A third stage has been announced for next week’s Godiva Festival that will see young local musicians given the chance to perform in their home city.
The Cov ConneX Kingston Stage – first introduced at last year’s festival – will return, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, with a grant worth almost £30,000.
It will shine a light on musical inspiration while celebrating Coventry’s twin city of Kingston in Jamaica, with around 40 city-based artists taking to the stage over the Saturday and Sunday in styles ranging from rap, grime, afrobeat and reggae to DJs and MCs.
It will join the Main Stage and The Cov Stage in hosting a massive array of musical talent and giving festivalgoers a packed weekend of entertainment.
The Festival runs from 4-6 July at the city’s War Memorial Park, and tickets are still available at great prices.
Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council and Cabinet Member for Events, said: “Godiva was already going to be an amazing festival, but the announcement of a third stage dedicated to young local musicians has added something extra special and I know it will be a big attraction for all music lovers.
“Thank you to Arts Council England for helping us to give artists from Coventry the incredible chance of performing on stage at a top festival in their home city – and to celebrate the incredible musical culture of our twin city of Kingston.
“With prices frozen from last year, the Godiva Festival is a great value-for-money event for everyone in Coventry, and I can’t wait to enjoy the atmosphere when it all starts in just over a week’s time.”
Cllr Naeem Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities added: “Coventry is a great musical city that has produced some famous names, and what better place than Godiva to give our stars of the future a helping hand as they start their careers in the creative sector.
“We are delighted to welcome back the Cov Connex Kingston Stage and to be working with city organisations such as Fyah Camp, ODE and Positive Youth Foundation to give performance opportunities to some of our talented young people.
“Godiva is loved by so many, and with the music stages supported by a host of other attractions for families and visitors of all ages, it’s going to be another memorable weekend for the city.”
This year’s line-up will see Marc Almond, best known as the vocalist for Soft Cell, headlining the Main Stage on Friday. He will be joined by synth-pop band, Heaven 17, plus soul singer and lead vocalist of the band M People, Heather Small.
Multi award winning band, Clean Bandit, will be headlining the Main Stage on Saturday, supported by acts including DJ, Nathan Dawe, hip hop duo, Young T & Bugsey, and the Panjabi Hit Squad who will be bringing hip hop, Bollywood and bhangra anthems.
Coventry musical legend and one of the founders of The Specials, Neville Staple, will also be taking to the Main Stage on Saturday 5 July.
Completing the headline acts is Ocean Colour Scene who will bring the festival to a close on Sunday (6 July) evening, along with Rick Parfitt Jr & The RPJ Band and YolanDa Brown: Bob Marley Songbook, and dance group Diversity.
The Cov Stage will serve as the secondary stage in the music field at this year’s event, hosting local talent and other acts, and the Family Field will be filled with live entertainment and interactive activities designed to offer a memorable experience for families.
Standard day tickets are available from just £15 and standard weekend tickets from £49.50. Get yours now! To buy tickets or find out more, head to the Godiva Festival website.
Godiva Festival is proudly delivered by Coventry City Council. BBC CWR is the official media partner. Music Smart sponsors the Godiva Calling competition, and Coventry College sponsors the Family Field. The Cov ConneX Kingston Stage is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.