Rhodes Media Blogs

The hope families will soon be reunited and able to make new memories through live music has inspired a heart-warming new advertising campaign for Lytham Festival.

In celebration of Diana Ross and Lionel Richie both headlining the five-night festival – and the return of live events next summer – the Motown legends’ classic 1981 hit Endless Love provides the perfect soundtrack for the all-new ad filmed on Lancashire’s Fylde coast.

Titled Music Makes Memories, the story begins in the present day as couple Jane and Tom prepare for the run up to Christmas without their family. As Tom flicks through old records he and Jane are thrown back to their 1980s wedding. We then travel through their life as we see them become parents and enjoy life with their daughter Katie, before the arrival of grand-children and busy family Christmases.

SEE THE AD HERE

Christmas 2020 is not so busy with Katie and her family only joining the festivities via video call. A sad Jane and Tom go for a walk and Tom surprises his wife with tickets to Lytham Festival 2021 so they can see the artists who inspired their first wedding dance all those years ago.

To see the advert click HERE

Lytham Festival director Peter Taylor said: “This year, more than ever, we are all reminiscing about the past, about a time when we could celebrate freely and enjoy live music together.

“We can all pinpoint how a particular song evokes certain memories and for our characters Jane and Tom that song is the fabulous Endless Love.

“As both Diana Ross and Lionel Richie are headlining individual nights at Lytham Festival 2021 we wanted to create an advert that celebrated their wonderful music while also emphasising how important music is in the lives of us all.

“The message that Music Makes Memories has never been truer and we are looking forward to bringing our Lytham Festival family back together in 2021 so we can make more memories.”

Diana Ross headlines the first night of Lytham Festival on Wednesday June 30, while Lionel Richie headlines on Saturday July 3. They will also be joined by Lewis Capaldi (Thursday July 1), Snow Patrol (Friday July 2) and Duran Duran (Sunday July 4).

Endless Love was shot on location in Lytham with the town’s iconic windmill featuring as well as Clifton Square, St Cuthbert’s Church Hall and private homes.

The track was performed and arranged by AJ Brown.

Peter added: “We are delighted with the musical arrangement and visuals for the ad. We feel so passionately about returning to live music next summer and given the calibre of artists in our line-up we decided to create an advert that we believe envelopes that passion.”

For more information go to www.lythamfestival.com

Multi-million selling recording artist Bryan Adams is coming to the Yorkshire coast next summer as part of a spectacular open-air tour set in the grounds of some of the UK’s most beautiful venues.

This must-see tour – set against a series of stunning, picturesque backdrops – heads to Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Thursday July 1.

Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Friday December 11 via ticketmaster.co.uk and scarboroughopenairtheatre.com

 The full dates for the 2021 Outdoor UK Tour are:

Sat 26 June                     Bristol                              Queens Square

Sun 27 June                    Cardiff                              Cardiff Castle

Thurs 1 July                    Scarborough                  Open Air Theatre

Fri 2 July                          Widnes                            DCBL Halton Stadium

Sat 3 July                         Telford                             QEII Arena

Mon 5 July                      Cornwall                          Eden Sessions

Tues 6 July                      Exeter                               Powderham Castle

Thurs 8 July                    Canterbury                     The Spitfire Ground

Fri 9 July                          Cornbury                         Cornbury Music Festival

Sat 10 July                       Leeds                                Harewood House

This will be Bryan Adams’ second appearance at Scarborough Open Air Theatre following his sell-out headline show at the venue – the UK’s premier open-air arena – in 2016.

 He joins the likes of The Beach Boys, Lionel Richie, Duran Duran, Crowded House, Westlife, Lewis Capaldi and Nile Rodgers and CHIC among next summer’s Scarborough OAT headliners – with more artists still to be announced.

Scarborough OAT programmer Peter Taylor said: “Bryan Adams is one of the world’s best-selling artists and an international music legend – we are beyond thrilled he is returning to Scarborough Open Air Theatre next summer.

 “Bryan joins an incredible line-up of headliners for 2021 – and we cannot wait for the season to start!”

West End and Broadway sensation Marisha Wallace is delighted to announce an all-new UK tour for 2021.

The musical powerhouse – who has dazzled both the Royal Variety Performance and Strictly Come Dancing in recent days – is heading out on a six-date tour next autumn.

The announcement follows the release of Marisha’s stunning new album ‘Tomorrow’. Named BBC Radio 2 Album of the Week, ‘Tomorrow’ is a wonderful collection of uplifting show songs and sing-along pop classics delivered by one of the most instantly recognisable and beloved voices of a generation.

Marisha, the star of such smash-hit stage shows as Dreamgirls, Waitress, Aladdin and The Book of Mormon, will play these unmissable dates:

FRI SEP 24         ILKLEY                             KING’S HALL

MON SEP 27       LONDON                       ARTS THEATRE

THU SEP 30      ABERYSTWYTH            ARTS CENTRE

FRI OCT 1           CARDIFF                         ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC

SAT OCT 2         BIRMINGHAM              HIPPODROME (PATRICK STUDIO)

WED OCT 6       LYTHAM                         LOWTHER PAVILION

Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Friday December 11 via cuffeandtaylor.com

Marisha, who will also star alongside Michael Ball in the all-new West End production of Hairspray in 2021, said: “The thing I have absolutely missed the most in 2020 is performing in front of a live audience. My first ever UK tour was halted due to the pandemic earlier this year so it will be wonderful to get back into theatres in 2021 and do what I love the most.

 “The response to my new album has been incredible. All the songs on the album have a really personal and special meaning for me, I loved recording them, and I cannot wait to sing these wonderful songs for audiences across the UK.”

 UK audiences have taken Marisha to their hearts ever since the girl who grew up on a North Carolina farm arrived in the West End to take on the iconic role of Effie White in Dreamgirls.

With a sensational voice that is guaranteed to bring a chill to your spine and a tear to your eye – her awe-inspiring rendition of ‘And I Am Telling You…’ quite simply has to be seen and heard to be believed – Marisha proves she is more than a singer, more than a performer, she is an inspiration.

Having suffered Covid-19 herself, she spent her recovery putting together a self-recorded version of the classic anthem of hope ‘Tomorrow’ to raise funds for those in the theatre industry affected by lockdown. Marisha independently released the track, which ended up on the BBC Radio 2 playlist and landed the Number 2 spot on the download charts.

Now, with the support of Decca Records and an album packed with songs full of hope Marisha is a force to be reckoned with.

Her Decca debut includes the barnstorming radio hit ‘Before I Go’ – a powerful anthem of pride, inner strength and empowerment – alongside such classics as ‘Purple Rain’, ‘Climb Every Mountain’, ‘The Show Must Go On’ on which she duets with Michael Ball and ‘Alive’ (written by Adele and Sia).

Marisha felt passionately there should be strong female representation on the album and all original tracks are written by women. ‘Free’ is written by JinJin (Little Mix, Paloma Faith), ‘Divine’ by Camille Purcell (Jess Glynne, Little Mix) and ‘Faith’ by Natasha Bedingfield.

LISTEN TO ‘BEFORE I GO’ HERE

Yorkshire’s very own Kaiser Chiefs are heading to the coast next summer for what promises to be a stunning headline show at Scarborough Open Air Theatre.

The Leeds indie heroes will bring their no-holds-barred rock ‘n’ roll celebration to the UK’s largest open-air arena on Sunday July 11.

Tickets go on general sale via scarboroughopenairtheatre.com at 9am on Friday December 11.

Next summer’s Scarborough show will be a much-requested return to the venue for Kaiser Chiefs. The multi-award-winning band played an explosive show at Scarborough OAT back in 2017 – and fans have been asking for them to return ever since.

Kaiser Chiefs frontman and national treasure Ricky Wilson said: “We cannot wait to get back to playing live shows again and it will be great to return to this stunning Yorkshire venue. We had a cracking night there in 2017 so roll on July 11!”

Kaiser Chiefs – Wilson (vocals), Simon Rix (bass), Andrew ‘Whitey’ White (guitar), Nick ‘Peanut’ Baines (keyboards) and Vijay Mistry (drums) – are undoubtedly one of the most treasured bands of their generation.

Sixteen years into an incredible career, they have truly made their mark on the British music scene with such anthemic hits as Oh My God, I Predict A Riot, Everyday I Love You Less and Less, Ruby, Never Miss A Beat and Hole In My Soul.

And the great news is there is absolutely no sign of them slowing down!

Kaiser Chiefs have released seven original studio albums including their Mercury-nominated debut Employment, which sold more than two million copies, and Number 1 follow up Yours Truly, Angry Mob which went twice-platinum in the UK.

For their most recent release, 2019’s critically acclaimed Duck, the group returned to their original label home Polydor where they released their first four albums. Featuring the lead single Record Collection, it hit the UK Top 5 ahead of a huge hometown show at Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium.

Kaiser Chiefs join Lewis Capaldi, Crowded House, Duran Duran, Snow Patrol, Lionel Richie, Westlife, and Olly Murs among the headliners at Scarborough OAT next summer.

Scarborough OAT venue programmer Peter Taylor said: “Ever since their show here in 2017 fans have been asking for us to bring Kaiser Chiefs back to Scarborough OAT.

 “We are delighted to oblige, and this is going to be another all-action rock’n’roll show that no fan will want to miss.”

Crowded House are heading out on their first European tour in more than 10 years – and it is coming to the Yorkshire coast next summer.

The Australian rock band behind such legendary hits Don’t Dream It’s Over and Weather With You will play Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Tuesday June 8.

Tickets go on general sale via scarboroughopenairtheatre.com at 9am on Friday December 11.

The Yorkshire coast date will be the first UK show on the tour which also hits Glasgow, Birmingham, Cardiff and London, together with a series of iconic venues across Europe.

Joining founding members Neil Finn and Nick Seymour on stage at Scarborough OAT will be Mitchell Froom, Liam Finn and Elroy Finn.

Crowded House recently released their first new music in 10 years. New single Whatever You Want arrived with a brilliant video, directed by Nina Ljeti and starring Mac DeMarco. Watch it HERE

The band began recording a new studio album in in Los Angeles in January and from March, as the Covid-19 lockdown hit, they had to exchange new songs via online files.

Fans can expect to hear the fruits of these lockdown labours – the eagerly-awaited album Dreamers Are Waiting which is set to be released early next year ahead of the European Tour.

Scarborough OAT venue programmer Peter Taylor said: “When we learned Crowded House were touring Europe we just knew we had to try and bring them to Scarborough OAT. This is a real coup for the venue and the Yorkshire coast.

 “Crowded House are regarded as one of the most influential bands of the last 40 years and their fans are utterly devoted. This will be an incredible show.”

Crowded House join Lewis Capaldi, UB40, Duran Duran, Snow Patrol, Lionel Richie, Nile Rodgers and CHIC and Olly Murs among the headliners at Scarborough OAT next summer.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Beach Boys are joining a stellar 2021 line-up at Scarborough Open Air Theatre.

The pioneering and legendary band – who celebrate their 60^th anniversary next year – will headline Britain’s largest open-air concert arena on Sunday June 13.

Tickets go on general sale via scarboroughopenairtheatre.com at 9am on Friday December 11.

Next summer’s unmissable Yorkshire coast show will be the second time The Beach Boys have headlined Scarborough OAT after rocking the seaside venue back in 2017. They are also delighted to today announce two 2021 dates at London’s famed Royal Albert Hall on June 11 and 12.

The Beach Boys continue to ride the crest of a wave unequalled in American music history and have become an American icon to fans around the world.

Since co-founder and lead-singer Mike Love penned the lyrics to The Beach Boys’ first hit, Surfin’ (1961), dozens of the band’s chart toppers have become eternal anthems of American youth including Surfin’ USA, Surfer Girl, Fun, Fun, Fun, I Get Around, California Girls, Help Me Rhonda, Barbara Ann, Good Vibrations, Wouldn’t It Be Nice and Kokomo.

The Beach Boys have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, have received more than 33 RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) Platinum and Gold record awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

And with six decades of touring under their belts, The Beach Boys have performed more concerts than any major rock band in history.

The band is led by Mike Love, who, along with longtime member Bruce Johnston, musical director Scott Totten, Brian Eichenberger, Christian Love, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill, Keith Hubacher and Randy Leago continue the legacy of the iconic band. This concert will not feature Brian Wilson, Al Jardine or David Marks.

The Beach Boys join the likes of Lionel Richie, Duran Duran, Westlife, Lewis Capaldi and Nile Rodgers and CHIC among next summer’s Scarborough OAT headliners – with more artists still to be announced.

Scarborough OAT programmer Peter Taylor said: “The Beach Boys are true music legends and we are so excited to be welcoming them back here to the Yorkshire coast.

 “Since forming in 1961 they have written some of the biggest pop songs of all time so it’s brilliant their fans will be able to join in their 60^th anniversary celebrations here at this wonderful venue.

 “Next year’s line-up is already looking amazing and we are delighted to now be adding the amazing Beach Boys to our stellar group of headliners.”

It’s back! The shows with the most front on British television are returning this festive season and promise to be bolder and ballsier than ever before.

For the very first time, the new line-up of brave celebrities will perform their routines by doing the full monty on ICE, in a winter wonderland spectacular – without a thermal in sight.

The petrified class of 2020 will be led by Ashley Banjo and Coleen Nolan, joining forces once again to put them through their paces for the biggest and most daring show yet, all to raise awareness of cancers in intimate areas of the body and the crucial importance of early self-checks to help save lives.

The Emmy award-winning and BAFTA-nominated programme is now in its fourth year and the celebrities have tough acts to follow. But with less health checks taking place during lockdown for crucial early diagnosis, the message has never been more important.

Stepping up to reveal all on ice this year are Woman’s Hour legend Dame Jenni Murray, actress Linda Lusardi, Love Island’s Shaunghna Phillips, actress Hayley Tamaddon and This Morning’s Dr Zoe. While baring all for the boys will be rugby star Gareth Thomas, actor Jamie Lomas, singer Jake Quickenden, jockey Bob Champion, Diversity’s Perri Kiehly and Love Island’s Chris Hughes. All have stories to tell about how cancer has touched the lives of themselves or those closest to them.

To push them even harder, Ashley has asked some of the former Dancing on Ice professional skaters to perform with the celebrities and DOI’s Dan Whiston will be creating some amazing ice dance routines to get everyone into the Christmas spirit.

The fresh set of male and female stars will learn their whole super-sized routine from scratch, before revealing all to the nation in two 90-minute specials to demonstrate the importance of shedding body inhibitions and making checks in intimate areas to prevent cancer.

Ashley Banjo said: “We are so proud of what this show has achieved in reminding people to check themselves for early signs of cancer and we’re going all out this year to get that message across; following lockdown, when far fewer people were getting health checks, now more than ever this message is important. Performing on ice will take the challenge to a whole new level – the celebrities won’t know what’s hit them! What could possibly go wrong?!”

Coleen Nolan said: “I keep saying ‘never again’ to getting my kit off but the response we get from the millions of women who feel empowered to check themselves after watching the show is incredible, so here we go again! This year is more personal than ever for me as two of my amazing sisters are battling cancer once more. I’m inspired by them and everyone I meet who’s has been touched by this dreadful disease, so I’m absolutely thrilled to be back leading a new awesome group of women, ready to bare all with me. But as this year it’s on ice, let’s just hope we don’t get frostbite on our unmentionables!”

ITV Factual Commissioner Kate Teckman said: “This Christmas the show with the biggest baubles on television is back and we couldn’t be more excited. Ashley will be leading from the front as this year’s plucky men and women are going to attempt the Full Monty on ice. A breast and ball check is not just for Christmas and it’s five minutes that could save your life.”

The Real Full Monty on Ice is commissioned for ITV by Kate Teckman, Factual Commissioner and Sue Murphy, Head of Factual Entertainment. For Spun Gold Television, the Executive Producer is Louise Rainbow.

TV Ice skating star Daniel Whiston and a host of local performers will star in Lytham’s first ever virtual Christmas Lights Switch-On.

Plans are also underway to host a special tribute to beloved Lytham resident Bobby Ball who passed away suddenly last week.

The Lytham Christmas Lights Switch-On is a highlight of the Fylde coast calendar but due to social distancing restrictions, organisers took the decision to pre-record the event from the town’s Lowther Pavilion.

Broadcast via the official Lytham Christmas Facebook page and a dedicated Lytham Christmas YouTube channel here http://bit.ly/LythamChristmas

the virtual switch-on show will take place from 5pm on Saturday November 14.

This year’s spectacular will see three times ITV Dancing on Ice champion and Fylde resident Daniel Whiston offically flick the switch to light Lytham up with festive cheer.

Daniel, who will be seen on TV’s this December in The Real Full Monty on Ice, has lived on the Fylde coast all his life and as a regular visitor to Lytham says he is honoured to be taking part.

“I’m delighted to have been asked to switch-on Lytham’s Christmas lights this year,” said Daniel.

“2020 has been a terrible year for so many people so to be asked to help bring some festive spirit to the Fylde coast is a real honour.

 “Now more than ever we need something to look forward to so I hope many, many people tune in to the virtual switch-on and enjoy a lovely evening watching it from the safety of their home.”

Performing at the switch on will be Britain’s Got Talent 2011 winner Jai McDowall and Lytham’s own Lucy-Ella Smith, who are both starring in Cinderella at Blackpool’s North Pier this Christmas. There will also be musical performances from Coustics, Deadbeats, Edward Rhodes, Emily Rhodes, James Edgar ad Jo Ashcroft. Comedian and writer Phil Walker will also bring some festive fun to the proceedings.

BBC Radio Lancashire’s Graham Liver will host the event and there will also be a special appearance from Mayor of Fylde Angela Jacques, Lytham Town Crier Colin Ballard and Father Christmas.

Lytham Christmas Lights Switch-On is organised by Cllr Brenda Blackshaw and Lauren Gallagher with support from Lytham Festival organisers Cuffe and Taylor.

Cllr Blackshaw said: “We have a very different Switch-On planned for this year but nontheless it is still going to be fantastic.

 “We have a great line-up and we are determined to create some festive cheer. I’m so pleased we’ve been able to film our artists at Lowther Pavilion and we’re delighted to welcome Daniel Whiston as our Switch-On star.

 “Of course, for the people of Lytham and beyond, it is also important that we pay tribute to our very good friend Bobby Ball. In recent years Bobby, along with his wife Yvonne, had adopted Lytham as his home. He supported everything he could in the town and was loved by so many people. He will be sadly missed.

 “This year is very different to any other year but I hope we can come together as an online community at least and celebrate the very best of our town.”

The 2020 Virtual Lytham Christmas Lights Switch-On takes place Saturday November 14. Tune in to the Lytham Christmas Facebook or YouTube (http://bit.ly/LythamChristmas) from 5pm.

British music icons Duran Duran will delight fans next summer with a momentous outdoor show on the stunning Yorkshire coast.

Duran Duran have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, scored 18 American hit singles and 21 UK Top 20 tunes, cementing them as one of the most successful and influential bands of all time.

Next summer, the band will bring their epic live show to Scarborough Open Air Theatre – the UK’s biggest purpose-built open-air concert arena – on Wednesday July 7, 2021.

Tickets go on general sale via scarboroughopenairtheatre.com at 9am on Friday November 6. Duran Duran VIP Fan Community members will have first access to tickets with a pre-sale beginning at 9am on Tuesday November 3 via www.duranduranmusic.com

Currently celebrating 40 years together, the band – singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor – continue to play to huge concert audiences around the world.

Consistently fusing art, technology, fashion and a signature sense of style with their unique and infectious brand of music, the band has proven themselves timeless, always innovating and reinventing, to remain ahead of the curve.

Their latest album – 2015’s Paper Gods – was Duran Duran’s highest-charting release in 22 years and was hailed by critics and fans alike as their best body of work in more than two decades. Produced by Mark Ronson and Nile Rodgers, alongside Mr Hudson and Josh Blair, the record featured collaborations with Janelle Monáe, John Frusciante, Kiesza and Jonas Bjerre (of Mew.)

A global, three-year, sold-out arena tour followed where the band brilliantly combined such classics as Girls on Film, The Wild Boys, Ordinary World, The Reflex, Come Undone, (Reach Up For The) Sunrise and Rio with stunning new songs from Paper Gods.

The two-time Grammy, BRIT Award and Ivor Novello winners are currently working on their 15^th studio album. It is due for release in 2021 when the band will continue their 40^th anniversary celebrations with a number of major live shows and events – including headlining both the Isle of White Festival and Lytham Festival.

Their Scarborough Open Air Theatre show is presented by Cuffe and Taylor. Promoter Peter Taylor said: “Duran Duran are global superstars and we are so excited to be bringing them here to Scarborough next summer.

 “Their live shows are simply epic and fans have been asking us for some time now to bring them here to the Yorkshire coast. It is another massive headline show for Scarborough OAT 2021!”

Snow Patrol are delighted to confirm an all-new headline show at Scarborough Open Air Theatre next summer.

The multi-award winning band behind such anthems as Chasing Cars, Run, You’re All I Have, Signal Fire, Called Out in the Dark and Take Back the City will bring their stunning live show to Britain’s largest open-air arena on Saturday July 3.

Tickets go on general sale via scarboroughopenairtheatre.com at 9am on Friday November 6.

Snow Patrol – Gary Lightbody (guitar/vocals), Johnny McDaid (keyboards/guitar) Nathan Connolly (guitar), Paul Wilson (bass) and Jonny Quinn (drums) – have racked up an impressive array of critical and commercial accolades over a hit-packed 25-year career.

This includes more than 17 million global album sales, one billion-plus global track streams, five UK Platinum-selling albums, an Ivor Novello award, and Grammy and Mercury Music Prize nominations.

The band broke into the mainstream in 2003 with their album Final Straw, featuring Top 5 hit Run. 2006’s Eyes Open saw them truly propelled to a global audience as massive hit single Chasing Cars went on to become UK radio’s most played song of the 21st century.

After taking some time out, Snow Patrol returned in 2018 with the brilliant Wildness – their first studio album in seven years. The band followed up its huge success with a sensational live tour which included a homecoming gig in front of 35,000 fans in Bangor, Northern Ireland.

They were due to play Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2020 only for the date to be cancelled due to the global pandemic. During lockdown the band recorded a new EP – The Fireside Sessions – with the help of a few thousand friends!

The EP is made up of five songs written by the band’s fans during a series of streams on Instagram Live dubbed ‘Saturday Songwrite’. In a nod to this collaboration, the EP was released under the banner of Snow Patrol And The Saturday Songwriters with all proceeds from sales going to the anti-poverty charity, The Trussell Trust.

Scarborough Open Air Theatre programmer Peter Taylor said: “We were gutted when the 2020 season had to be postponed so we are delighted to be able to confirm Snow Patrol are heading to Scarborough OAT in 2021.

 “They are hugely successful and influential band who have written and recorded some of the best-loved indie rock anthems of the last 20 years. These special songs are going to sound amazing at this unique venue. It’s going to be an incredible night.”