WHAT does it take to put on an event like RivFest?

David Morgan got to know some of the main supporters and organisers behind it ahead of the event. 

BEN DUNNE

Age: 50

Job: Head teacher at Penketh High

Band they are most looking forward to seeing: Billy Bragg as I was only 17 when Life is a Riot , his first album, came out. I thought it was magical then and I think it’s magical now. It will also be emotional hearing Model Aeroplanes who were the last band to share a beer with Viola beach in Sweden. My top tip is Weekend Wars. I saw them recently at The Cavern and having seen the energy they created with a crowd of around 100, it’s exciting to see what they’ll do with 4,000 in front of them!

Interesting fact: I haven’t got a dancing bone in my body but in 2014 I won Strictly St Rocco’s so anything’s possible in life!

SHARON DUNNE

Age: 45

Job: River Reeves Foundation trustee and event organiser

Band they are most looking forward to seeing: Billy Bragg as his music reminds me of being a student.

Everyone should also listen to Off the Grid, the most talented 15-year-old folk rock band. These guys are amazing.

Interesting fact about me: My grandad Harold Phoenix was 24 when he became world champion non stop roller skater in 1934.

MICHAEL GRAINGER

Age: 37

Job: Music teacher at Priestley College

Lives in: Penketh

Band they are most looking forward to seeing: Psyblings and Joe Hill Interesting fact: I was the bass player in Warrington band Bill Davro and in 2017 I opened Neon Palms Recording Studio in Northwich.

GEORGE TAYLOR

Age: 40

Job: Artist

Lives in: Wigan

Band they are most looking forward to seeing: Friends Of Our Youth – an amazing talent and I’m sure they are set for big things in the near future.

Interesting fact: I was so touched by the tragic story of the boys from Viola Beach that I decided to do a tribute painting of the band which was auctioned to raise money for the Memorial Fund. I also helped the team with the design of the RivFest T-shirts

CLIVE BOOTH

Age: 50

Job: Head of account management and contracts

Lives in: Runcorn

Band they are most looking forward to seeing: Eliza and the Bear have a great sound and broad appeal. They supported the Viola Beach tribute gig at the Parr Hall just after the tragedy and were one of the highlights for me.

Interesting fact: I am a lifelong member of The Bazooka Joe Fan Club having joined when I was seven

HARVEY BOOTH

Age: 20

Job: Digital marketing

Lives in: Lower Walton

Band they are most looking forward to seeing: Caro – I saw them at the Deaf Institute in Manchester recently. It’ll be good to see if they have improved their performance, as they were great a few months back

Interesting fact: Met Ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez on a plane to Greece when I was nine

JAYNE MERCER-SMITH

Age: 51

Job: Teacher at St Thomas’ CE Primary School, Stockton Heath

Lives in: Stockton Heath

Band they are most looking forward to seeing: Tough choice because there are so many fantastic bands playing.

But apart from Billy Bragg, Eliza and the Bear because they were amazing at the Viola Beach memorial concert, Maximo Park because I love a Geordie accent, and Off The Grid as it is rare to find a teenager so good on a banjo!

Interesting fact: As a teenager I performed as Eliza Doolittle accompanied on the piano by Tim Firth, writer of Calendar Girls

DAVE WILKS

Age: 55

Job: Finance manager

Lives in: Stockton Heath

Band they are most looking forward to seeing: Model Aeroplanes who have a sound which is very reminiscent of Viola Beach. For Maximo Park to be headlining the day is absolutely fantastic. I’ve never seen them live but their music has such vibrancy and energy, it will be a fantastic finish to what will be an amazing day.

Interesting fact: I won BBC game show Big Break in the early 1990s

JULIE LINFORTH

Age: 48

Job: Arriva UK bus marketing director

Lives in: Appleton

Band they are most looking forward to seeing: Billy Bragg – I grew up on his music and love him. Psyblings are a great band from Warrington and I can’t wait to see Maximo Park

Interesting fact: I used to be a competition tap dancer

RAE CARR

Age: 42

Job: Company director

Band they are most looking forward to seeing: The Lookouts – they have such a mature sound for young lads. I am also super excited to see Man and The Echo. A friend of mine introduced them to me and I was hooked immediately. Not only are they a Warrington band, their music and humour is distinctly northern and their videos are genius.

Operation Margarine is possibly the funniest video I’ve seen.

Interesting fact: I am really into cooking and have had the privilege of cooking alongside Aiden Byrne Tom Aitkin and more recently Jamie Oliver

FIN REEVES

Age: 23

Job: Studio Runner at Dock10 Studios, MediaCity

Lives in: Warrington

Band they are most looking forward to seeing: I think like everybody I’m really excited about Maximo Park. I’ve heard they’ve done some great shows this year already so I’m really looking forward to that. One of the lesser known bands I really like the sound of are Carl North and The Lonely Hearts. I saw them at Friars Live a few weeks ago and really enjoyed their sound. They do a great cover of I Got A Woman by Ray Charles. Then, of course, how could anyone not be fired up to see This Is England legend DJ Thomas Turgoose in the dance tent at the end of the night!

Interesting fact: I was in a barbershop choir at university called TUBBS (The University of Bristol Barbershop Choir)

This week's Warrington Guardian, out now, includes a 12-page special guide to RivFest - the festival in memory of Viola Beach guitarist River Reeves - with interviews with all the main acts including Maximo Park, Billy Bragg, Mo and Max and organiser Ben Dunne. 

Warrington Guardian:

  • RivFest is at Priestley College on Saturday, September 2, and is headlined by Maximo Park. Tickets are £20 or £5 for under 16s. To book click here
  • Arriva will be running a shuttle bus every 20 minutes on the day from Bank Quay and Central stations