Huge support for KMF as community embraces inaugural event

ORGANISERS have praised fantastic support from across town following the success of the inaugural Knutsford Music Festival.

Dozens of acts graced more than 20 Knutsford venues on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with fringe gigs running alongside town council-organised shows.

As well as big names such as 90s Britpoppers Dodgy and award-winning Blues artist Rebecca Downes, home-grown talent was given the chance to shine from St John’s Church to Saks hairdressers.

“That was part of the aim, to bring footfall into town, and lots of people have spoken about how great it was having it on their doorstep and not having to go into Manchester.

“We had a fantastic level of support from businesses – it wouldn’t have been the same without them. We weren’t sure how many would sign up, and when we looked at the final copy of the gig guide we just thought ‘wow’.

“Friday and Sunday events completely sold out, which was great. We had some comments about how great it was to have that calibre of artist in town.

“On Saturday we had amazing homegrown talent like Abigail Chetham mixed with big acts like Dodgy, and it was a real festival atmosphere with people coming in and running off to catch other artists elsewhere between sets.”

Having delivered on 2017 in a short space of time, and with residents and businesses alike already looking ahead to the next event, the working group will now be afforded longer to plan for 2018.

Adam said: “We are keen to get as much feedback as possible, and in the next couple of weeks the working group will meet to review how it went. We will be looking at how we can grow it and how we can iron out any kinks.

“For 2018, we will have a lot longer to plan it. We put this together in around four months, so it’s quite impressive what we managed to pull out of the bag.

Cllr James Power said: “To hear choirs singing in the street and see such talented musicians at so many venues was overwhelming.

“The Knutsford Music Festival really showed the very best of the town – its welcome, charm and creativity.

“It was a real team effort and a huge thank you must go to everyone who helped make it such a great success.”

Sourced from Knutsford Guardian Article published online 28/06/2017.

Photos by WA16 PR.