Second Okey Music Day to rock town

Okey Music Day is set to return for its second year this Sunday (July 17) as musicians from across the South West perfect their performances.

The popular music day will bring bands from across the region together with the likes of Okehampton band Quorum, the Wreckords and Wren Music’s Devon Youth Folk Ensemble all set to play.

Dave Rich who set up the music day last year, said: ‘Okey Music Day started last year after the lockdowns. We wanted to do something in the town.’

Mr Rich and his wife Gemma are both musicians themselves and understood the pressure musicians found themselves in during the pandemic.

He added: ‘We had a terrible couple of years and we wanted to put something on to help musicians. It just seemed like a great idea.

‘We put on all the music in the pubs like the Fountain Inn and it’s just great fun. The first time we did it was really well received.’

Mr Rich and his wife, a member of The Hummingbirds, performed last year but they have made the decision to forego a performance slot this time in order to offer other musicians the opportunity to play. They have not been short of places to fill. Musicians have been scrambling to get their names in the day’s program for this year. Mr Rich said the event was so popular that it is heavily over-subscribed.

One of the lucky few to have gained a space at the music day this year is the band Quorum which are very excited about the coming event as they will be performing to a home crowd.

Quorum’s manager, Chris Hodgson, said: ‘The band are particularly looking to this gig as it’s a home event. We were unable to attend last year as it clashed with the Chagstock Festival where we were playing last year.

‘There should be new bands there playing a great range of music. The weather is going to be fantastic and there’s an open mic session at the Fountain Inn, so it’s all inclusive.’

The event will run from 10am to midnight at the London Inn, the Kings Arms, Music and Bean, the Museum of Dartmoor Life and the Fountain Inn from where over a dozen bands and soloists will perform.Music genres will range from Dolly Parton-style country music to hip hop artists and folk musicians. Most acts will be by local artists but there will also be the chance to listen to Plymouth-based funk band Freshly Squeezed and Plymouth-born blues musician Vince Lee.There will be places to offer donations across the town on the day which will all go towards paying the musician’s fees and the costs associated with running the event. For more information visit www.okeymusicday.co.uk or follow the event on Facebook.