Following the tragic passing of Warrington band Viola Beach and their manager Craig Tarry in Sweden, Jason Carter pays tribute to the group on behalf of the 主播大秀 Introducing team…
主播大秀 Introducing are very saddened to hear of the passing of Warrington's Viola Beach and their manager in Sweden this weekend.
We came across Viola Beach and their manager Craig Tarry, after the bands lead singer Kris Leonard uploaded Love My Love to the 主播大秀 Introducing website. With their Warrington postcode, the band were soon picked up by their local 主播大秀 Introducing Presenter Dave Monks from the Merseyside show; who from then on became a huge supporter of the band.
It was Dave who had forwarded them for consideration for the prestigious Reading and Leeds Festival slot for August 2015. We remember as a team sitting in a room listening through to all the tracks for consideration and being blown away when we heard ‘Swings and Waterslides’. A true stand out track from an incredibly exciting new band.
Things moved fast for the band from then on, with growing airplay at Radio 1 via Huw Stephens and its specialist shows as well as support from 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq. At Reading Festival weekend, the bands second ever live performance; we stood with an excited Craig Tarry backstage who was glowingly showing us how the band had reached no.2 on Hype Machine that day following their performance at the festival.
Watch Viola Beach in session at Maida Vale
Watch Coldplay's Glastonbury tribute to Viola Beach
In September last year, the Warrington boys brought their sparkling indie pop to the legendary Maida Vale Studio 3 where they performed 4 tracks in session for 主播大秀 Introducing, which was then premiered in Huw Stephens Radio 1 show in November. With continuing success, it was announced just less than 2 weeks ago that the band would join us out in Austin Texas for our 主播大秀 Introducing showcase with PRS for Music Foundation at SXSW Music Festival - a first opportunity in North America.
Over the course of the next few days we will pay tribute to Kris, River, Tomas, Jack and their manager Craig; from playing their tracks and showing the live performances the 主播大秀 captured. Next Saturday, all our 36 主播大秀 Introducing local radio shows will pay tribute to the band and their manager. Tonight from 10pm on Radio 1, Huw Stephens will pay a special tribute to the band and will broadcast the 主播大秀 Maida Vale live session. No doubt more tributes across the next few hours, days and weeks will continue, their music will continue to be enjoyed.
This is a time where the music industry and all parts of the 主播大秀 connected to our music platforms are in shock.
The thoughts of the whole 主播大秀 Introducing family are with the friends and families of Kris, Jack, River, Tomas and Craig.
VIOLA BEACH AT THE 主播大秀