Whitby 60s Festival ready to roll - 21 years on
Just weeks after high-profile shows at the King’s Sandringham Estate featuring global stars including Eric Clapton, Lionel Richie and Christina Aguilera were cancelled, Whitby 60s is preparing for another successful festival weekend as it celebrates its 21st anniversary year.
The cancellation of such a major event and high profile shows underlined the challenges currently facing the live entertainment industry, making the continued success of one of North Yorkshire’s most popular music festivals all the more remarkable.
A handful of profile festivals across Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire have also fallen by the wayside recently.
Held at Whitby Pavilion, Whitby 60s has become one of Britain’s longest-running nostalgia festivals, attracting visitors from across the region.
The festival has grown from a single annual gathering into two major weekends every year and, following a hugely successful June event, organisers say the next festival – which runs from September 18 to 20 – is attracting strong advance sales with visitors booking hotels and accommodation throughout Whitby and the surrounding North Yorkshire coast.
National radio station Boom Radio have helped to spread the word to all corners of the UK.
Festival promoter Chris Wood said: “When you see major events for the King and featuring some of the biggest names in world music struggling to make the numbers work, it underlines just how difficult the festival market has become.
“That’s why we never take our audiences for granted.
"The fact we’re celebrating 21 years, staging two festivals a year and already have 2027 dates confirmed is something we’re incredibly proud of.”
The June festival attracted music lovers from across the country and was headlined by Love Affair legend Steve Ellis, whose million-selling hit Everlasting Love remains one of the defining songs of the 1960s.
Ellis described Whitby 60s as one of the highlights of his performing diary and praised the loyalty of audiences who continue to support the event year after year.
Headlining this September will be The Manfreds - featuring 60s icon Paul Jones.
His million sellers include Do Wah Diddy, Pretty Flamingo, If you've got to go, go now and many more.
The September line-up will also feature popular favourites The Fourmost, Vanity Fare and New Amen Corner alongside a host of tribute performances celebrating the golden era of British popular music.
Mr Wood believes Whitby’s unique place in Yorkshire’s tourism landscape is central to the festival’s success.
“The 1960s and Whitby are a perfect fit,” he said.
“You’ve got the nostalgia, the Yorkshire coastline, the famous harbour, the history and even the Heartbeat connection just a few miles away in Goathland.
“Many of our visitors travel from all corners of the UK and make a holiday of it.
"They stay in local hotels and guest houses, visit local attractions, eat in local restaurants and support businesses across the town.
"For many people it’s become far more than a music festival – it’s an annual reunion.”
Attention is now turning to September 18 to 20 when the three-day long weekend will also include the hugely popular matinee shows
Full details of The Whitby 60s Festivals at Whitby Pavilion can be found by calling 01757 700042 or 07990 073574.