A line-up of 15 Coventry-based artists, who will perform alongside local favourites and global stars at a major festival curated by one of the city’s most treasured musical icons, has been revealed.
This crop of up-and-coming independent artists will share the same stage as the likes of The Libertines, the Lightning Seeds and Massive Attack’s Daddy G with DJ Queen Bee at Terry Hall’s Home Sessions between Thursday July 29 and Sunday August 1 after fending off competition from more than 100 fellow local musicians.
The final group of performers, comprising a wide range of musical genres, will take to the stage as part of the Home Grown segment, which celebrates emerging musical talent originating in Coventry.
The winners will appear alongside Coventry music scene alumni and international performers including The Libertines, Peter Doherty, Roni Size, Lightning Seeds, Jane Weaver, Fat White Family, Horace Andy, Tim Burgess and local DJ/producer Laur.ra after sending in video auditions via YouTube and Soundcloud.
A total of 125 artists applied, with the judging panel of Terry Hall and his creative producer Suzanne Bisset, singer/songwriter Peter Doherty, Strap Originals producer Jai Stanley, Letitia George, presenter of BBC CWR and Sarah Morgan, director, Tin Music & Arts selecting their favourites.
The complete Home Grown line-up includes: Godiva Festival regular Alex Harry; solo-artist Robbie RAPS; house DJ Starkeye; singer-songwriter Nicky Ager as well as soulful acoustic folk singer Izzie Derry; Ukrainian folk band Cov Kozaks; underground DJ Whitehouse; Coventry’s Got Talent winner Katie McAuley; punk-influenced five-piece Duck Thieves; duo ROSSO; rap artist Whizzy; DJ collectives Humans on Wax and Ghost Town; vocalist Abz Winter and reggae-inspired group, Barbdwire.
Terry Hall, lead singer of legendary 2Tone band The Specials, said: “I remember all too well how difficult it was to get a break into the industry in the early days. There’s a lot of local talent and I’d like to help give a hand up into the industry where I can.”
Judge Peter Doherty, of The Libertines, said: “Now, more than ever, the next generation of musicians need our support. Live music is back in Coventry and the scene here is thriving. We’re proud to base our label in the area.”
The artists will perform throughout the four-day City of Culture festival, which takes place in iconic city centre venues.
As well as the iconic twin venues of Coventry Cathedral Ruins, destroyed in the Blitz during WWII and the new Cathedral, a mid-century masterpiece next door, the festival will also take over the brand-new HMV Empire, a brand-new state-of-the-art gig venue located nearby in Hertford Street.
Sarah Morgan, director of The Tin Music & Arts, Coventry Canal Basin, said: “We are so excited to be able to showcase some of the best emerging talent the city has to offer alongside established stars at Home Sessions.
“The artists chosen reflect a wide range of musical backgrounds and styles and we were blown away by the number of high-quality submissions we received.
“This festival will demonstrate the innate connection that the people of Coventry have with musical forms of expression, and I would not be surprised to see our final 15 go home with an expanded fan base after their performances.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for them to show off their talent and we are incredibly grateful for the enthusiasm that people are showing for Home Sessions.”
For more information visit coventry2021.co.uk
HOME GROWN SUPPORT ACTS CONFIRMED LINE-UP
Thursday 29 July, Cathedral Ruins, 6.30pm
Home Sessions: Roni Size & Dread MC+ Felix Hall + Jossy Mitsu + Special Guest
Home Grown Support Act: Robbie Raps (Rapper)
Thursday 29 July Coventry Cathedral, 7.00pm
Home Sessions: Lau.ra + Guests Nova, Eliza Legzinda and Secaina + Whitey DJ Set
Home Grown Support Act: Starkeye (DJ)
Friday 30 July, Cathedral Ruins, 6.00pm
Home Sessions: Lightning Seeds + Eccentronic Research Council ft. Maxine Peake
Home Grown Support Act: Alex Harry
Friday 30 July, Cathedral Ruins, 7.00pm
Home Sessions: Murray Lachlan Young Presents The Edge Of Reason + Sangita Lakhanpal + Blabbermouth featuring Lu Edmonds (Pil) + Mark Roberts
Home Grown Support Act: Cov Kozaks
Friday 30 July, Cathedral Ruins, 11.30pm
Home Sessions: Midnight at the Ruins: UNKLE presents Ronin
Home Grown Support Act: Whitehouse
Saturday 31 July, Coventry Cathedral, 12.00pm
Home Sessions: Peter Doherty
Home Grown Support Act: Katie McAuley
Saturday 31 July, Cathedral Ruins, 2.30pm
Home Sessions: Jane Weaver + Riding The Low
Home Grown Support Act: Duck Thieves
Saturday 31 July, Coventry Cathedral, 4.30pm
Home Sessions: John Grant
Home Grown Support Act: Izzie Derry
Saturday 31 July, HMV Empire Coventry 9.30pm
Home Sessions: The Pop Group vs Dennis Bovell: World Premiere of 'Y In Dub'
Home Grown Support Act: Whitehouse
Saturday 31 July, Cathedral Ruins, 11.30pm
Home Sessions: Midnight at the Ruins: Daddy G (Massive Attack) + Queen Bee DJ set
Home Grown Support Act: Whizzy
Sunday 1 August, Coventry Cathedral, 11.00am
Home Sessions: Bill Drummond Presents a Screening of ‘Best Before Death’ and performs his new play ‘White Saviour Complex’
Home Grown Support Act: Nicky Ager
Sunday 1 August, Cathedral Ruins, 1.30pm
Home Sessions: Blues 2 Go Featuring Horace Panter + Nadia Javed (The Tuts)
Home Grown Support Act: Barbdwire (7-piece band)
Sunday 1 August, HMV Empire, 1.30pm
Home Sessions: Tim Burgess Listening Party with Terry Hall And Guests
Sunday 1 August, Cathedral Ruins, 5.30pm
Home Sessions: Fat White Family + Tim Burgess
Home Grown Support Act: Humans on Wax
Sunday 1 August, Coventry Cathedral, 7.30pm
Home Sessions: Alan McGee presents Death Disco featuring Pam Hogg + Special Guest DJs
Home Grown Support Act: Abz Winter
Sunday 1 August, HMV Empire, 7.30pm
Home Sessions: Don Letts + Rhoda Dakar + Jazzie B
Home Grown Support Act: Ghost Town
Sunday 1 August, Cathedral Ruins, 9.15pm
Home Sessions: The Libertines
Home Grown Support Act: Rosso