Whilst many music fans may celebrate the end of their summer at Leeds or Reading, for those who live locally the season has one more treat in store. Now in its fifth year, Bingley Music Live is a festival rapidly rising in popularity and acclaim. With each year’s line up promising to be better than the last, the past weekend saw the event sell out for the first time, as a host of bands took their turn to wow the crowds from the increasingly popular stage.

Friday, as is now the festivals tradition, kicks off proceedings with an evening of live music, without an expensive price tag. This year saw Fun Lovin’ Criminals heading the day’s lineup, with Skindred, The Go Team and Young Guns taking to the stage before them. Alice Gold was the first to perform; her lavish, vocal-driven pop melodies flooding across the fields as attendees piled in to Myrtle Park. Young Guns followed – though later than planned – playing the ever popular rock music that has quickly become their forte. The Go Team were next to the stage, driving vigorously through their set, seemingly without stopping for breath. Their energetic performance empowered the music they played, bringing it to life for the audience before them. Skindred picked up where they left off, projecting the same energy onto the crowd. Mosh pits and circle pits formed almost instantly in response to the heavy rock band’s sound. They propelled through their songs as the audience rocked along to every word, making their mark before taking their leave, and giving everyone a chance to recover. Fun Lovin’ Criminals suavely drew the day to a close; their laid back blues easing over the crowd in preparation for the weekend’s events.

But before they played, it was Athlete proving themselves to be a success. Their performance of their most successful song to date – Wires – proved both exquisite and emotional, as a field full of festival punters echoed the lyrics back towards the stage. Jon Fratelli was one of the first to amaze the audience, performing a mixture of his solo songs and Fratellis hits to captivate the crowds before him. It was White Denim, however, who set the mood for everything that followed. Their alternative-indie melodies washed over the crowd infectiously and effortlessly. Dot Rotten, Dionne Bromfield, State Of Error and Thirteen 16 were the acts to begin the day’s events. The performed as crowds spilled through the gates, introducing their music to those present, and introducing those present to the festival.

Sunday was the final day of the festival, closed up by the enduring Chase n Status. The audience were never still, singing, dancing and moving along to every word and beat the drum and bass duo played. They followed a modest performance by The Coral, who interchanged classic hits and newer material, even including a cover of The Beatles’ Ticket To Ride in their fully-fledged set.

Eliza Doolittle captivated the crowd with her quirky style and infective tunes before the Liverpool five took to the stage, though she remained outshone by Leeds’ own Sunshine Underground, who remains the first – and only – band to return to the festival. Their indie-rock melodies coasted across the crowd as the sun reappeared, and even those in the most distant corners of the park had to dance along. But it was Stereo MC’s who really got the crowd moving, their unadulterated sound still successful through the decades since they formed. Preceding them, with more of an appeal for younger attendees, was British rap artist, Wretch 32. With a string of hits under his belt to draw from, he had no trouble in getting the crowd to warm to him. It was the artist before him, however, who possessed the day’s ‘wow factor.’ Mancunian soul singer Daley blew away the audience with his vast vocal range and talent. Geek and King Headlock were the first and second to perform. Though early – and playing to a not-yet-full venue - both acts enticed audiences straight to centre stage, and set the final day of the festival to live up to the expectations of the days that preceded it.

Bingley Music Live is rapidly becoming an ever-more essential part of the summer season. For a very low price, attendees get to see a wide variety of bands perform over a weekend. This year saw Myrtle Park battle off the rain clouds for sunshine, and mark itself as the place to be over the first weekend of September once again. With early bird tickets already on sale for next year, and each line up promising to be better than the last, this is a festival that can only move onwards to bigger and better, and I for one cannot wait to see what next year holds.

Review and photography by Jess Goodman