Celebrating Success : The Elland Revival Festival

On August Bank Holiday Saturday, the town of Elland came alive with the sound of music, laughter, and community spirit, as crowds celebrated Elland’s £6m Future High Streets Fund revamp.

The highly anticipated Elland Revival Music Festival took place. The event was an overwhelming success, attracting hundreds of visitors who flocked to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and incredible performances.

From the moment the festival kicked off, the energy was palpable. Local businesses reported a significant increase in foot traffic, with many seeing hundreds of people exploring our refurbed streets, enjoying shopping, dining, and embracing everything Elland has to offer. It was heartening to witness such enthusiastic support for our community, as residents and visitors alike came together to celebrate the joy of live music.

The lineup was nothing short of spectacular, featuring a diverse array of talented local artists and bands that got everyone on their feet. From upbeat pop to soulful ballads, the music resonated throughout the town, creating an unforgettable experience for all. The positive feedback from the audience highlights just how much our community cherishes events that bring us together and support local talent.

Bob Marley’s cousin, Jimmy Malcolm, was on keyboards with Elland’s own Colt Community Voices, in tribute to Connor Hellens, a young and very gifted musician from Elland who sadly passed away recently. Connor’s dad Jezz provided the sound system in tribute too.

The musicians on the day were all put together by Phillip Cluskey. Phillip and Roni Hart headlined the day with their group, Little and Often. Phillip is the son of Con Cluskey of The Bachelors, an Irish pop star who achieved huge success in the 1960’s when they regularly outsold the Beatles. Con lived in New Hall, Elland, a grade 1 listed Tudor house, built in 1480, from 1970 till his passing in 2022. Con loved the town and all the friends he made here, especially the Rotary club, who very kindly made him their president.”

The acts were : Jonny B DJ : Jonny & Susannah : The Elements : Julian C : Colt Community Voices : The Dirty Martini’s and Little and Often.

A special thank you goes out to the Elland Community Events team for hosting such a magnificent festival. Their hard work and dedication ensured that the day went off without a hitch, providing our town with a platform to showcase local talent and unite the community.

As we reflect on the success of this year’s Elland Revival Festival, we are already filled with anticipation for next year’s event. We can’t wait to gather once again, to celebrate music, community, and the spirit of Elland.

Thank you to everyone who participated, performed, and supported the festival. Here’s to many more years of successful events that make Elland an even better place to live and visit!

Big thanks to our sponsors : A-Field Transport Ltd, BRSK, Calderdale Council, Elland WMC, Eric Wright Construction, G&S Toilet Hire, Rhodes Joinery and Building Services, SUMA Foods, 20th Century Clothier Ltd, Elland, Coopers Bar and Kitchen, Peter Jackson Textiles & Elland Town Board.

Photos by Noel Wilkinson and John Harvey