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| US band Blame Sally are heading for Morecambe as part of their first UK tour |
The autumn/winter programme for The Platform in Morecambe is now available and is crammed full of top class musicians and comedy talent with a line up that includes acclaimed songwriter and guitarist Ralph McTell, musical legend Georgie Fame and Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band.
For those with more diverse musical tastes, the James Taylor Quartet is bringing its rare groove-style-funk to the Platform and founding member of Dr. Feelgood, Wilko Johnson will be returning with some special guests later this year.
Other top class acts include The Blues Band and US groups The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band (latest video above) and Blame Sally, the latter on their first UK tour and described as a potent mix of Joan Jett, Annie Lennox, Fleetwood Mac, early Beatles and Lucinda Williams.
Dizzy Hack and the Rhino Horns (Facebook link) will be returning to provide an amazing concert covering everything from Sinatra to Stevie Wonder and, following the runaway success of the first event, Later with Jools Netherland (Facebook link) is back with six of the area’s prodigious bands across three separate stages.
Top class tributes are lined up to perform spectacular shows that promise to be as good as the real thing and include tributes to Kylie Minogue, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd and Phil Collins.
Brass band fans will enjoy a Last Night of the Proms event featuring the Pilling Jubilee Silver Band and there will be several concerts from Morecambe Brass Band Association later in the year.
For lighter orchestral events, the Promenade Concert Orchestra will be presenting ‘Music while you work’ paying homage to the BBC Home Service from 1940 to 1984 not forgetting the popular lunchtime concerts which are free and will be taking place throughout September.
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| Comedian Sean Hughes |
If comedy is your thing, three internationally successful comedians will be raising the roof with laughter at the Platform this year and include star of television and radio, Stephen K Amos, award winning stand up comedian Sean Hughes and Australia’s Steve Hughes. And there’s plenty on offer for sports fans too with Beating Berlusconi, a comedy show based on a true story of a Liverpool fan who ended up sitting next to the Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi at the Champions’ League Final in 2005.
Cricket commentator Henry Blofeld will also be visiting the Platform later this year on his ‘Shaken not stirred’ tour.
Making sure you’re in stitches for the rest of the year, this month will see the launch of the Platform’s brand new Morecambe Comedy Club which takes place on the last Thursday of every month and promises at least two top named comedians each time. So far, you can look forward to great gags from Archie Kelly (from Phoenix Nights), Greg Kelly and Carl Hutchinson. All events are hosted by Liverpool’s rising star Ste Porter.
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| Meet Tiny the Dinosaur at the Platform during the Seaside Festival |
If you are looking for family friendly entertainment, come to the Platform during the Seaside Festival (1st and 2nd September) and meet Bjorn the polar bear and Tiny the dinosaur.
During October half term you can treat the children to an adaptation of I’m Telling You They’re Aliens based on the book by Jeremy Strong. This is a great family show and promises a fast paced adventure crammed with thrills galore.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the boo hiss of a pantomime. Performances of Jack and the Beanstalk starting on Boxing Day and run until Sunday 30 December.
“With such a diverse array of entertainment on offer at the Platform this year, there is bound to be something for everyone,” enthuses Councillor Ron Sands, Cabinet member with responsibility for tourism and culture, “and much of which I am sure will attract audiences from far and wide to the town.”
• Tickets can be purchased ahead of events at www.lancaster.gov.uk/platform-tickets
• More details about these acts and more are available in the Autumn/Winter edition of The Platform brochure. The brochure is available to view or download online at www.lancaster.gov.uk/platform or to collect from the Platform, Central Promenade, Morecambe and from Morecambe and Lancaster Visitor Information Centres.
Alternatively, you can request a copy by sending your details to platformboxoffice@lancaster.gov.uk or by signing up to receive a copy and regular newsletters by email at www.lancaster.gov.uk/platform