New stars lend the Pops strong support

EtternaFanSylvie · Joined: Jan 23, 2006 Posts: 44

New stars lend the Pops strong support Jun 2 2006

By Catherine Jones Culture Reporter, Liverpool Echo

SOME of Merseyside's best up-and-coming artists are providing strong support for this year's Summer Pops.

And New Zealand classical starlet Hayley Westenra has also confirmed she will appear next month as special guest of fellow superstars of opera, Il Divo.

Still only 18, she already has a host of platinum discs and has sung with many of the classical greats, including Andrea Bocelli, Jose Carreras and Bryn Terfel, as well as performing in front of the Queen and Tony Blair.

There are only a few tickets remaining for the show on July 21.

Pops organisers are also committed this year to supporting local talent with both Lipa graduate John Smith and Runcorn favourites Muddyhead being announced in support slots.

Smith will play at the opening night of the Pops on June 29, which is being headlined by Jools Holland.

He is described as 'the future of acoustic guitar music' with a highly original style but which also brings to mind legendary talents from Nick Drake to Bert Jansch.

Smith, who last month released adebut album The Fox and The Monk and toured with John Martyn, will appear at both the Wickerman Festival and Green Man Festival this summer.

Meanwhile Muddyhead will support Simple Minds on July 10. The group's debut, Land And Sea, was released earlier this year and they have already had a taste of the big time after opening for super-stars Roxy Music.

Muddyhead is Andy Steele from Runcorn, (former China Crisis frontman) Gary Daly from Liverpool, Graham Chesters from Widnes, Colin Lambert from Frodsham, Laura Campbell from Liverpool, and Russ Williams and John Dowling, both from HoughGreen.

Jamie Bowman, of Pops promoters CMP, said: "The Pops brings some of the biggest names to Liverpool but we're also committed to supporting Merseyside's own musicaltalent.

"We're proud of the fact the Pops' line-up is strong all the way through, and that goes for the support acts too.

"In previous years support acts have included the likes of Jamie Cullum and Natasha Hamilton, so it really is a prestigious gig."

The line-up

Thurs, June 29: Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra + John Smith supporting Fri, June 30: Best of the Australian Pink Floyd Show - Part One Sat, July 1: Oscar Peterson Sun, July 2: Pet Shop Boys Mon, July 3: Whitesnake Tues, July 4: Deacon Blue Wed, July 5: The Who - Sold Out.

Thurs, July 6: The Who - Sold Out. Fri, July 7: James Brown Sat, July 8: New Order Mon, July 10: Simple Minds + Muddyhead supporting Tues, July 11: Corinne Bailey Rae Wed, July 12: Jeff Beck/Buddy Guy Thurs, July 13: The Darkness Fri, July 14: Ronan Keating Sun, July 16: a-ha Mon, July 17: Westlife Tues, July 18: Simply Red Wed, July 19: Simply Red Thurs, July 20: Sugababes Fri, July 21: Il Divo Sat, July 22: Best of the Australian Pink Floyd Show - Part Two Sun, July 23: Bryan Adams

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/entertainment/previewsandreviews/tm_objectid=17167796%26method=full%26siteid=50061%26page=1%26headline=new%2dstars%2dlend%2dthe%2dpops%2dstrong%2dsupport-name_page.html
_________________
Which she makes off with in fragile strings ......
Infinitely her voice sings like a secret echo of eternal night.
From whence you are endlessly reborn ... EMMA SHAPPLIN