History
Bradford Council has staged music events of one kind or another at Myrtle Park since 1991. Initially a 3 day event featuring classical, pop and jazz soon became a single day of pop which saw retro pop acts such as Edwin Starr, Suzie Quatro, Boney M, Alvin Stardust etc.
In 1997, following a partnership with local radio station ‘The Pulse’, the event became a 2 day event which in addition to retro pop saw the familiar ‘Party in the Park’ style of event that featured a number of acts from the then current chart scene. Unfortunately the very first Party in the Park which was all set to stage an up and coming girl band called ‘All Saints’ was cancelled. The reason for cancellation: - as a mark of respect following the death of the Princess of Wales which occurred earlier that day. Amongst the acts that appeared throughout the Party in the Park era included Charlotte Church, Busted, McFly, Rachel Stevens and Gareth Gates.
This format continued right up to 2006 which turned out to be the final year. In February 2007 The Pulse announced their withdrawal from the partnership which in turn saw Bradford Council pull the plug on the event. In May 2007 following a considerable amount of pressure from supporters of the event the Council made a U turn and decided to go alone and organise the event in its entirety. As a result a reformed and re-branded event ‘Bingley Music Live’ was launched onto the festival circuit. With only 12 weeks to put the event together and Bradford Council struggling to persuade agents to release their bands to come and perform at an unknown festival with no previous history it looked as if the first Bingley Music Live would also be the last. With a solitary line up consisting of ‘From the Jam’, ‘The Bluetones’ and local support it was essential that Bradford Council quickly turned things around. In came an industry professional who with only 9 weeks until event day managed to secure indie legends The Charlatans and newcomers The Twang making the event a success, going on later in the year to be shortlisted in the Best New Festival category of the UK Festival Awards.
Bringing you right up to date and the festival is still organised, in the main, by the same team that started the festival who with a hands on approach and a mutual love for live music are devoted to delivering you the best festival possible.
Since it began in 2007 there has also been strong growth in the festival’s following which has resulted in sell out crowds for the past two years seeing notable performances from James, The Enemy, Public Image Ltd, Seasick Steve, Editors, Calvin Harris, Doves, The Zutons as well as breaking acts such as Example, Professor Green, V.V. Brown, Sound of Guns and Kassidy.
The story so far...
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2010
3rd September:
Buzzcocks, The Blackout, Dreadzone, Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip
4th September:
James, Public Image Ltd, Reef, Example, Frightened Rabbit , Gaggle, Sound of Guns, The Mexanines, Jasmine Kennedy
5th September:
The Enemy, Seasick Steve, The Levellers, Hadouken, Professor Green, Craig Charles Fantasy Funk Band, Kassidy, The Dawnriders, Black Diamond Bay
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2009
4th September:
The Undertones, Toploader, New 2, Pama International.
5th September:
Doves, The Zutons, Ocean Colour Scene, The Sunshine Underground, The Dykeenies, Detroit Social Club,The Moons, The Little Black Hearts, Disco Machine Gun.
6th September:
Editors, Calvin Harris, Reverend & The Makers, The Futureheads, Qemists, V V Brown, White Belt Yellow Tag, Vandal Supreme, Spike Island.
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2008
30th August:
Happy Mondays, Scouting For Girls, The Automatic, Terrorvision, Delays, Infadels, Ebony Bones, Sergeant, Billy the Kid, Michael Mallinson
31st August:
Echo and the Bunnymen, Alabama 3, Natty, King Blues, Jubilee, The Sylvias, Desert Eskimo, Rewire, Hundred Dollar Cigar
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2007
1st September:
From The Jam, The Bluetones, White Light Parade, Splash Alley, The Touch, Analog Bombs
2nd September:
The Charlatans, The Twang, Milburn, Dead 60s, Operator 6, Scars on 45, The Good Die Young, Talk to Angels
What they say…
The small Yorkshire town of Bingley may be an unlikely home for a major pop festival, but the fourth Bingley Music Live has established itself as a cheaper, more family-friendly alternative to the giant Leeds.
The Guardian
"I’m really impressed. The organisation is first rate, it’s easy to get to, easy to get in to, everyone’s having a good time, there’s a great vibe going on and everyone seems really happy which is the ultimate importance."
John Giddings, Global Music Agent
"One stage many acts; that’s what a festival should and is all about."
John Lydon, Public Image Ltd.
"I would just like to say Bingley was a great way to finish our summer, both band and crew loved it. Big thanks from everyone."
Thomas Stone, Tour Manager, James
"What a terrific experience, one of the best organised, nicest festivals I have ever had the good or bad fortune to be in attendance at…..Geoff, (Geoff Meall, The Agency Group) you can happily book any of your acts there, what a great gig."
Michael Jobson, Tour Manager, Doves
"Thank you for looking after my bands. It’s not often I get tour managers reporting back to me saying what a great time they’ve had and how well looked after they’ve been so thanks again on that."
Steve Zapp, ITB Agency
"What a great finish to the Festival Season to be able to play at Bingley Music Live! Great venue, Well Organised, Great Catering, and Wonderful People! Thank you Bingley!"
Peter Wanders , Manager of Craig Charles presents The Fantasy Funk Band
