City venues rescue shows after Godiva Festival cancelled

Buy photos » The Godiva Unsigned competition is one of a handful to be moved to another venue after poor weather forced the festival to be cancelled. Picture by Jon Mullis 14.012.030.cov.jm1 (www.buyphotos247.com)

MUSIC venues across Coventry have rescued parts of the cancelled Godiva Festival.

The free annual event was called off earlier today (Friday), just hours before stages in War Memorial Park were due to host the opening bands.

Council organisers blamed the cancellation on 'devastating weather' after storms lashed the park yesterday.

But as soon as the news was announced venues stepped in to welcome the acts set to play and stage parts of the festival around the city.

The Kasbah will host the Godiva Unsigned final later tonight, which was due to see the winner open the main stage tomorrow afternoon.

Six local bands - Yes Sunshine, This Modern Youth, Dark Actors, Flygone, Symphony State and The Glassguns - will fight it out from 6pm and entry is free.

The Primrose Hill venue said it was working to secure other acts but was awaiting confirmation.

Thanos Staikos, of the Kasbah, said: “Everyone is gutted about the festival because it is such a great event.

"We have confirmed that the Godiva Unsigned final will be staged here and it will be for over-14s only."

Live comedy, set to take place in the Paradise Tent, has moved to the upstairs of Careys from 8pm tonight. It is free entry with profits from the bar going to the festival's official charity - Myton Hospice.

Hales Street club S7ven will also be hosting urban act P Money and others from 6pm.

And the Royal Oak, in Earlsdon, will host the acts set to play on the microacoustic stages - also from 6pm.

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