Thank you for the Music

How do we beat this?
For the second year running the crowd turned out in their thousands to watch the finale to the Stone Music Festival.
By the time 70's tribute bands Ballroom Glitz and Abba Gold took to the stage there was not a standing space to be had in the High Street.
Throughout the 3 day festival - that opened at 5 o clock on Friday - the High Street was awash with music lovers.

The event started on Friday with the combined school choir led by Mary Gale. Stoke City legend Terry Conroy officially opened the festival at 6pm.
As part of his opening address he said - with his cheeky irish accent

"I have spoken to the man up there" (pointing to heaven) "and he has promised good weather".

How right he was and how lucky we were. It was almost as if we had a ring of steel around the town with the predicted bad weather seemingly moving around Stone.
Friday evening saw the local talent of Gemma Moss and Paul Dennis, Manchester band the Ambush and the finale by another well known local band Lost Dog.
Taking a different turn from last year another local band "The Blueshound" - packed the Crown Hotel which saw its best trade for a long time.
This was the least that we could do given the support of both the Blueshounds in last years festival and the very strong support provided by the Crown Hotel throughout the weekend - thanks Keith!

On the Saturday, well over 23 buskers plied their music in glorious sunshine and Paul Walker presided over his showcase bringing together some of the best of his open mike sessions from around the region.
Some great artists kept the town entertained throughout the day which was rounded off with a classic performance from Holt and Day - from former Stafford Hit band 'Climax Blues Band'.
It was at this time that we saw the only bit of really bad weather but one memory that will remain for ever is our duo playing "Hi Ho Sliver Lining .... when the Sun is Shining" .... with many hundreds of watchers not worried about the downpour and swinging their brollies to the great music.

Well - Sunday was a stunner.

From the very beginning with a great performance from those young people at the Clifford Project through to the Abba tribute, a great family day was had by all.

So Stone - do we do it again?? Let us know your thoughts and your wishes through our website.

So thank you Stone for coming in your droves - thank you Stone for being generous with our buckets (much needed support if we are going to do it again) and - to our artists one and all - "Thank you for the Music!"