FIREFEST VI – PRESS RELEASE

We’d originally said that Firefest V was going to be the last one, and with the current state of the economy, both in the UK and abroad, maybe the sensible thing would have been to stick to what we said and go back to our normal lives. However, the support and encouragement we’ve had from melodic rock fans everywhere has been overwhelming, and after a few weeks of rest and recuperation "the show none of us wanted to do" became "the show that some of us wanted to do", and then with everyone finally back on board it was full steam ahead for Firefest VI.

With lessons learned from last year’s gruelling two-day marathon, Firefest VI returns to the traditional Friday evening & full day Saturday format. Here are the details…

Venues and dates

Firefest VI will take place in Nottingham on the weekend of Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th October. Five bands will play at the Trent University Students Union on Friday 23rd, with eight bands in the main room at Rock City on Saturday 24th.

Line-up

Friday 23rd (Top to bottom)

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• The Swedish melodic rock masters make a welcome return to Firefest after a 3 year absence. Their excellent set at Firefest III was immortalised on DVD as part of their ‘Scratch ‘n’ Bite’ re-issue, so we didn’t need much of an excuse to ask back one of the premier bands in Swedish Hard Rock history.
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• Bad Habit’s previous appearance at the Firefest III warm-up show was an acoustic set, but this time we have the full band. Their superb new album ‘Above And Beyond’ has just been released and is a great addition to a very strong back catalogue. This time they aim to show us what they can really do.
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• Probably the most talked about band in the scene at the moment, H.E.A.T. were disappointed that they couldn’t do their full show last year and return with singer Kenny Leckremo to finish the job. They were the most requested band on the many wish-lists we were sent.
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• If you enjoyed singer Erik Martensson’s stand-in performance with H.E.A.T. last year, his own band Eclipse are every bit as worthy of your attention. With three great hard rock albums under their belts, including last year’s phenomenal ‘Are You Ready To Rock’, we’re sure they’ll hold their own amongst their Swedish companions.
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• One of the hardest working and most consistent bands in the UK, Lost Weekend are well overdue an appearance at one of our shows. With the impressive ‘Fear And Innocence’ CD just released, who better to kick off the weekend and set the bar high from the start?

  Saturday 24th October (Top to bottom)

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  • FM’s headlining performance at Firefest IV was originally intended to be the launchpad to get the UK’s most popular melodic rock band back to regular touring. Unfortunately guitarist Andy Barnett couldn’t commit, so with new guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick in the band we’re delighted to have the genuine crowd pleasers back.
  • HONEYMOON SUITE
  • A band that needs no introduction ...
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  • There’s been quite a few years and a couple of albums since Crown Of Thorns last graced a UK stage, so what better time to invite Michael Paige, Hawk Lopez, Tommy Lafferty and the great Jean Beauvoir to the party? Your e-mails and letters tell us that the flamboyant US band have certainly been missed.
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  • One of the success stories of Firefest V, L.A’s White Sister’s incredible show thrilled long-time fans and gained the band plenty of new ones. By the time October comes around they’ll have their first new album in over 20 years for sale at the festival, so expect a mixture of songs old and new.
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  • On the strength of Rock Candy’s re-issue of their iconic debut album, renewed interest in female fronted UK band Romeo’s Daughter has persuaded them to reform. With original members Leigh Matty, Craig Joiner and Tony Mittman all involved we’re expecting them to be one of the surprises of the weekend.
  • DRIVE, SHE SAID
  • Keyboard wizard Mark Mangold has certainly made some classy music over the years, of which his collaboration with vocalist extraordinaire Al Fritsch in Drive, She Said is certainly one of the best. Making their first UK appearance since the early nineties they’re sure to cement their place in AOR history.
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  • Mixing things up a little, the good-time crunch of The Poodles is tailor made for a festival like ours and we’re certain that the Swedes will win over anyone not already a fan. The Jakob Samuel fronted outfit are one of the best live bands on the circuit and won’t take any prisoners.
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  • Probably the most surprising name on the bill, the 80’s UK melodic rockers were originally signed to Atlantic records in a deal said to be worth in excess of £500,000. Their one and only Beau Hill-produced album, ‘Shaft Of Light’, was recently re-issued on CD and original members Laurie Mansworth, Toby Sadler, Keith Murrell and possibly even Jason Bonham will be kicking off Saturday’s entertainment.

  Tickets & Prices

  Payments Accepted : Cash (at sender’s risk), personal cheque (UK only), postal order (UK only), or International bank draft in Pounds Sterling made payable to: Bruce Mee c/o Fireworks Magazine, 10 Dunnock Close, Offerton, Stockport, SK2 5XD, England. Payment can also be made through Paypal to fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com. Please be sure to include your name and address in the message box.

  A full list of other tickets agents will be made available shortly.