By Duncan Eaton
IT is simply the best and biggest copycat music show on the south coast.
Hundreds of music fans will be converging on Eastleigh’s Concorde Club as some of the world’s finest tribute acts salute a galaxy of multi-million selling recording stars.
The Concorde’s Jamie Mathieson, who is the driving force behind PhoneyFEST, is delighted with the way the event has grown.
He said: “People come from far and wide. It is a bit of fun and people like to compare the tribute acts with the real thing.”
PhoneyFEST is entering its sixth year and Jamie says: “It is bigger and better with 54 acts gracing 3 stages this year!
“The acts range from Irish rock legends Thin Lizzy to the late legend Michael Jackson, soul legends The Stylistic to 90s heartthrobs Take That, Ed Sheeran to Whitney, Lady Gaga to the Beatles PhoneyFEST has it all and more!
PhoneyFEST has become so popular that it is now spread across four days over the Bank Holiday from Friday May 27 to Monday May 30 including a family day.
This marathon salute to the chartbusting superstars is as near as you can get to the real thing.
Main sponsors are the Snows Group and the glittering tribute event has become such a permanent fixture on the festival circuit that PhoneyFEST has its own T-shirt.
It is appropriate that the curtain raiser to this year’s festival should be a tribute to David Bowie, whose death from cancer at the start of the year shook the rock world.
The 69 year-old who was described as the Picasso of Pop was one of the most influential musicians of his era.
Among the tribute line-up is the very talented Laura Jane Butler who is the UK’s number one Amy Winehouse tribute. She bears an uncanny resemblance to the soul superstar who died four years ago.
There will also be a chance for festival fans to have stars in their eyes with Rockaoke sessions.
And you can sleep under the stars with Glamping – luxury tents – provided in the festival grounds.
The running order is – Friday (on The Concorde Stage) DAVID BOWIE , AMY WINEHOUSE, MADNESS, ROD STEWART and THIN LIZZY.
Saturday ( on the Snows Stage) MICK HUCKNALL, CHER, MEATLOAF, REM, ROCKAOKE, TOM JONES, THE BEATLES, THE EAGLES and BLONDIE
On the Fig Stage: JESSIE J, NEIL DIAMOND LADY GAGA and MICHAEL BUBLE.
On the Concorde Stage: KAISER MONKEY KILLERS, FREDDIE MERCURY, BLACK EYED PEAS, PINK and KINGS OF LEON
SUNDAY (ON THE SNOWS STAGE) FROZEN
PALOMA FAITH, OLLY MURS,KATY PERRY, TAYLOR SWIFT
ED SHEERAN, ROCKAOKE, BRUNO MARS, WHITNEY HOUSTON ANDGREEN DAY
On the Fig Stage: ADELE, SHANIA TWAIN, BOY GEORGE and Lady Gaga.
On the Concorde Stage: JERSEY BOYS, TAKE THAT with ROBBIE, GEORGE MICHAEL, MICHAEL JACKSON and NOWS THAT WHAT I CALL 90s DANCE
Monday (ON THE SNOWS STAGE) LIONEL RICHIE, DIANA ROSS,RAY CHARLES
STRUMPET TOWN, JAMES BROWN, BEYONCE, ROCKAOKE AND RUFUS STONE
On the Concorde Stage: RIHANNA, ROY G HEMMINGS AND THE STYLISTICS
*For more details ring 02380613989 or visit www.theconcordeclub.com
*WIN TICKETS FOR PHONEYFEST:
The Daily Echo has 5 pairs of weekend passes to PhoneyFEST to give away.
Simply answer the following question: What day of phoneyFEST is George Michael tribute Rob Lamberti performing?
Email your answer and your full name, address and telephone number/s to: hilary.porter@dailyecho.co.uk
Answers to reach us by midnight on Monday May 2.
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