Music fans are assured of a great festival vibe with the UK’s answer to the Foo Fighters taking to the stage in Chapelfield Gardens for this year’s Lord Mayor’s Weekend 2024.
The annual event is Norwich’s biggest FREE street party, this year taking place on 13 & 14 July. Following the main event of the historic Lord Mayor’s Procession with a full carnival parade making its way through the streets of Norwich on the afternoon of Saturday 13 July, a free to attend open-air music festival will rock the city in the evening.
Headlining will be the UK Foo Fighters, Britain’s biggest Foo Fighters tribute act to the American rock legends. The band has been acknowledged by Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters as ‘England’s premier Foo Fighters tribute band’, with frontman Jay Apperley even being invited up to play on stage with the real band at one of their gigs.
Other live music also lined up to entertain on the day will be a showcase of some of the best bands from Norwich’s thriving music scene, curated in partnership with Voodoo Daddy’s Showroom music venue in London Street and including the talented indie/alternative singer/songwriter Gabby Rivers.
Local blue grass skiffle band The Misfit Collective will be performing in the evening; while local music charity The Black Dog Music Project, which works with people with mental health issues or other disabilities to help build confidence through music, will be offering up afternoon sessions. Other entertainment will be announced.
The Lord Mayor’s Weekend is hosted annually by Norwich City Council and this year takes the theme of ‘Norwich Loves You’. In addition to the historic procession and live music programme, there will also be lots of family-friendly activities going on in Chapelfield Gardens on Saturday 13 July. There will also be a bar area and a food arena showcasing some of the best food and drinks treats from across Norfolk.
The Garage and Young Norfolk Arts will also be presenting entertainment, including a flashmob with public participation, and there will be carnival headdress-making fun, dance workshops, comedy shows, a range of stalls from local organisations and much more.
Plus Chapelfield Gardens will be the end destination for the carnival procession which will start out from Norwich Cathedral at 3pm.
On the afternoon of Sunday 14 July from 2.30pm, The Great Norwich Duck Race will be the big attraction on Riverside as crowds gather to watch ducks racing from Lady Julian Bridge down the Wensum. The charity event is organised by the 1st Norwich Sea Scouts in association with Norwich City Council and a total of £1000 is offered in prizes to the winning duck owners.
Any local groups and organisations who would like to join in the Lord Mayor's Procession, with walking or non-motorised float entries, are encouraged to apply at www.norwich.gov.uk/lmw Norwich City Council has removed all participation fees for schools, community groups, charities and businesses taking part.
Participating groups can contact the council’s Events Team for help with their preparations for their entries. Support ranges from workshops, training or ideas for music, movement, puppets and costumes, to details of how to engage in the three principle aims of noise, height and interaction. Email to events@norwich.gov.uk
There is also a Buzz Day event this Friday (April 26) from 3.30-7.30pm, at 185 Drayton Road NR3 2PG, for anyone thinking of joining the carnival procession, offering help and advice along with costumes, headdresses and other carnival accessories to inspire participants. The event is free to attend, but please book a place be emailing to 185@thecommonlot.org
For more information on the acts, see:
UK Foo Fighters: https://ukfoofighters.co.uk
Gabby Rivers: https://gabbyriversmusic.wixsite.com/my-site
The Misfit Collective: https://themisfitcollective.co.uk
The Black Dog Music Project: https://facebook.com/blackdogmusicproject
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