounds at 7am on Saturday morning.  We arrived at 11.30am to find 1,000′s of people already basking in the sunshine on their picnic blankets and fold out chairs.

The god’s were certainly smiling on the event which was being held to raise money for Just 1 Life, the charity who raise money and provide essential equipment to assist medical teams in treating premature babies.  Temperatures were in the mid 20′s and the sun was out all day, even the evening was warm.

As the afternoon begun to warm up, the backstage was slowly filling up, as was the main arena.  The afternoon acts saw more up and coming acts and X Factor finalists showing their support.  Up comers like Kayney and Laura White wooed the crowds with their lyrics and performances.  Just before 4pm though the ante was upped with the introduction or Right Said Fred for their 15 minute set, performing classics for the crowd.

Right Said Fred was the start of the build up to the headliners later in the evening.  Chico was next on stage and as ever was on fine form after his trip round Tamworth Town centre last weekend, quickly followed by Andy Abrham, another crowd favourite from the Saturday Night ITV show.  Liz McClarnon was flown in for her first performance since signing a new record contract last week.

Anticipation within the crowd was now growing.  It was announced only the other week that this years Britains Got Talent winners would be performing and they were next on stage. Diversity got everyone on their feet, even those who were lucky enough to have a seat in the VIP seating, performing their majestic moves on stage.  Bumping into them backstage, you have to say they certainly cover all the heights..  I’m not small, but the tallest made me look like a dwarf.

The Automatic

The Automatic

Diversity marked the change from daytime to evening.  The crowds were now bustling and the front by the stage resembled sardines stuffed into a can.  1’000′s of screaming teenagers with their banners ready for the likes of Blue and JLS.  6pm saw The Sugababes take to the stage, singing classics and new songs.  Their set lasted 25 minutes before we got into the Saturday night spirit with Booty Luv who in 2006 saw their quirky pop tunes reach the dizzy heights of number 1 in the UK.  Eoghian Quigg and the London Gospel Choir were next on stage (not together), you could argue the quiet before the storm.

The welsh rock/pop band, The Automatic were up next and warmed the crowd up with some new music and some classics, such as “Monster”.  But the girls in the crowd were eagerly awaiting the arrival of those who were next on stage, JLS.

A short interlude whilst the stage was changed from rock stage to pop stage, and the Elliot Webb and Caroline Martin from BRMB’s breakfast show worked the crowd to fever pitch.  When JLS entered the stage, the screams could be heard all across Tamworth, and some would argue the Midlands.  Take a look at the video below.

JLS on stage

JLS on stage

The screams from the crowd were deafening, JLS had landed and performed their hits as well as covers from Llonel Richie and Michael Jackson. Dancing their way through the set, JLS wooed the screaming crowd, many of whom were confessing their undying love for the boyband who shot to stardom in the X Factor.

During their performance, the following on TamworthLive went mad with those unable to make it to the gig keeping tabs on what was happening.

A short interlude followed after JLS performed their former No. 1 single “Beat Again”.

Lemar was up next, hard act to follow and something very different compared to the previous act, but the women were screaming heavily during his set.  This really was one for mum as well as your sister.    Lemar sung hits like 50/50.  The temperature was certainly rising, as was the decibel levels on the soundsystem with text messages being received from all over Tamworth saying how good it sounded.

Blue on Stage at Midlands Music Festival

Blue on Stage at Midlands Music Festival

The finale was now in sight with the crowd begging for more, the ice cream sellers begging for more, but the last act was close.  The anticipation had been raised by helicopters flying over head an hour or so earlier, Blue’s reunion was close.

At 9.45pm, the moment young women had been waiting for since they split up in 2004, Blue were back on stage together, performing a full 45 minute production with live band.  The decibel level was raised again with the crowd screaming as they gave perfect renditions of the back catalogue.

They closed their set with the aptly sung “1 Life” song, bringing the Midlands Music Festival to a close, raising plenty of money for the Just 1 Life Charity.

just1life_logoThe photos on this page are only a selected few, you can view more pictures from the event here.   The reason for the event was to support Just 1 Life who provide vital equipment to assist in the treatment of premature babies throughout the country.  They are always looking for support and sponsorship.  If you enjoyed the show, or even our coverage on Twitter and our photos, then please donate to them through their website.