Nostalgia: A world of music in Stalybridge in 2000

Stalybridge had never seen anything like it - a nine-day festival in a tent with famous names from the world of music, cutting edge comedy and some weird and wonderful speciality acts.

Renaissance 2000 attracted large crowds to the specially created canalside venue at Sandhills. 

Michael Parrott, Tameside’s millennium celebrations organiser, said he wanted to give everyone an opportunity to see ‘superb individual musicians, sublime singer songwriters and new and challenging cabaret performances’ while giving local talent a chance to share the stage.

It was an experience few in the town would ever forget.

The festival got off to a flying start with Geordie folk rockers Lindisfarne, best known for 70s’ classics Meet Me On The Corner, Run For Home and Fog On The Tyne.

‘Cabaret of the Bizarre’ did exactly what it said on the tin with artists such as fire-eating Lucifire who stunned the audience even further as she casually chomped on a lightbulb.

After that, a night of fringe comedy with Mike Martins, The Splott Brothers, The Stretch People and The Invisible Man looked decidedly mainstream.

Later in the week, singer-songwriter Eddi Reader, formerly of Fairground Attraction, was in concert supported by Boo Hewerdine and local act A Top Pop Band.

On the Friday night, 80s’ chart star Howard Jones proved he still had plenty of new songs up his sleeve along with the much-loved hits that the audience - including future Tameside Radio colleagues Andy Hoyle, Mark Alston and myself - wanted to hear.

The final night featured a scintillating performance by saxophonist Snake Davis, a much respected session man who had worked with M People, Eurythmics, Take That and many others.

Main image:

CHART STAR: Howard Jones.