SCORCHING heat didn’t stop festival-goers, as Solihull Summer Fest marked its 10th anniversary.
It all began on Thursday with Solihull’s Open Air Cinema, showing Better Man* alongside a live performance from JK as Robbie Williams.
On Friday, Disco Classical made its Solihull debut, bringing iconic disco anthems to life with a full orchestra, incredible vocalists, DJs and dancers.
Then, the celebrations continued with the festival returning to Tudor Grange Park over the weekend, where the stage played host to over 20 acts, including Craig David, JLS, Culture Club, Fleur East and Gabrielle.
Organiser Ian Rogers told the Observer: “From the very beginning, there were challenges, difficult lessons and moments when it felt as though the dream might never become a reality.
“The project lost more than £250,000 in year one, and at one stage I found myself renting a room in someone else’s house just to keep going.
“It has been an emotional, financial and mental rollercoaster, but somewhere along the way, we fell completely in love with the event and with what we had created.
“Our town suddenly had its own credible music festival. Tudor Grange Park was firmly placed on the music map, and over the last decade we have had the privilege of welcoming some truly special artists.
“Culture Club, Craig David, Olly Murs, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, The Jacksons, Shaggy, Five, The Human League, Ronan Keating, Billy Ocean, Blue, JLS, Sister Sledge, Kool & The Gang… the list goes on and on.”
He paid tribute to the audience, saying none of it would be possible without their support.
“The people who buy the tickets, turn up year after year, support us, believe in us and trust us to create something special for Solihull.
“I genuinely cannot believe it has been 10 years. There have been incredible highs, painful lows, unforgettable performances and thousands of memories made along the way.
“Solihull Summer Fest has become so much more than an event. It has become part of our lives, part of our town and part of our story.
“Here’s to the next 10 years.”
