The return of music festival Whitby Rising

Whitby knows how to stage a music festival. From Whitby Folk Week in August to autumn’s Musicport and the regular Soul Weekenders, it’s a town which has long had a passion for live performance. However, even in an already packed calendar there is always room for one more and the newest festival to join these already impressive ranks is Whitby Rising Music Festival.

Launched for the first time last year as a more laidback alternative to some of the bigger music festivals where just walking between stages can require a packed lunch, the day-long event is due to return this summer.

While keeping to its small-is-beautiful philosophy, such was the interest last year it is moving to a slightly bigger site on Stripes Farm in Hawsker Lane and as a result there will now be the opportunity to camp to get the full festival experience.

This family-friendly festival is the brainchild of local singer-songwriter Alistair Griffin. Already an established songwriter before he appeared on the BBC’s Fame Academy in 2003, he has since achieved numerous notable successes, including writing Just Drive, the title track for Sky Sports’ F1 coverage and penning the official song for the Tour de Yorkshire. Most of the year he can be found gigging around the country, but while his career has taken him to countless places, Griffin has always been keen to bring great music back to Whitby, where he went to school.

“There’s lots going on in Whitby in the summer, but nothing quite like this,” he says. “It’s a chance to shine a light on Whitby and provide a platform for its talented musicians, its character and its culture. We do want to look to grow the festival, but the community will always be at the heart of the event because that’s what makes it different.”

This year the festival has more of everything. More stuff to do, more things to eat and drink, more music to listen to and get involved with, more children’s fun and more room. There will be lots of entertainment to keep the young ones busy with bubble parties, climbing walls, face painting, bouncy castles, glitter art, five-a-side, mini discos, pirate tales and more to be announced.

For grown ups there will be the Prosecco Bar, a Whitby Rising Ale courtesy of Whitby Brewery, henna tattoos, a karaoke tent and festival stalls. The musical line up is headlined once more by Griffin with acts from near and far.

“This year we have already confirmed performances from Beth McCarthy, who was a finalist in The Voice,” says Griffin. “There will also be a chance to see X Factor’s Abi Alton perform, alongside Whitby favourites Eight Feet High and Moonwreck, York’s Moonshine Creek plus Lockwood Brass and a host of others.

“Putting on a festival is a big task, but we’re ready to work hard to make it a success. However, you do need everyone pulling together, so we’re keen for everyone to get behind the festival in its early years to build it into something that we can all be proud of.

“At the moment we are looking for volunteers to help with marshalling and car park duties and less glamorously we also need clear up crew. If anyone is interested, in exchange for a few hours’ labour, you can get a free ticket for the festival and we’ll also throw in a bacon sandwich or some beers.”

The Whitby Rising Cup will once more be up for grabs at a pre-festival crazy golf tournament. There are a limited number of free tickets for 12 and unders.

The event will take place on Saturday, July 22 and doors open at 11am. Tickets are available from thelittleboxoffice.com/WhitbyRising and also from Abigail’s in Flowergate. Anyone interested in volunteering can email [email protected].

This year the festival is raising money for the Wetwheels Foundation, a charity providing disabled people with the chance to access the sea using specially modified, fully accessible powerboats. Founded in Portsmouth in 2011, the organisation is now looking to open its first Yorkshire centre in Bridlington. According to its own research, more than 80 per cent of Wetwheels’ participants have never previously been on the sea.