The Extons guitarist says he's raring to go for live music festival

Despite the recent Covid-19 restrictions, a West Norfolk music festival is going ahead this weekend with plenty of excited bands and fans alike.

Organised by Lynn-based promoters Twisted Melon, the ‘Socially Distanced - Welcome Back To Music Festival’ has a full line-up scheduled for South Runcton from Friday to Sunday.

Camping has sold out for the event but weekend and day tickets are still available.

Festivalgoers will be allocated their own area for two to six people and each socially distanced space includes seating and a standing area.

There will be a licensed festival bar, gin bar and street food vendors on site.

One of the bands on the line-up for Friday is The Extons who have been practising with social distancing.

Lead guitarist Adam Garwood said the band will be playing new songs to the public for the first time and he is raring to go.

He said: “We are really excited and looking forward to it. When Triston [Mellis-Twisted Melon] asked if we wanted to perform we said yes straight away.

“We would have said yes to anything even if it was in a back garden or in front of two people. It’s been such a long time.”

Lockdown has enabled the band to experiment and the guitarist said fans can expect to hear new sounds including electronic and 80s style music.

The band will also be able to perform their new song ‘DANCEBOY (Something To Believe In)’ for the first time live after it was released at the end of May in aid of the NHS Charities Together.

Regarding the safety measures, Adam said: “Triston has been on it and has told us what we need to do and all the social distancing practices. He has got a really good plan to keep it as safe as possible.”

Inspiration has been taken from other live events already being a success throughout the country such as Sam Fender in Newcastle.

Adam added: “It will be a bit of a weird feeling standing on stage again, but I am so excited as it’s been six months since we played. Hopefully the weather stays fine.”

Stewards and security will be constantly monitoring attendees to they adhere to social distancing. Organisers have stated that any attendee who persists in breaking guidelines will be ejected from the event.

The bar will operate a one-way system with contactless payments at one end and collection from a sterile area at the other end.

There will also be plenty of signage and an LED screen will regularly show the guidelines to those attending.

Triston Finnis, of Twisted Melon Promotions, said: “Over the past five months the music industry has been absolutely decimated and with little sign of help coming I decided to try and kick start things the only way I know how, with an event.

“With lockdown measures easing and number of socially distanced outdoor shows popping up across the country I decided now was the time to create West Norfolk’s very own socially distanced festival.

“I’m involved with a number of festivals including Festival Too but this was to be very different. I have researched the many other events across the country, cherry picking what I believe are the best measures to ensure Twisted Melon’s ’Socially Distanced’ will be one of the safest events in the country while still having a full festival feel.

“We are extremely pleased to have been able to choose a massively diverse selection of acts from genres including dance, rock, Indie, ska, punk and soul.”

The full line-up for the festival is:

Friday - 12pm to 11pm

FROM THE SPECIALS - NEVILLE STAPLE BAND

RODDY RADIATION & THE SKABILLY REBELS

REBELATION

THE EXTONS

FLINT MOORE

CALL TO THE FAITHFUL

COVES

MORE TBC.

Saturday - 12pm to 11pm

JUDGE JULES LIVE WITH 10 PIECE BAND

ALEX P

BRANDON BLOCK

THE CLOCKWORKS

TOM LUMLEY & THE BRAVE LIAISON

DEAD REYNOLDS

SARPA SALPA

DISHY TANGENT

FRANKO FRAIZE

CRYSTAL TIDES

CALUM LINTOTT

SUNDAY - 12pm to 6pm

BEAR CLUB

TOM HINGLEY (INSPIRAL CARPETS)

THE SOFT TONE NEEDLES

JESSIE’S GHOST

EAST ANGLES BRASS

For more information on the festival and to purchase tickets head to www.musicglue.com/sarpasalpamusic/events/2020-09-19-welcome-back-to-music-festival-norfolk-south-runcton