As we move from June into July, the big event for this month is Otley Live – Music & Arts in a Market Town, a multi-discipline festival featuring music, dance and more.
Spanning from June 30th-July 9th, the festival has a packed programme of music, comedy, dance and workshops at various venues throughout the town, with something to satisfy everyone, whether they are 13 or 113!
The event is the brainchild of the Otley Music Alliance – a collaborative network of live venues, promotors and members of Otley Town Council who have gathered to make Otley a hub of vibrant and wonderful music. It is sponsored by the Town Council, Otley BID and local businesses.
Here we’re presenting just a small selection of the myriad artists at the show. To see the full programme see our events calendar here or visit the Otley Live website.
Free daytime performances
On both Saturdays (July 1st and July 8th) there will be busker performances around the town, while on Saturday July 8th there’s a free gig outside the Woolpack Studios featuring Summercross, Christian Larsmon, Divianne and more. There’s also another free gig, this time in Market Place, on Sunday July 9th with Ubunye (pictured), Koyo, Allora and others.
Vocal stylings & a rock orchestra
Sunday July 2nd sees a double-header at Otley Courthouse from two of the ensembles put together by Richard Sabey and Jennifer Pugh of the town’s Woolpack Studios.
The Woolpack Studios Choir sing original arrangements by Jen and Richard in three and four part harmony. Otley Rock Orchestra perform Richard’s arrangements of classic rock anthems by the likes of Led Zeppelin and the Moody Blues.
Learn to dance ballroom and more
Between Monday July 3rd and Wednesday July 5th, there are a number of free taster dance sessions at the Courthouse. Adults can learn to dance ballroom and salsa, while for the kids there’s ballet, cheer and musical theatre.
Edinburgh Fringe joins Otley Live
Otley Live is not just about music. On Friday July 7th, Shoe Cake Comedy returns to Otley with another night of superb comedy at The Rookery with their Edinburgh Fringe Special featuring Jonny Pelham and Jack Gleadow (pictured)
Pop melodies from Carol Hodge
Sun Up is a festival within a festival with singer-songwriter Carol Hodge appearing at UpCo on Friday July 7th. A keyboard player and long-term collaborator with Crass frontman Steve Ignorant, Carol is also a uniquely gifted songwriter and is able to conjure up beautiful pop-infused, heart-wrenching melodies.
Bluetones frontman makes Otley return
One of the biggest draws of Otley Live will be the appearance of former The Bluetones frontman Mark Morriss at The Rookery on Saturday July 9th. A great performer with 14 Top Ten singles and three Top Ten albums behind him, this promises to be one of the festival highlights in the most intimate of venues.
And there’s more…
It’s not all about Otley Live! Elsewhere this month Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s one-woman performance recording of her smash-hit show Fleabag will be shown on the big screen at the Courthouse on July 13th, while Sunday July 30th sees our monthly Farmers’ Market in Market Place and the Craft Fair at the Courthouse
For these and other events in Otley this month, please see our events guide.