Rebecca Ferguson to Headline Watford’s Big Summer Sounds

The one-day jazz and folk music event on Sunday 17th May on The Parade by the pond as the Big Events series continues into its second year.

The headline act of Big Summer Sounds– X Factor star Rebecca Ferguson – will take to the stage near the pond at 8.15pm.  She will serenade the crowd with songs from her third album, a remake of Billie Holiday’s Lady Sings The Blues, to which she gives her own unique flavour in her recently-released third album.

Joining Rebecca is a range of talented acts, including some well-loved favourites on the folk and jazz circuits, while others are fresh-faced and up-and-coming.  The stage will also offer a platform to Watford Folk Club, and young band Midnight Trio who are from the town’s West Herts College. Maia – a psychedelic ‘sci-fi folk pop’ band and award-winning live act – will play at 5.00pm, followed by energetic, yellow-suited Britain’s Got Talent boogiers The Jive Aces.

Will Fletcher, drummer for Maia, said: “I have been listening to the new Rebecca Ferguson single and I’m very surprised by how jazzy it is. Big Summer Sounds is an interesting mix of acts, including jazz and folk. It’s a free event too, so it should be brilliant.”

Ian Clarkson from The Jive Aces added: “We love the festivals – seeing the other bands and hearing music that we would not normally listen to. My friend used to live in Watford and I would go there a lot and go to all the rock and roll clubs. We can’t wait to come back!”

To top it all, the outdoor event is absolutely free. So pack a picnic, get the kids off the consoles and head to Big Summer Sounds!

Head of Culture and Play, Gary Oliver said: “We’re delighted that such a massive talent like Rebecca Ferguson is coming to Watford to kick off our new Big Events. It’s wonderful that residents can see such a huge performer for free in the heart of their town. Big Summer Sounds brings together local and national talent and is a fantastic celebration of our commitment to culture and the arts.”

Rebecca Ferguson

Rebecca Ferguson’s 2010 debut album Heaven was released to overwhelming critical acclaim and went on to sell a million copies. Critics have compared her incredible voice to Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone and Macy Gray, with The Times saying that her debut “scaled the heights of Dusty Springfield’s career high ‘Dusty in Memphis'”.

Apple of My Eye 

      Ronnie Scott's All Stars          

The full line-up is:

1.00pm - Apple of my Eye

2.15pm - Watford Folk Club

3.15pm - Soothsayers

4.00pm - Midnight Trio

5.00pm - Maia

6.00pm - The Jive Aces

7.15pm - Ronnie Scott's All Stars

8.15pm - Rebecca Ferguson

Soothsayers

Maia

Big Summer Sounds is part of the Watford Big Event series, a programme of cultural events provided by Watford Borough Council and Watford Palace Theatre.

The next event in the Watford Big Events series will be The Big Festival, taking place from 19th June – 5th July. This summer local will meet global as two of Watford’s biggest arts festivals, Watford Live and Imagine Watford, come together alongside a weekend offering from Watford Colosseum for 17 days of extraordinary live experiences.