Not only do you get access to the concert, with food stalls and bars, for £50 for one day, but you can also stroll around Trentham Gardens from 2pm, and have a picnic before the music starts in the evening.
I am honoured to be invited to this event
I decided to attend on the Saturday for Five and The Wanted 2.0 and arrived at 4pm because I love the garden centre at Trentham! Wow when I arrived the car parks were all full – it certainly is a popular destination. The garden centre is huge and so well laid out. There is also a shopping village but I have not got enough time to get around there – I will return!
At 5.30pm I made my way to the field where the concerts took place. Parked near the entrance and could not believe how many people were here already! So much busier than last year. I can see why people want to spend the day here, everything you need and free parking.
I make my way to the press area and am warmly greeted by the Trentham Live staff – they are only allowing a handful of photographers and as I have covered it several times before they have a pass waiting for me. The staff are covering the four nights themselves so I count myself lucky that they invited me!
Darla Jade and Absnt Mind start the evening show
It is 6pm and Darla Jade is first on stage and the only female of the night. She is confident and goes down well with the crowd.
Next is Absnt Mind, another group I have never heard of. Oh, they spike my interest. A boy band so why have I never heard of them? They are good and so I stay to watch their full set. When I return to the press area I am told they are splitting up after their next and final gig – oh dear.
The Wanted 2.0 sing all the hits their fans were waiting for
The Wanted 2.0 are attracting as many fans as Five, many are fans of both groups so they are playing to an excited crowd. Max George and Siva Kaneswaran look slick, well groomed. They sing hits of The Wanted. Which ones do you remember? “All Time Low”, “Heart Vacancy”, “Lose My Mind”, “Lightning”, “Glad You Came”, “Chasing The Sun”, “I Found You” – so many!
Did you know The Wanted sold 800,000 albums and 3.6 million singles in the UK alone! After Tom Parker died of brain cancer on 30 March 2022 only Max and Siva wanted to carry on. Jay and Nathan decided to do their own thing, separately.
Finally the headline act – Five
Five are the headline act and the fans are singing loudly waiting for them to come on stage. Home made banners are being held high, declaring their love for the lads. Some girls are here from America!
It is good to see them all back together. I am sure they still have arguments amongst themselves but they decided to do this together and all are giving it 100 per cent when they get on the stage. As long as they want to do this and you want to buy tickets Abz Love, Scott Robinson, Ritchie Neville, Sean Condon and Jason “J” Brown will carry on.
The hits keep coming. ‘When The Lights Go Out’, “Got The Feeling”, “Everybody Get Up”, “Until The Time Is Through”, “It’s The Things You Do”, “If Ya Getting Down”, “We Will Rock You”, “Keep On Moving” “Let’s Dance”. Ritchie has been lifting weights – look at those arms! Abz always seems to be in his own world! They dance at speed, it’s hard to focus my lens on them! The crowd are singing along, arms in the air. Memories of what they were doing when their favourite song is sung.
A great night of live music, a beautiful location – thank you for inviting me.
All pictures © Deborah Law
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