T-Live music fans have a pop-tastic weekend
A massive weekend of music came to a spectacular end on Saturday night in front of a crowd of more than 1,200 pop fans.
The T-Live event in Telford Town Park which started on Friday saw performances from Rick Astley, ABC, Go West, Jaki Graham, Lawson and Union J, as well as local talent such as The Kooz and Melissa Severn.
Lawson and Union J closed the event on Saturday night with performances that the crowd made sure could be heard in Telford town centre.
See also: Telford girls dreams comes true as Union J pop round
Full live review and photos at Native Monster
Attendance for both concerts was down on last year, but organisers today hailed the event a success, saying crowds of up to 4,000 across the two days, had created a "fantastic atmosphere" and Telford was becoming a "regional destination of choice".
Inside the festival, ecstatic fans said the event would help "put Telford on the map for music".
It was the second T-Live event and there are hopes for a third. It supported charities the Teenage Cancer Trust, Severn Hospice and the Georgia Williams Trust.
Music fans say they were delighted to watch some of the charts' biggest names, and up-and-comers, at T-Live.
Dylan Robson-Williams, aged nine of Madeley, said: "We know The Kooz and have seen them singing before, but not in concert."
His eight-year-old brother, Leo, said Lawson was his favourite band, adding: "I like their style of music. This is the second time I have seen them live and I was very excited when I saw they were coming to Telford."
The boys' father Delwyn Robson-Williams, 49, said: "This will promote Telford as a place to be, with entertainment for families. It is a good place to come and as time goes on it could grow and put Telford on the map."
Meanwhile friends Beth Edwards, 18, and Lois Adams, 15, had arrived at 2pm with the intention of bagging places at the front to watch Lawson and Union J – although they admitted their feet had given in and they had found a spot to sit closer to the back.
Beth said: "We like a lot of the lesser-known songs by Union J."
Lois added: "I think it is really good they have come to play locally. We got the tickets straight away."
Sherilee Buckland, 28, of Wellington, was with her friends and said: "Lawson are my favourite band and I know all their songs.
"It is nice to have something like this here and I think it is getting more popular, there are a bit more people here than last year."
Gemma Berrow, 18, of Telford, added: "I am a big fan of Lawson and was also here yesterday and saw Rick Astley and everyone. That was really good."
Emma Simms, 36, of Madeley, was at the event with daughter Caitlyn Simms, 13, and neighbours Hannah Lloyd, 28, and Morgan Dykes, 13. She said: "There has been some good bands here, I liked The Kooz.
"It is a good family and friends day out and something to do in Telford, you do not have to travel or go to Birmingham which is where they normally play."
Lawrence Mills, 49, of Bridgnorth, who was at the event with partner Debbie Billingham, said: "It is nice to see singers and bands you haven't necessarily seen before.
"We would have liked to have come on Friday night as well."
The Telford Tigers ice hockey players had their dancing shoes on to celebrate winning their first game of the season against Sheffield Steeldogs.
The county men emerged 5-1 winners from Saturday's clash at nearby Telford Ice Rink – and they couldn't wait to mix with supporters off the ice.
Paul Thomason, the Tigers' general manager, said a night out at T-Live was the perfect way to mark their victory.
"All of the boys have worked so hard in pre-season, so we decided to bring them down here to celebrate," he said.
"It was a fantastic win against Sheffield, and everyone is delighted that they rounded the week off with a great performance.
"A lot of our supporters were also at T-Live. That meant the players were inundated all night by requests for photographs – and even a few selfies.
"They were more than happy to keep their fans happy by signing autographs and dancing along to the great music."
After the event, @TLiveTelford posted on Twitter: "Huge thank you to everyone who came to T-Live over the two days and supported this event it's been amazing.
"Hope you had as much fun as us."