Deeply Vale music festival revival

Photo: Mali D - Eating Photography

Deeply Vale music festival revival

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The Deeply Vale music festival revived for its 40th anniversary on Saturday 17 September.

Highlights of the weekend included performances by Steve Hillage and Reverend Mick Huck with his rock band, Movement Banned.

Steve Hillage performed guitar during the original Deeply Vale years with the band Gong, who also returned to the festival this year. Reverend Mick Huck also played during the original years.

Many bands reformed specially for the event, including Frogbox with Johhny Sax and Nick Ashworth, Spike with guitarist Larry Norwood, Mudanzas, Wilful Damage with all four original members, Physical Wrecks, Alchemist, Accident on The East Lancs, Poet Andy T and Secret Agent with Sage and Snooze and Dave Brown.

Also present was BBC Radio presenter, Mike Sweeney, who played with Salford Jets and reunited with Rochdale's Johnny Sax.

Festival organiser, Chris Hewitt, said: “The idea of Deeply Vale 2016 was to put Rochdale and surrounding areas back on the musical festival map for a couple of days.”

Ian Harper, who attended the anniversary festival, said: “Deeply Vale was a brilliant two days; the best gigs I have ever attended.

“There was a great vibe and the organisation, sound and lighting were perfect.

“This should run every year.”

Deeply Vale was originally created by the community in 1976. 300 campers attended the first festival, a number which swiftly reached 20,000. Over 50 bands perfromed in 1978.