Wisbech band heads for biggest gig yet

Gifford are preparing for their biggest gig yet when they take to the stage at the Peel Park Pink Picnic on Sunday.

The Cambridgeshire and Norfolk-based covers/functions group will be supporting the likes of 1980s music legends Hazell Dean and Rozalla at the annual event in Manchester.

More than 4,000 fans are expected to flock to the event and lead singer Brendan Gifford said: “We’ve done a lot of gigs before but nothing as big as the festival in Manchester.

“The great thing is that it should be a really good family atmosphere as it is open to everyone.

“We are really looking forward to it and as far as we are concerned the bigger the gig, the better for us.”

Gifford have come a long way and through several changes after being originally formed 18 months ago.

The rest of the band is made up of Luke Palmer (bass), Adam Whiting (drums) and George Bowles (guitar), with George joining the band in April of this year.

Their latest venture comes off the back of a successful performance at King’s Lynn’s Festival Too a fortnight ago.

Adam said: “We’ve always watched Festival Too as youngsters and it was one of the reasons we wanted to be in a band.

“It is something we aimed for and it has given us a real sense of achievement having played it. It was an amazing experience.”

Palmer – the drving force behind the four-piece band who love to entertain – said: “We didn’t freak out and we knew Festival Too was a big deal.

“Because of that we had to remain very focused but it went very well. The pressure was there, but it makes you better as a group.”

Among their regular and favourite songs are: I Love To Boogie (T-Rex), Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars), Moondance (Van Morrison), Sway (Dean Martin), Jonny B Goode (Chuck Berry), The Boys are Back in Town (Thin Lizzy), It’s Not Unusual (Tom Jones) and Another Brick in the Wall (Pink Floyd).

Swing vocalist Brendan’s unique voice has a Frank Sinatra/Michael Buble feel to it – giving the group an added dimension on stage.

“When the group was formed we thought the big-band side of it would be perfect for weddings and functions, as there wasn’t really a market for it in this area,” said Palmer.

“We thought we could be successful, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.”

As well as undertaking an array of pub and club gigs, the bank are also taking bookings for weddings, corporate functions and birthday parties.

Anyone requiring further information can contact Brendan Gifford on 07540080064.

You can also follow them on Twitter @BandGifford or on Facebook.com/GiffordBand