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Chas and Dave perform on the main stage at Basingstoke Live

BASINGSTOKE was live and kicking as the town's free summer music festival went down a storm.

Local bands, street artists and Cockney legends Chas and Dave were among the acts who entertained thousands at War Memorial Park and across the town as part of Basingstoke Live 2008.

The festivities kicked off last Friday with a range of street art performances across the town - in The Malls and Festival Place - culminating with the impressive Heliosphere event at War Memorial Park in the evening.

An acrobat gave an exhilarating performance of gymnastics while suspended from a huge illuminated balloon.

More than 15,000 revellers - more than triple last year's figure - enjoyed a range of music across the whole weekend.

Music fans were treated to a variety of styles and genres on Saturday as local bands took centre stage, with artists' musical style varying from hip-hop to Bollywood.

There was also a funfair and performances from musicians and dancers from all over the world as part of Fairfields Art Centre's WorldBeat event.

The former frontman of The Specials - the original rudeboy, Neville Staple - headlined on Saturday night, and Cockney duo Chas and Dave closed the festival on Sunday evening in front of a packed crowd.

This year's bumper event - the second of its kind - has seen Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council team up with local music promoters and Anvil Arts.

Councillor Keith Chapman, borough Cabinet member for sport and leisure, said: "The success of this year's event is the result of partnership working between the borough council and many of the local music promoters, organisations and venues who worked tirelessly to ensure we were able to bring not only top-quality performers to the borough, but could also celebrate the impressive home-grown talent we have here in Basingstoke and Deane."

As well as the main showcase, there was a week of Fringe Festival events held at pubs and clubs throughout the town.

Click here for some readers' comments about Basingstoke Live.

9:08am Thursday 17th July 2008

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