Visit Harlow

1st Annual Midsummer Music Festival in Harlow

Market Square
Sunday 22nd June - Sunday 22nd June 2008

Internationally renowned jazz guitarist Martin Taylor, the Newtown Neurotics, Back 2 Funk and young phenomena Reederz will be in Harlow for the town’s 1st Annual Midsummer Music Festival in Market Square.

Reederz kicks off at 1.30pm. Hailing from Harlow, Reederz have been developing their act, playing local venues such as The Square, The Playhouse and Hertford Marquee for the past two years. A four piece guitar band, they are now the youngest ever finalists in the National Live & Unsigned music competition, having beaten over 10,000 other hopeful singers.

Harlow based Back 2 Funk brings to the stage at 2.30pm a freewheeling feast of funk and soul classics from artists such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Curtis Mayfield.

The legendary Newtown Neurotics are on stage at 3.30 pm. Formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Steve Drewett, The Neurotics erupted from Harlow at the tail end of the seventies punk explosion.

Singing songs influenced by the ‘Newtown Blues’ so often mentioned in the national press about living in a new town in the Sixties, they crafted the song ‘Newtown People’. 

Headlining the day at 4.30 pm are Harlow born Martin Taylor and vocalist Alison Burns.

Taylor has established a unique musical career as an internationally acclaimed musician. His inimitable style has seen him recognised as the world's foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing. Although completely self taught, he has enjoyed a remarkable musical career spanning across four decades, during which time he has invented and developed a way of playing the guitar that is admired, and often imitated, by guitarists all over the world. 

Martin has now put together a special duo project of voice and guitar, he chose the UK's fastest rising jazz singer, Alison Burns, their new album is entitled "1:AM".

The festival is organised by the Harlow Town Centre Partnership, with support from GSK, Leadbitter. the Harvey Centre, Specsavers, Yates, Harlow Council, Harlow Renaissance.

More details can be found at www.harlowlive.com after 5 June. 

Please contact Harlow’s Town Centre Development manager Richard Dennery for further information 

Tel: 01279 446832 Email: richard.dennery@harlow.gov.uk

January 2009