It’s just one month to go until Festival of Sound 2018 at the Novotel London West in Hammersmith, 28^th to 30^th of September. We are looking forward to covering the show for you and bringing you all the info and pictures.  The show is a unique blend of Hifi, music and seminars from music and Hifi industry specialists, so here are the most recent confirmed additions to the show.

Hifi

Joining the constantly growing roster of big name brands exhibiting at Festival of Sound is Yamaha. Yamaha can be found in D15Libourneon the 2ndfloor of the Novotel London West, where they will introduce a brand new MusicCastproduct line-up including streaming speakers, Soundbars, a wireless subwoofer. Festival of Sound will see the release of the MusicCast 20 & 50 streaming speakers, MusicCast BAR40 & 400 soundbars & MusicCast SUB 100 subwoofer.

ProAc will be sharing the Blaye Room with legendary turntable manufacturer Michell Engineering and demonstrating a new addition to the K Series, the K3 (£9,750).

This floorstander features Kevlar cone technology utilised in the larger K6 and flagship K8 in a smaller, impressive two-way design. ProAc’s K Series ribbon tweeter is centrally positioned between two mid-bass drivers and the three units mated via a high quality crossover.

Arcam also returns to Festival of Sound and will be sharing the Beaujolais Suite on the Mezzanine Floor with its Harman Audio stablemates, Mark Levinson and Revel. See the new HDA range, the design of which draws upon all of Arcam’s experience.

Music

Kokomo, British Soul pioneers, is the latest band to be added to the roster of artists appearing at Festival of Sound. Playing on Saturday night in the Festival Live Music Arena, Kokomo will be joined a number of high profile guest singers, including Chris Difford and Tessa Niles, and some very special surprise artists.

Formed in 1973, the band launched onto the UK’s pub rock scene with their funk style and took London by storm. They were soon signed by Steve O’Rourke, also Pink Floyd’s manager, and joined the likes of Dr Feelgood on tour. US tours followed, working alongside such luminaries as the Average White Band and Bob Dylan employed them to record sessions for his ‘Desire’ album. In 2015 they sold out the Royal Festival Hall with the Average White Band as part of the “Soul Summit”. For Festival of Sound, many of the original members of the band are back together, including vocalists Tony O’Malley and Frank Collins, plus Neil Hubbard and Jim Mullen on guitar, Mel Collins on sax, Jody Linscott on congas. They are joined by vocalists Charlotte Churchman and Helena-May Harrison, Andy Treacey on drums, Jennifer Maidman on bass and Ross Stanley playing the Hammond B3. Joining the on stage will be a number of high-profile guest singers, including Chris Difford (Squeeze) and Tessa Niles (from Unsung Singers and backing vocalists to the biggest names in music). Plus, as a real treat for music lovers, a number of very special surprise guests, to be unveiled on the night, will join Kokomo on stage.

Seminars

As co-producer of Channel  4’s “THE TUBE” Chris Phipps is credited with showcasing previously undiscovered bands to a new audience [including Fine Young Cannibals and Twisted Sister], and as a film-maker has since profiled iconic acts such as Bob Marley and Mark Knopfler for the big and small screen. “Northstars”, his TV series of the saga of North East popular music, won a coveted RTS Award and his Radio 4 “The Battle for Byker” won Pick of the Week award.

Chris will be talking about his forthcoming account of his celebrity and behind the scenes encounters with music legends ranging from Miles Davis to Madonna and Twisted Sister to Tina Turner!  He’ll take you from Jarrow to Jamaica to Japan, giving an insider’s view of music TV over five decades.

Keep an eye on Hifi Pig for all the latest from the show!