The very popular 100% Tent. Pic by Sarah Wheeler

THANKS to all of our readers who have sent through their feedback about this year's Basingstoke Live. It's nice to hear all of your comments and what you think we can do to make Basingstoke Live 2009 even better. Keep them coming!

It was the best year yet with a nice variety of music and an excellent atmosphere all weekend. Well done to everyone involved.

-Sarah Howell

I am writing to express my sheer delight at the recent music event. I was given a chance to play with some of the best musicians Britain has to offer on the Friday night on an outdoor stage, with thanks to Anvil Arts. It was a shame about the weather, which affected turnout, but if it wasn't for LIVE, me and many other local residents/school children would not have had the unbelievable experience of being able to show what they can do with the accompaniment of a group of musical geniuses.

Long may Live continue. Let's just hope the lazy population of Basingstoke come out of the woodwork to support a promising free local event next year, and witness great live music and acts at the same time. Surely a win win?

-William Trow

Just a quick note regarding the above event. Not being a local, I didn't know what to expect! I was surprised and delighted at the range of music and activities that were available all day, from the Bang Bar open event to the evening sets of bands, DJs and other activities.

Well done, Basingstoke - I'll be back.

-Kindest Regards, Geoff Langston

I loved this free weekend of fun! You should really do this sort of event more often. And the music was awesome!

-From Jess, aged 16, Oakley

It was an awesome day - great bands - can't wait for the next one!

-Bobbie Trussler

My name is Derek Green and I own and run The Light Lounge. We opened on May 17th 2007 with the very purpose of supporting, amongst other things, local live music. The response and support from the local music fraternity has been fantastic right from the very start. If you were at Basingstoke Live or any of the Fringe gigs I'm sure I don't need to tell you that we are lucky enough to have some very talented and passionate performers.

Pic by Sarah Wheeler

Since the beginning of this year I have forged a partnership with Lawrence Hoare (100% Music/Tent) who has been filling the role of promoter for me. With Lawrence's professionalism and attention to detail he has managed to find an even greater depth of talent, both locally and further afield. This has enabled The Light Lounge to really put itself on the map as a music venue.

You may or may not be aware of it, but to coincide with Basingstoke Live, 100% Music and The Light Lounge pooled their respective resources and produced a CD of all of the performers from the 100% Tent. We produced 5000 and these were given away free to festival-goers. All of the musicians gave their time and effort for free as this was a collective effort to get a quality disc together for all of the music/festival lover to have as a souvenir. I have to say, I'm not the easiest person to please, but the production and musicianship on this compilation is exemplary. If you haven't got a copy i urge you to get one quickly, we only have 200 left!

I myself had a busy Fringe week, having six events on Tues - Sun, but I still found some time to visit the Memorial Park. All three stages, Main, 100%Tent and Sunrise Stage were all well supported, so whatever you were looking for from the music provided there was something there for everyone.

The feedback from both the 'musos' and the general public has been universally positive and it looks like small town Basingstoke is finally starting to think a bit bigger. I sincerely hope that the impetus and the enthusiasm that the Festival has generated recently is carried forward and Basingstoke can once again have a thriving music scene, not just at The Light Lounge, but all venues that support live music. It goes without saying that this year's Festival was the biggest and best we have ever had but we must not be complacent, next year's has got to be bigger and better yet again.

So many people put so much effort into this year's event for little or no reward. They all know who they are and they should all be very proud of their achievements. I myself am proud to work alongside Lawrence and 100% Music Ltd, all of my loyal but slightly mad staff and many, many talented musicians. Long may it continue!

-Regards, Derek Green

Basingstoke Live festival was great of what I saw of it. Wish it had not rained though as I went home because of it. I won four tickets to go bowling from the main stage though and we had lots of good advertising from the bands and their friends giving out stickers/badges etc.

Bring on next year, -Sarah

Was a wicked weekend and met all my mates who I haven't seen in ages, what a good time the music was sublime, chas and dave lol, one band stood out for me was a band called the idol machine they were brilliant. If you see them tell them they rocked...

-Jay

I am just writing to say how much I enjoyed attending the Basingstoke Live event this weekend. I would really like to see the council encourage more events of this type within Basingstoke. The music talent within the town is there for all to see at the small events organised on a weekly basis within the bars and pubs. With some decent exposure, at events like Basingstoke Live, it could really be an opportunity for them to progress their talents onto a wider stage.

Having performed this year, I am one of The DirtyDropOutz who DJ'd the Sunrise arena, I would love to see this event really pushed and supported by the local community.

If you have any contacts in the Council who we can put some ideas too, I would be very interested to speak to them.

-Many Thanks, Jamie, DirtyDropOutz - DJ/Production Collective

Basingstoke Live 2008 - What a fantastic weekend. It was brilliant to see so many people from the town supporting the event and really putting Basingstoke on the map with people from outside of the town turning out for the show. Families, friends, musicians. Everyone was there.

So much going on and so hard fitting everything in. The 100% tent was packed out for every act and was by far my favourite with my highlights being Atom Gang, Bambu, Hello Wembley, and the Raz Brothers. The Sunrise stage was a great attraction with DJs on the Saturday and some fabulous acts on the Sunday including Nadeen White and Ellis Slater. Some of my favourites on the main stage included This Is Fiction and Lucifer Jazz and The Love Rats.

The only down side is having to wait another year for another event. BIG Thank you to all the organisers for a fantastic weekend.

-Sarah Wheeler

I play guitar in The Bandinis. We're from Reading and played the 100% tent on Saturday at Basingstoke Live.

There are now lots of festivals across the region, seemingly springing out of the ground each summer, like ram shackled musical weeds, desperate to lay claim to the title of the "best new event of the summer". Unlike most, Basingstoke Live has blossomed into a highly organized, professional and most importantly, quality event. The three stages had an eclectic line up of urban, indie, emo, post punk and world music. And all of the acts showcased emerging local talent as well as the established staples. The site was easy to negotiate, there were useful listings and the crowd was truly family orientated. Our show had old rockers and young urchins bopping along in equal measure, whilst there was room for toddlers to shake a leg in the pushchairs at the back. Best of all, the only price was the cost of risking the unpredictable British weather.

-Kind regards, Matt Dyson The Bandinis, www.myspace.com/thebandinis

I had a great time on the Saturday mainly in the 100% tent - it was great to listen to all these amazing local bands. It was great to see so many different people, different ages and different musical backgrounds. Who says we have a problem with the youths, everyone young and old were mixing together and having fun. I mainly enjoyed The Marvels on Saturday and Kalimoto on Sunday. I hope Basingstoke Live will continue to grow and get better for many years to come.

Regards, Loren Perry

The Sunrise Tent had me absolutely glued to the floor! I didn't want to leave, there were so many different performances and some crowd entertainment too. I think anybody who spent 5 minutes in the tent probably stayed for much longer, there were people of all ages enjoying the dancing and jumping around. Also I was very interested in the MCs, The Author and XTC. Their tracks were very deep and intriguing - I'm sure I will definitely be going to see them again! Also the Dirty Dropouts and the drum and bass set that followed with MC Felon was outstanding. I forgot I was in Basingstoke! I'm very impressed with Basingstoke Live this year, it was fantastic! and I had a brilliant time!

-Emz Traynor

We need more events like this in Basingstoke, this was a brilliant opportunity to showcase local talent and Basingstoke has got plenty to offer. I went along with my husband to support a few of the local bands we often support when in town and when we get the opportunity and it was great to see them at this event. The headliners were great entertainment and it would be great if this event was kept going. I think it needs more advertising as not many people I spoke to knew anything about it. Of course you can't book the weather but that didn't seem to put too many people off on Saturday. Sunday was a better day for people attending the event in the park. It was nice to families out with picnics, taking their dogs for a walk. There appeared to be no trouble and it was a great family event. Keep Basingstoke Live going!!

-Mandy Hurford

Hi I thought that the Basingstoke festival was really good and think there should be more events like that. Me and my friends really enjoyed ourselves and thought it was a better night out than town even tho it finished rather early!

-Corinne Tyson

I was fortunate enough to be playing on the Sunrise Stage on Sunday, for if I had not been I may well have missed seeing the act that followed me - Tammi-Jo Williams and Bo Keeney. Tammi-Jo has blossomed in the last year summoning up an amazingly powerful, soulful, golden, voice. I urge everyone to keep an eye out for her singing in the local venues, and get along to support her while she's on the way up. The weekend was a great success due to the effort put in by this year's shakers and movers, and to all those people who turned up to support it. Here's looking forward to next year.

-Nige Rivers

I think Basingstoke Live was an amazing event to go to. I am definitely going to come back next year. I liked the fact there were various tents to accompany people's tastes so everyone could enjoy themselves. I think the event is very well run as well.

-Emily Collins

Basingstoke Live was AMAZING!!!! We should have more festivals like that in Basingstoke. It was ace man!

-Regards, Kate

8:50am Tuesday 15th July 2008

Pic by Sarah Wheeler

Tammi-Jo Williams, by Nigel Rivers

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