Alistair Griffin plays it safe with show on a Skipton barge

Gigs and festivals may be cancelled this year, but that does not mean live music cannot still be enjoyed at a safe distance.

York-based singer Alistair Griffin hit his home county yesterday as part of an unprecedented socially-distanced tour where fans can choose where he plays.

Performing from a barge on the canal in Skipton, Mr Griffin drew plenty of attention.

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The Yorkshire Post revealed last month how the singer decided to organise his own tour performing in people’s back gardens and driveways.

Singer/songwriter Alaister Griffin performs on a Narrow Boat in Skipton Canal Basin as part of his Tour of Social Distance.Singer/songwriter Alaister Griffin performs on a Narrow Boat in Skipton Canal Basin as part of his Tour of Social Distance.
Singer/songwriter Alaister Griffin performs on a Narrow Boat in Skipton Canal Basin as part of his Tour of Social Distance.

The tour, which kicked off this week with a gig at Runswick Bay, also in North Yorkshire, has three dates penned in which are more public, including yesterday’s show on the narrow boat which was watched by around 200 people all at a safe distance.

Mr Griffin, 42, said there would be 17 shows overall.

“It is all being done within the guidelines, of course,” he said.

“There are three public shows in Runswick Bay, today’s in Skipton, and in Norfolk. But I’ll also be playing in people’s back gardens.”

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Mr Griffin broke on to the music scene after winning BBC’s Fame Academy in 2003 and has had two top 20 hit singles.

He added: “With venues mostly closed for the foreseeable future, it’s very difficult to perform live at the moment, so I’m taking the shows to people rather than them coming to me.”

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