Music On The Hill 2013

Just two years ago Music On The Hill bought a whole weekend of pure entertainment, family fun and top performers to near West Malling in Kent in aid of the Demelza Hospice Care For Children and this year they’ve outdone themselves by doing it all over again! Also benefiting from the events are charities Teens Unite Fighting Cancer and The Children’s Development Trust.

For concert goers who didn’t attend last time around they had certainly missed out, with acts such as The Sugababes, McFly and Katherine Jenkins all being present. It was to no surprise that tickets were quickly snapped up for this years diary dates with the star studded line-ups that were going to be gracing the stage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Jools Holland and his Rhythm And Blues Orchestra were to perform on Friday night, hit makers McFly, were set to rock the stage in the afternoon of Saturday and then for the evening entertainment the nations favourite Aussie Peter Andre played part. On Sunday a whole array of top acts including Joe McElderry, 80’s group Bucks Fizz, 2002 Pop Idol runner up Gareth Gates and feisty girlband Stooshe, who have had two top five singles in the UK chart were to finalise a magnificent ending to the perfect weekend.

On Saturday’s afternoon occasion, excited music fans queued to take their place at one of Kent’s biggest events. On site there was plenty of reasonably priced drinks and most locally sourced food available, from scrumptious pizzas to yummy doughnuts and delicious ice creams. A ride on the oldest Waltzer and a free box of chicken from Nando’s was also on offer. Families and friends who had come to enjoy the fantastic experience could also bring along their own picnics and chairs to enjoy the long summer weekend. VIP packages were also available to buy for all of the concerts, in which the people obtained extra luxuries, as well as their own special seated area.

Set in a pleasurable location and with four superb individual talents that are pop / rock band McFly who were soon on their way to play some of their many hits, a special atmosphere was created by fans who couldn’t wait to see their idols in the flesh.

However before the arrival of headliners was a set from punk band Brando and the second by Indie Pop group The Vamps, who had recently supported McFly on their Memory Lane: Best Of tour earlier on in the year. They had obviously made an impression with their sing along tunes and likeable charms as people of all ages were up dancing and chanting their lyrics back to the group.

Playing ahead of their 10th anniversary shows, which are booked to take place in September, man band McFly were raring to put on a remarkable show for the crowd. Members, Danny, Tom, Harry and Dougie kicked off their set with 2006 hit ‘Star Girl’, which was then followed by some of their many other best sellers that included ‘Lies’, ‘5 Colours In Her Hair’, ‘Obviously’, ‘One For The Radio’ and a fan favourite ‘The Heart Never Lies’.

Since supporting Busted back in 2003 the band have had continuous success, with a world record for being the youngest band ever to have a debut album go to number 1 in the UK charts, 7 UK number ones, both Comic and Sport Relief singles – the list is endless. This experienced band are currently working on their new album and have recently landed back on UK turf after spending some of their writing and recording time in Texas, of the U.S.A.

A lot of crowd appreciation was made for the four piece, especially Harry Judd and Dougie Poynter who became regular faces to our television screens in late 2011 when Harry triumphed in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, whilst Dougie was crowned the winner of ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’.

The crowd interacted with McFly throughout their set list, pumping their fists in the air and singing their hearts out. Some of the many highlights to the show were a song made up on the spot about Music On The Hill, which included some shout-outs (and free advertisement) to the beverages and grub available in the field. Two extra tracks were added to their set list and as usual, belly laugh humour from each member was included.

A unique performance of ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ took member Tom Fletcher to the piano, which was a great delight to fans as the band haven’t played this song live in many years. Finishing their outstanding set was an encore of ‘All About You’, plus an individual mention of all of the inspirational people that they had met backstage before the gig.

McFly are a real treat, not only do they work hard but they play and sing brilliantly too. It is often forgotten that they play their own instruments and write their own smash hits. I guarantee that Dougie, Tom, Harry and Danny will continue to have further achievements and gain more fans in the future because not only are they an extreme talent, but are also a great bunch of down-to-earth lads.

After packing in four separate and very different events, it was clear to see that attendees of the concerts were just as delighted in being present at such spectacular events as they were in giving to a variety of great causes.