TO pay tribute to the six-year anniversary of the tragic death of Warrington’s much-loved band Viola Beach, a vinyl edition of their album has been released for the first time.

The band’s self-titled album will be released on Friday, February 11 by Fuller Beans Records, the label set up by Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tom Lowe, Jack Dakin and their manager Craig Tarry.

The LP is specially designed with a rainbow coloured picture disc, paying homage to the rainbow umbrellas that the band were once photographed with and became symbolic of them in the wake of their tragic accident in 2016.

This poignant vinyl edition release has been welcomed by the families as a fitting celebration of what the bandmates and their manager did best together, make and perform wonderful music

The River Reeves Foundation will be using River’s portion of the vinyl sales revenue to support an exciting new music project RNCM Young Artists.

Ben and Sharon Dunne, River’s dad and step mum and co-founders of the River Reeves Foundation, said: “River Reeves’ family both in Penzance and Warrington would like to thank all at SJM and Communion Records who have made this special re-release possible.

“Our most precious memories are of River making music and performing. We want the world to know that through the music, River along with his bandmates and manager will continue to live on in all our lives.

“Let’s get it back up the charts where it belongs!”

RNCM Young Artists is a new programme of training and support for young pop musicians aged 11-18 from the north west which is launching in September 2022.

It will support new music talent across the region, give young people life-changing opportunities to achieve their potential, and make inspiring music training from the very best artists accessible to all.

RNCM principal, Professor Linda Merrick, said: “This is a hugely exciting new programme which will support and inspire brilliant musicians, songwriters and producers – the next generation of the region’s music creators.

“We cannot wait to work with these young people and help them to take the next steps on their musical journey.

“We know there is incredible talent right on our doorstep and RNCM Young Artists will provide the very best training, mentorship and music-making opportunities to help them achieve their dreams.”

The River Reeves Foundation is looking to support the RNCM’s ambition of offering full-fee bursaries for up to 50 per cent of the young people on the RNCM Young Artists programme. These will be aimed at young people whose financial circumstances have prevented them from accessing music training.

Travel and tech bursaries will be available to ensure the costs of transport and equipment don’t prevent participation. RNCM plans to work closely with the young people’s schools and networks to create a supportive framework for their music-making.

To support the foundation and the launch of the young artist project, a small group of Riv's Riders will be taking on the Tour du Mont-Blanc (TMB) cycle which is a 330km cycle that sees riders climb over 8000m, the height of Mount Everest.

River's Dad, Ben Dunne and five close friends in Neil Rigby, Paul Jefferson, Sam Middleton, Chris Loxley and Dave Wooster will be taking on this mammoth challenge.

Donations towards a £50,000 target can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/mont-blanc-challenge-2022

The vinyl edition can be bought here.