2 August 2021

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

Despite the rain, East Grinstead sang and danced to welcome live gigs back!

East Court Live, the three times free to enter concert, hosted by East Grinstead Town Council came back after 2 years.   The events are held on the first Sunday of June July and August each year but the pandemic restrictions meant that last Sunday’s event was the first since 4 August 2019.

We wanted to have a big showcase event and the four bands who came to play had been slated to play at one of the three in 2020 or even earlier in 2021, Whereas the bands are usually smaller acts to start off, this line up of White Light, Flairz, Overdrive and The Skatonics were all capable of headlining a normal event, which meant people were dancing and having a great party from the off.

The weather forecast had predicted 10% of showers in the afternoon, but this changed during the day and the rain started as the first band hit the stage and carried on with little respite through to the end of the event. This didn’t stop the audience enjoying themselves.  They danced and sang and raised their umbrellas in time with the music.

The event ended with a 15 minute Fireworks to Music spectacular, which had been held over from the 2020 VE day 75 commemorations. Because of the fireworks the whole schedule had a later start time of 5 o’clock so that it would be dark enough.

Chairman of the Amenities and Tourism Committee, Cllr Helen Farren said “It was just a great party. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying themselves, after all these months of lockdown it was a way of saying, we’re back.  For those who stayed all day in the rain, it just showcased the British Spirit and was brilliant to see”

The Town Council will now start planning the events for next summer, and hoping for better weather. East Court Live next year will return to an afternoon event finishing around 5pm.