Shropshire Star

Delight as Shrewsbury's Big Busk signs up 100th act

Shrewsbury’s free street music festival The Big Busk has hit a major landmark after organisers signed up their 100th act

Published
Without Warning are Alex Caden, Sam Beavan, Ben Jones and Robert Whitgreave

Up-and-coming band Without Warning, from Bishop’s Castle, are the 100th act to sign up for the event, which is returning to Shrewsbury on April 6.

The four-piece indie pop band, who have been together for two-and-a-half years, already have a growing local following and have played venues including the O2 Academy in Birmingham.

The band is made up of Rob Whitgreave on guitar and lead vocals, Ben Jones on lead guitar, Alex Caden on drums and Sam Beavan on keyboard and backing vocals.

Rob said: “We are really looking forward to playing at The Big Busk, which is a fantastic local event. It’s incredible that 100 different acts will be performing throughout the day, and we are really honoured to be the 100th to sign on.”

Overwhelmed

Karen Paterson, who organises the schedule for The Big Busk, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support for the event after a year away. There is always some nervousness that people have forgotten about you and moved on, but the response we have had has been absolutely incredible.

“Scheduling 100 acts is something of a challenge, but what a lovely problem to have.”

The Big Busk is returning after taking a year out in 2018.

The event was first held in 2013 in memory of musician, poet and artist Ben Bebbington, who died after an unprovoked attack by two men in September 2012.

This year’s event will take place on what would have been Ben’s 50th birthday.

The last Big Busk, in 2017, raised more than £8,500 for Shrewsbury Ark, a centre for homeless and vulnerable people in Shrewsbury, which meant a great deal to Ben.