Saltstock festival on the march again

The event features six bands and artists in five hours on April 28, headlined by Ralph Salt Jazz, featuring ex-Simply Red bass player Shaun Ward and Aaron Keith Stewart.

Aaron is a former singer with the three-time Grammy Award winners The Sounds of Blackness and chief executive of city music agency Paradise Hill productions.

They are joining forces for a second year with legendary Sheffield Jazz pianist Ralph Salt to raise funds for Sheffield junior marching band, Concord All-Stars.

The first Saltstock event was held last year at Hillsborough Arena and raised £2,000 for the band.

Promoter is Ralph’s son James, Concord chair of governors. He said: “Last year I was looking for new fundraising ideas to buy instruments for the band and I thought, with the help of my dad and his contacts in the music industry, it would be a neat idea if we could put on a music event that covers a variety of genres, making the evening accessible to everyone.

“Dad bought into the idea straight away and started to assemble the band. The offers of support from other bands/artists quickly followed.

“I didn’t realise how successful the evening was going to be. We sold 170 tickets in the first few days and the event soon sold out! As a result of last year’s success, it was only natural to repeat the event this year with a higher capacity venue (250) and some new supporting artists in the line-up.”

The new venue is DINA on Cambridge Street.

Other acts in the line-up are covers band IndieRox, soul singer Jessica Aziza Ayaven, party brass band Tin Soldiers, singer-songwriter Bluesmouse and singer Stevie Moore. Tickets: www.tickettailor.com