Pocklington Platform Festival Line-up Announced
The line-up for this year’s Platform Festival, taking place from 10 – 13 July 2019, has been unveiled and it features some of the very best music and comedy from around the UK and beyond today including The Shires, Hothouse Flowers, Seth Lakeman, and Lucy Spraggan.
Now into its fourth year, Platform Festival is brought by Pocklington Arts Centre (PAC), and sees thousands of people descend onto the town’s old railway station for four days of live music and comedy in an event like no other.
PAC director Janet Farmer said: “Platform Festival is without doubt one of the highlights of our live events programme.
“The festival has a unique and intimate atmosphere and has what we believe to be one of the most dynamic & diverse line-ups we've programmed.
“We look forward to building on the success of previous years where we have welcomed the likes of Lucinda Williams, KT Tunstall, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Ross Noble to the town.
“Tickets have sold out in previous years, so advance booking is advised."
The festival opens with a double hit of outstanding stand-up comedy, before evolving into a true celebration of pop and rock music.
Critically acclaimed comedian, and star of his own TV show, Chris Ramsey will open the festival on Wednesday 10 July, 8pm, with his brand new 2018 live tour.
Al Murray, famously known as the Pub Landlord, headlines on Thursday 11 July, 7.30pm, as he brings his ‘Landlord of Hope & Glory’ tour 2019 to the Platform stage.
Five years after first playing PAC, The Shires (pictured) are now raising the bar in Nashville but they will be heading back to Pocklington to perform again on Friday 12 July, 8pm.
The Shires (Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes) have become one of the most talked-about bands in the home of country music, due to their record-breaking albums and pulse racing live shows.
They have gone on to play Glastonbury, tour with Irish chart toppers The Corrs, and have become a staple sound on BBC Radio 2. Support will be from York-based singer-songwriter Beth McCarthy.
On Saturday 13 July, the festival kicks off at 1pm (doors 12 noon) for a full day and night of musicians performing across three stages.
Hothouse Flowers will raise the roof when they headline the Saturday night. Something amazing happens when the band steps on stage. There is a sense of musical adventure, an impulse to reach new heights and depths in music as the band and audience become one, and the world becomes a different place for a while.
They have featured at numerous festivals, including headlining the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury.
Charismatic singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman will return to Pocklington after last year’s whirlwind world tour with rock legend Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters.
Lucy Spraggan is widely recognised as one of the leading lights in the LGBT community and her songs have something to say. Lucy has performed at many major festivals including Glastonbury and Isle of Wight and now she brings her toe-tapping trademark sound, complete with a rattle of rap dropped into sing-along folk-style numbers, to the Platform stage.
From solo artists to nine-piece bands as The South joins the Saturday line-up for Platform 2019.
The band features former members of the Beautiful South, including vocalist Alison Wheeler. They play songs made famous by The Beautiful South (‘A Little Time’, ‘Perfect 10’, ‘Rotterdam’), plus a few South originals.
Playing an utterly unique blend of rock and roll, folk, quirky Americana, come all the way from New York City are The Grand Slambovians.
Dubbed the ‘hillbilly Pink Floyd’ and with elements of Waterboys, Neil Young, Dylan, this promises to be one live show like nothing you have ever seen before.
Other acts taking to the Platform stage on the Saturday include Leeds based anthemic rock-pop brothers The Dunwells; the foot stomping Americana inspired Dan Webster Band; York’s very own folk, blues, rock and roll inspired singer-songwriter Boss Caine; Hull’s Late Night Marauders with their original blues, jazz, and soul; award-winning York based singer-songwriter Jess Gardham; and the 13-strrong ukulele collective Grand Old Uke of York plus some very special guests.
In addition, the Access to Music Stage will feature some of the very best emerging talent from around the region.
This will be an indoor event and will be part seated. Street food, prosecco and gin bars plus craft ales will be on sale on site. Free parking is available throughout the town.
Tickets for Chris Ramsey are £25; Al Murray £27.50; The Shires £30.
Tickets for the Saturday are £47.50, £35.00 (Under 18) and £150.00 (Family Ticket).
For further details and to book your tickets call the Box Office on 01759 301547 or visit the following websites: