Tourdates’ childhood recollections of Bridlington centre on a picturesque harbour surrounded by very elderly working-class white people gamely attempting to keep the seagulls off their chips. How times have changed. The town now has a music festival and even some black people...
by Tourdates staff writer, first published in LondonTourdates #032 ,3rd October 2008
Musicport World Music Festival was established in 2000 and over the years has attracted such illustrious names as Rachid Taha, Buena Vista Social Club, Courtney Pine, Talvin Singh and Kate and Anna McGarrigle. This year’s location, in a change from the festival’s previous home at Whitby, is Bridlington in East Yorkshire, and it all happens on 17-19 October.
This year’s event kicks off on the Friday with the Levellers headlining, with other acts including Moussu T E Lei Jovents, Mor Kabasi Mambo Jambo, Skavolution, Robert Maseko and The Hut People plus a lot more.
On Saturday music starts at the tender hour of 10am. Martin Simpson and Belinda O’Hooley (formerly of Rachel Unthank and the Winterset) play early sets, before an evening featuring Toumani Diabate and Ska Cubano (pictured). Sunday sees sets from Ivo Papasov & His Wedding Band and London Bulgarian Choir. That night, however, sees the big draw of the festival emerge. Obviously, we are referring to Rolf Harris who headlines the Sunday after The Warsaw Village Band.
All concerts are held in The Spa in Bridlington, a multi-purpose venue including a 650-seat art deco main hall.
Tickets for the whole weekend are £89.50 (concessions are available and you’ll have to find your own accommodation) while day tickets are available too.
For more information go to www.musicportfestival.com.
