By Julie Morgan

Published at 12:19, Thursday, 21 March 2013

A FORMER number one artist is to headline a new female music festival held in Egremont this June.

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Women Out West (WOW) will feature singer Sandi Thom, of I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker, with Flowers in My Hair fame, as well as national and local female musicians.

The festival is being organised by Judith Jones, a local voice coach, singer/songwriter and choir leader of The Viva Vox Rock Choir.

She explained: “Music is in the doldrums, not since the punk revolution in 1977/8 has music been so corporate and manufactured, it is an “industry” making millions for international companies, and manipulating ‘stars’, churning out a formulaic sound and image that is stifling real talent.

“Women out West is a protest against this takeover of the arts by international corporations. The ethos of the festival is to encourage women to embrace and discover their creativity by giving them the opportunity to see women who smashed the mould, and use them as role models.’’

WOW will be held on June 14, 15 and 16 across two venues. Egremont Market Hall will host the main bands, while Florence Mine will offer arts exhibitions, workshops and acoustic artists. It is hoped there will also be a craft village for local small businesses.

Performers at the festival will be Connie Lush and Blues Shouter from Liverpool, Roz Sluman and Fusionhead, Judith Jones Band, Black Wolf Run and Kitchie Wud.

A competition was held last weekend to choose local backing guitarists for Sandi Thom when she appears at the festival. The winners were Sarah Jackson, Heather Dempsey, Emma Dockeray and Bella Cooper.

Judges were Judith, Mark D’Vaz, record producer at MDV Productions, and local keyboard player Pete Hufton.

Judith said: “The women all accompanied themselves on guitar and impressed the judges with their originality, creativity and vocals, each one was different but they all had the emotional impact we were looking for.’’

Also helping Judith is Donna Brookes who takes photographs and creates graphics.

“Our role models are women like Janis Joplin, Joan Baez, Debbie Harry, Siouxsie Sioux, Patti Smith and Melissa Etheridge,’’ Judith added.

“Historically, though, girls haven’t learned to play guitars and drums, practising endlessly in their bedrooms, then gone on to form rock bands.

“We are trying to redress that balance.’’

WOW is looking for sponsorship from local companies and organisations to enable organisers to hold the festival annually.

If anyone wants to help, or become involved, please email Judith at wowfest@btinternet.com

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk