Tonbridge Calling Festival, A PhotoStory

by | Aug 21, 2017

Hundreds turned out in the glorious sunshine for the second year of Tonbridge Calling Festival on Saturday 12 August. The free, unticketed  event was set within an open park and seamlessly run by a team of 40 volunteers. It was set up last year with the vision of bringing a message of  unity to the town and strengthening community spirit. A diverse array of sounds, rythyms and culinary delights was provided for all.

Pengenista Drummers (Laura Chesson)

Pengenista Drummers Open Tonbridge Calling (Laura Chesson)

The energetic Penge community samba reggae band Pengenista Drummers woke up the town with their vibrant Brazilian Bahia rhythms as they marched along the river to the main festival stage.

Pengenista Drummers (Laura Chesson)

Pengenista Drummers (Laura Chesson)

The festival opened with Petits Bijoux playing on the main stage, a French Chanson duet. French-born singer, France charmed the audience with her thoughtful, expressive repertoire which was reminiscent of that found in quaint Parisian cafes. Joining her was the talented accordion player, Christine in what was their first official gig together.

Petits Bijoux (Laura Chesson)

Petits Bijoux (Laura Chesson)

Petits Bijoux (Laura Chesson)

Musical ‘mixologist’ trio, The Violet Jive were next up with a heady, colourful cocktail of covers and originals. Festival-goers were treated to an hour of exotic swing, rock ‘n’ roll and latino rhythms whilst they soaked up long-awaited August sun.

The Violet Jive (Laura Chesson)

The Violet Jive (Laura Chesson)

The Violet Jive (Laura Chesson)

The Violet Jive (Laura Chesson)

The Violet Jive (Laura Chesson)

The Violet Jive (Laura Chesson)

Broadstairs based Hobo and the Hippies got feet stomping, toes tapping and the crowd swaying with their cheeky original tunes filled with catchy melodic harmonies and an unforgettable dose of nonchalant pirate swagger.

Hobo and the Hippies (Laura Chesson)

Hobo and the Hippies (Laura Chesson)

Hobo and the Hippies (Laura Chesson)

Hobo and the Hippies (Laura Chesson)

Hips were swinging by mid-afternoon to the wild, infectious mix of Latin covers and original tunes from seven-piece ‘Salsa dura’ band, Salsadelic from Tunbridge Wells.

Salsadelic (Laura Chesson)

Salsadelic (Laura Chesson)

Salsadelic (Laura Chesson)

Salsadelic (Laura Chesson)

Lazlo Baby, a four-piece band hailing from Eastern Stockport closed the festival and got revellers up dancing with their exuberant mix of high energy Balkan feel folksy ska numbers.

Lazlo Baby (Laura Chesson)

Lazlo Baby (Laura Chesson)

Revellers dancing as Lazlo Baby headlined the festival (Laura Chesson)

Revellers dancing as Lazlo Baby headlined the festival (Laura Chesson)

Lazlo Baby (Laura Chesson)

Lazlo Baby (Laura Chesson)

The day was a huge success with something for everyone thanks to the support from local organisations, businesses, entertainers, musicians and food vendors. As the festival gains momentum and firmly places itself into the town’s social calendar, plans are already underway for next year.

Photo Story by Laura Chesson at Tonbridge Calling, Racecourse Park, August 12th 2017

https://rockshotmagazine.com/28160/live-y-not-festival-2017/

 

Jeff Lynne Cancels Final ELO Show At BST Hyde Park 2025 Following Illness

In a heartbreaking development for fans, Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) have cancelled what was set to be their final ever UK performance at BST Hyde Park on Sunday 13 July 2025. The decision follows Lynne’s continued ill health and comes just days after the group’s second show at Manchester’s Co-op Live on 10th July was pulled moments before showtime, after the venue had already filled with fans. Lynne, 77, has been battling a systemic infection and is now under close medical supervision.

Olivia Dean @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Olivia Dean Warms A Damp Hyde Park With Soulful Resilience At BST Hyde Park 2025

Though clouds still loomed and the ground remained squelchy underfoot, Olivia Dean brought a welcome calm and undeniable warmth to BST Hyde Park’s Great Oak Stage on Sunday afternoon. Following a weather-disrupted opening set by Amber Mark — whose performance was cut short by a torrential downpour — Dean arrived as the skies cleared, bringing poise, polish, and powerful vocals to a crowd that refused to let a bit of British summer rain dampen their spirits.

Clairo @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Clairo Brings Soft Focus And Dreamy Intimacy To The Great Oak Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

In the golden lull between a dramatic afternoon downpour and Sabrina Carpenter’s headline pop spectacle, Clairo turned London’s Great Oak Stage into a sanctuary of softness and reflection. Her early evening performance at BST Hyde Park on Sunday 6th July offered a tender contrast to the festival’s typically high-energy crescendo, inviting the crowd into a quieter, more introspective space.

Jessie Murph (Press)

Jessie Murph Announces Bold New Album ‘Sex Hysteria’, Shares Vulnerable New Single ‘Bad As The Rest’

Boundary-breaking rising star Jessie Murph has unveiled her latest single Bad As The Rest, offering a raw and emotionally charged glimpse into her upcoming sophomore album Sex Hysteria, due out on 18th July via Columbia Records.

The Jacques (Nick Sayers)

The Jacques Announce Riotous New Single ‘All The Other Sinners’ Ahead of Second Album ‘Make Repetition!’

London/Bristol alt-rock trio The Jacques are ramping up momentum ahead of their second album Make Repetition! with the release of their blistering new single All The Other Sinners — a searing, melody-drenched slice of chaos and catharsis out now.

Cam @ The Tabernacle (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Cam Captivates London With A Night Of Raw Vocals And Real Stories At The Tabernacle

In a sweltering Tabernacle, a somehow both vast and intimate venue, a sweat-soaked audience filled every seat for...
J.Fla (Press)

J.Fla Redefines Herself With Empowering New Single ‘Stellar Paradox’

South Korean singer-songwriter and YouTube sensation J.Fla has taken a giant leap into the cosmos with her newest release, Stellar Paradox, marking the start of a bold new chapter in her musical journey. Known to millions for her viral YouTube covers, J.Fla now turns the spotlight firmly onto her own voice with a genre-blending, emotionally charged original that paves the way for her highly anticipated upcoming EP, due in late summer 2025.

Chloe Qisha @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Chloe Qisha Closes The Rainbow Stage In Style At BST Hyde Park 2025

After a tempestuous afternoon that saw Hyde Park lashed by torrential rain and set times thrown into flux, it was Chloe Qisha who restored the calm — and then brought the fire — as she closed the Rainbow Stage on Sunday evening with a confident, emotionally astute set that proved worth the wait.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing