MUSIC MATTERS: Godiva Festival, The Specials and 40 years of 2-Tone - The Coventry Observer

MUSIC MATTERS: Godiva Festival, The Specials and 40 years of 2-Tone

Coventry Editorial 6th Jul, 2019   0

Godiva Festival

So here we are again, back in its old time slot, our old friend that never lets us down The Coventry Godiva Festival.

To celebrate 40 Years of 2-Tone, the promoters have given us a helping of ska/reggae bands to enjoy including Riddimstone, Ruder Than U, Rooted N Booted, Barbdwire and of course The Selecter.

Local bands include Wilde, The Session, Evergreen, Yellow King, Brass Hip Flask and many more Godiva Calling winners over the weekend.




Don’t forget to check out all the great talent in the Microacoustic stage including our own Roddy Byers and lots more local talent on the BBC CW stage.

I’m particularly looking forward to seeing The Sugarhill Gang and The Levellers, Tippa Irie, The Great British Desi Collaboration, Soundlab and Coventry’s latest chart star Jay1 fresh from his shout out from Stormzy at Glastonbury.


Well done the organisers who have cleverly themed the festival that represents all the good stuff about Coventry 2021: the youth and multiculturalism, lots of 2-Tone and great local vibes.

BTW: don’t forget to buy your tickets.

Specials in Town

The Specials are in town for four shows at the cathedral ruins on 10th. 11th. 12th & 13th of July.

So the 2-Tone Village will be open to visitors on Tuesday 10th and the Wednesday 11th (10 to 3pm, last entry at 2.30pm), the village and museum will of course be open as usual on the Thursday and Friday (10 to 4pm, last entry at 3.30pm), plus Satuday and Sunday.

Visitors will get a chance to see the latest Coventry Music Museum project, ’40 Years of 2-Tone, The Documentary’.

It’s tpremier of a two-part film that plots the history from the people who lived it. Filmmaker Nigel Meffen has masterfully filmed and then ploughed through hours of interviews to create what I believe is the definitive story of 2-Tone made by the people with the finger-on-the-pulse.

It features interviews with Neville and Christine Staple, Jerry Dammers, Roddy Byers, Lynval Golding, Horace Panter, Neol Davies, Gapps, Ray King, Paul Heskett, Trevor Evans, Everett Morton and many more.

The 2-Tone Village will be open including Knights venue, the 2-Tone Corner Cafe, 2-Tone Shop and Hall of Fame shop, plus the Coventry Music Museum where you get a chance to ride in the actual Ghost Town Car and be a Three Minute Hero.

Free Mag

Plus don’t forget to pick up your copy of the Skatastic free 2-Tone Sound of Coventry magazine. I’m proud to have been the Consulting Editor for this City Of Culture 2021 publication. It’s full of great interviews, band facts, the 2-Tone Trail and so much more. Get it from the 2-Tone Village, The Herbert and Coventry HMV. It has already been distributed to major London Rail stations, Train to Skaville or what?

The Spirit of 2-Tone

If you are in town on any of the Specials gigs, The Empire is providing a Gig Village in University Square.

They are limited to only 500 people, so it’s first come first served – your ticket will guarantee you entry until 6.30pm and after that it will open to the public.

There is live music from 5.30pm to 7.40pm bringing the spirit of 2Tone – all bands will be playing one or two 2Tone tunes in their set!.

They also have food a drink – Dhillions Brewery will be on hand providing quality liquids to quench your thirst.

Bar opens 5.30pm Bar Close 10.30pm

FREE tickets from https://www.seetickets.com/tour/the-2tone-gig-village

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