Eastleigh rocks

His Rock 'n' Rolf live show brought the first Eastleigh Summer Music Festival to a rousing end. Rolf, who has chalked up more than 50 years in showbiz, is in his element when appearing live.

The multi-talented entertainer has a wonderful rapport with his audience. He won a new army of fans at Glastonbury where he was voted the festival's best entertainer.

Rolf was so impressed with the warmth of the Eastleigh Festival, which was launched two years ago, that he wanted to come back. And organisers and his army of Eastleigh fans welcomed him with open arms.

Now it has turned into an open invitation to an entertainer who has become as much part of the British way of life as roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.

And Rolf will be taking centre stage at the new look Eastleigh Summer Festival which runs from Thursday August 4 to Sunday August 7 and also stars Scottish superstars The Proclaimers.

Rolf and his band will headline the Picnic in The Park concert on Sunday August 7 at Eastleigh's Fleming Park.

The concert is part of the festival which is being backed by Eastleigh Council and Hampshire County Council.

Up to 50,000 people are expected to flock to the all-day Picnic in the Park which feature eight top bands, plus a crafts fayre, international food fayre, children's entertainers and real ale bar.

Previous Picnic in the Park concerts starring Jools Holland and Will Young have proved very popular and event organisers expect Rolf to be just as big a draw.

Event organiser Peter Chegwyn says Rolf had proved to be the most popular performer he has worked with in more than 15 years of promoting concerts.

He said: "Rolf Harris is probably Britain's best loved all round entertainer. His Rock 'n' Roll live show is quite unique and since his headline appearances at the Glastonbury Festival he has attracted audiences ranging in age from eight to 80.

"The Picnic in the Park concert allows people to bring a picnic and enjoy a great day out in a parkland setting with ten hours of top quality live music plus a host of other attractions."

Organisers say that weekend ticket sales are currently running at record levels, given a big boost by the TV coverage of the Glastonbury and Live8 Festivals.

Mr Chegwyn says: "Seven of the bands that appeared on the main stages at Glastonbury are appearing at Eastleigh as are The Proclaimers who appeared at the Scottish Live8 event at Murrayfield.

"We are currently selling tickets all over Britain and Europe. The festival looks set to be the biggest live music festival in Hampshire for many years and is certain to provide a major boost to the local Eastleigh economy."

The opening night on Thursday August 4 is in aid of Eastleigh mayor Councillor Bernie Wright's civic charity appeal and will be headlined by Pink Floyd tribute band, Perfect Alibi and ska band, 2-Tonic.

Completing the line-up Sticklebach will be recreating the 80s rock anthems of iconic bands such as Guns 'n' Roses, Bon Jovi and Queen.

On the following night The Saw Doctors will be flying in from Ireland for a one-off show at Eastleigh before setting off two days later on an American tour.

Other headliners are Kosheen and Country Joe McDonald who appeared in the legendary Woodstock and Monterey pop festivals in the late 60s.

Taking centre stage on Saturday will be The Proclaimers. The twins' musical passion began after a childhood spent in Edinburgh, Cornwall and Auchtermuchty in Fife.

It is 18 years ago since they made their legendary TV debut on The Tube performing that classic song Letter from America.

The star-studded line-up also includes the late John Peel's favourite band, The Undertones and from America Hayseed Dixie, who appeared on BBC TV coverage of the Glastonbury Festival.

Eastleigh will also be welcoming Peatbog Faeries, top Celtic band from the Isle of Sky and Michael McGoldrick, probably the finest Irish piper in the world.

Top multi-award winning Irish band, Lunasa, will be flying in from Europe for a one-off show at Eastleigh.

Sharing the Sunday stage with Rolf will be Beth Nielson Chapman, leading American song-writer based in Nashville whose songs have been recorded by Elton John, Bette Midler, Roberta Flack, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Neil Diamond and many others.

The line-up also includes Capercaillie, million-selling Gaelic music band; Bellowhead, winners of the best live band at this year's BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and Ashley Hutchings, seminal figure in British folk rock for nearly 40 years and founder of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and The Albion Band.