A new ingredient to the usual heady mix of booze, banter and telling-the-boss-what-you-really-think-of-him has been added to the traditional Mad Friday mayhem.
A huge concert, featuring two popular local cover bands and a new band launching its exciting new EP, will be hosted in the Town Hall with promoters promising something a little different from the norm.
The Tellers, The Soul Jets and Halflight will perform with tickets selling fast and available for just £6 from the Angel, band members or through the promoter’s web site
www.tellerpromotions.co.uk. Tickets will be £8 on the door.
While revellers will be familiar with the first pair of talented entertainers, Halflight will be a new name to many but there will be a familiar face fronting them.
Chris Cookson (right) left Welshpool to pursue his music career and returns to the town of his schooling to launch the critically acclaimed EP.
Mywelshpool caught up with him ahead of the big night.
What is your musical background (career) to date?
My musical career so far has consisted of me tucked away in my bed room writing songs and not letting anybody hear them! So having this EP released will be nerve-wracking.
Where are you now living?
I currently live in London, but make regular trips back to the homeland! I'm really looking forward to playing the tracks to a crowd of people who know who I am and where I come from. I think some of them will probably remember me singing away horribly year on year at Welshpool High School Christmas concerts! My voice has now broken...which I think is a vast improvement!
Are you a full time musician?
I am a full time musician - which is lovely - I can't really imagine doing anything else.
How do you rate the welshpool music scene?
If we are honest there has not been one for a very long time. But it seems to be on the up with the good work that Teller Promotions is doing. I hope it grows and grows as there are some really talented people around Welshpool who deserve to be heard! I hope nights like Mad Friday will get people going out to watch more new bands.
How can you best describe the album?
The EP is quite lyrical I guess - in all of my songs I try to tell a story, I just hope people can relate to them in some way.I also love melody - this is something I think a lot of the music in the charts now lacks – there’s nothing wrong with a song you can sing along to!
What are you plans for 2011?
2011 looks like it’s going to be really busy which is exciting. For the next few months we will be gigging around the UK trying to promote this EP. At the same time we will be working on a follow up which is due to come out around March. Then, all being well, we should have an album out this time next year.
What can you promise people thinking of coming to the Town Hall on Friday?
All I can say is make sure come along and support some really good music. it promises to be a fantastic night. We are on at 8.30pm and are followed by two fantastic cover bands - The Tellers and The Soul Jets. It really will be a fantastic night.
To listen to Halflight’s music, visit www.halflightmusic.com