Day of music to remember Peel's legacy

9:00pm Thursday 9th October 2008

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CENTRAL Swindon will come alive to the sound of new music on Saturday, as bands mark the anniversary of the death of a legendary broadcaster.

For almost 40 years John Peel championed all kinds of new music and unknown bands on his BBC Radio One programmes.

Over the decades he was the first to play Jamaican music, such as reggae and dub, on mainstream radio and was also a big champion of punk.

He died suddenly while on holiday in 2004.

Since then towns up and down the country have marked the anniversary of his last broadcast with lots of specially staged live music events.

And this year Swindon will mark the day with live performances by seven bands at Wharf Green.

“In previous years the events have been run at venues,” said Steve Causer, who is involved with organising the event.

“But this year because I have been helping run live music events in the town centre it was felt that there was a chance to bring this out into the town centre.

“That way it means we can do more to celebrate live music out in Swindon.

“There is such a vibrant music scene in this town right now that there are really good reasons to take events like this out and about.”

The event will run in Wharf Green between midday and 7pm.

And during that spell The Alfonz, The Divebomb Revolution, 2 Sick Monkeys, Jeff Like Usual, and The Kulucci March will all take to the stage.

And to keep the music going between the performances Swindon’s very own Songs of Praise DJs will play classic John Peel tracks between the sets.

Rich Craven, who has organised the past years’ John Peel Day celebrations will compere.

“We want to make this John Peel Day music special an event to remember,” said Steve.

“So we are asking for everyone to tell others and put it in their diaries to come along.

“As this is the first event of its kind it will push further into the evening than other town centre events have and there will be a big stage with extra lighting making this a big event.”