Dave Sweetmore column: The big festival was back with a bang

Tameside Radio presenter Dave Sweetmore recently attended Spike Island and shares his incredible experience of the event.

With restrictions finally lifted after what seemed like a never ending 16 months, the first weekend back for the hospitality and entertainment industries was always going to be a special one.

On the festival circuit, some events had already been cancelled, but a select few around the UK went ahead, with the two weeks’ notice of lockdown ending given, time was spent building sites and preparing.

There was no festival more anticipated though than Spike Island – The Resurrection.

An event which was meant to take place last year to celebrate 30 years since The Stone Roses played the iconic gig, it had been moved to this year, and the Lightbulb Festivals team behind the day were keen to make sure it went ahead.

No event had been held on the Island, not far from Widnes, since 1990. Headlined by Stone Roses tribute ‘The Clone Roses’, who have now after more than 20 years performing, truly cemented their place as one of the biggest tribute bands in the world, the day could not have gone any better as far as the show went.

Any negative remarks asking should such a legendary gig be recreated by tribute bands were silenced, this event wasn’t just any tribute band, it was a line up of professional musicians who know the importance of getting the show they performed just right.

It was one of the best events held in my almost 30 years of working at live events, and those who were there had one of the best days of their lives.

No one left just happy, they left ecstatic. The event had sold 15,000 tickets before the gates opened, and original Stone Roses bass player Mani had sent text messages to the band before and after the event, saying good luck, and then how proud he was. I’ve worked with The Clone Roses as a DJ and host at their gigs for more than 20 years.

This event gave me such a heartwarming and happy feeling, seeing how far the band have come over the years, with the hard work and perfection to their show in which they have created.

I was proud and privileged to be DJing at and hosting Spike Island 2021, and alongside other DJ’s Happy Mondays Bez and Arlo Berry, Inspiral Carpets Clint Boon, 808 States tour DJ Nick, and MC tunes, as well as other leading Manchester tribute bands Oas-is, Happy Mondaze, True Order, The Smiths Ltd, and The James Experience, we had a day in which dreams are made of.

I have no doubt that Spike Island - The Resurrection will go down in history and be remembered in the same way 1990’s Spike Island has, and that all bands and DJs, especially The Clone Roses, must be feeling very proud. I know I certainly am.

A big thank you to Gav, Tony, Baggy and Phil of The Clone Roses for making the event happen, also to all of the staff who worked on the event.

The VIP area was hosted and run by Rick Lees and his team at Gustaf Creative (Saddleworth), and has to be the best looking and most professionally run VIP area I’ve ever seen, again just showing the high standard which was given to the day.

Thank you also to everyone who was at the event, and created the best atmosphere ever from start to finish, and are part of a now historical event.

What a day. After 16 months of devastation to the live music industry, Spike Island – The Resurrection was just what we needed, and so much more.

You can listen to Dave on Tameside Radio 103.6FM on Monday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. Click here to subscribe and catch up on previous shows.

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