A Sheffield music festival is set to showcase what can be achieved outside the confines of mainstream education next month.
With the scrapping of GCSE music at Crosspool’s Tapton School being the latest headline to hit the beleaguered community, Saltstock is determined to be a celebration of the city’s thriving grassroots community.
Much of the festival is underpinned by the talent of the Concord All Stars – an inspirational community-based marching band that has helped provide access to music for scores of the city’s young people since it was formed in 1984.
Five of the seven acts performing at Saltstock have had members that have come up through the ranks of the All Stars and the band themselves will help close the show.
The festival started three years ago as a way to raise funds for the Concord All Stars and is set to take over the Hallam University Hubs Building Club Room for its biggest event to date.
Saltstock Festival was the brainchild of James Salt – musician, family man and chair of governors of the marching band.
Everly Pregnant Brothers’ frontman Shaun Doane is set to compare the five-hour long extravaganza.
Saltstock Festival includesrenowned Sheffield 20-piece party band Tin Soldiers.
The act – which includes James Salt on drums – will be attempting to surpass their record breaking 2018 which included two shows at Tramlines and headlining a stage at the renowned Y Not Festival..
They will also be joined by James Salt’s dad – local jazz legend Ralph Salt. He will be performing a set of swing jazz with popular crooner Alfie Ryan.
Ralph Salt has been aprofessional jazz pianist since 1967, he was inspired after seeing Liberace perform at Sheffield City Hall ten years earlier.
Former Voice contestant Sam O’Hara will also be performing with his band The Soul Battalion for a night to remember.
Other acts on the Saltstock bill are:
* Elevation Avenue: an infectious soul, funk, pop and rock covers band
* Bluesmouse and the House Rats: a seven piece blues and rockerbilly act
* Riker: A renowned four-piece, Sheffield-based rock band.
* The Azenas – A young 3-piece up and coming Indie Pop and Rock ‘n’ Roll band
* Concord All Stars.
All profits will be split between two chosen childrens’ charities:Concord All Stars Junior Marching Band and PACT Sheffield.
James Salt said: “It has been wonderful to see this event grow and develop over the past three years. Our original aim was to provide a family friendly music festival that children could attend with their parents. We’ve tried to keep it affordable and raise the maximum amount for charity. We’ve received fantastic support from our amazing roster of musicians.”
Saltstock takes place on Saturday, April 13thin theClub Room of Hallam University Hubs Building, 6 Paternoster Row, Sheffield S1 2QQ.
Tickets:
£5 Children
£10 Adults (Over 16)
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/saltstock/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaltstockSheffield/
