Orford band hope Neighbourhood organisers will ‘give them a shot’

The Bemonts are a band based in Orford that formed two and a half years ago, and is made up of four members.

The band’s singer Dave Collins, 42, and bassist Adam Barnett, 42, met at Beamont Collegiate Academy on Long Lane.

The childhood friends decided to turn their love of music into reality when they formed the Americana-rock band with Glenn Trowson, 32, and Liam Winterbottom, 25.

“We’ve been playing quite a few shows,” said Adam.

“The following that we’ve had is unbelievable from people on our social platforms.

“We’ve not got anyone that sounds like us to be honest, but it’s a mixture of all different things and it’s all original material.”

The Bemonts are based in Orford (Image: Supplied)

'Give us a shot'

After playing Warrington Music Festival this year, the band are now turning their attentions to an even bigger stage.

On Monday, Neighbourhood Weekender organisers announced that the beloved Warrington-based music festival will be returning in 2025.

This year, the event was postponed, but the announcement of its return has seen many music fans rejoice.

Despite being an unsigned band, The Bemonts are desperate for the chance to perform at the music festival, which will take place on May 24 and 25 next year.

The band’s members have attended the festival since 2018, looking up at the stage from the crowd wishing that once day they could have the chance to perform.

Now they want to make that dream a reality.

“In regards to homegrown talent to get on the Neighbourhood you have to jump through hoops,” said Adam.

“Normally these line-ups are picked quite early on, and we wanted to be ahead of the curve and say, ‘listen on behalf of the communities and Culture Warrington, we do a lot in the Warrington area, give us a shot’.

“I know it is unheard of for an unsigned, unmanaged band to play at these festivals, but why?

“You’re supposed to be nurturing your homegrown talent, and you never know you might find a diamond in the rough – and hopefully we’re that diamond.”

The band's members have been going to Neighbourhood since 2018 (Image: Supplied)

'We'd be happy playing by the toilets'

On Wednesday, the band shared a video to their social media appealing directly to organisers of the festival, Simon Moran and Jack Dowling, to give them a chance to perform.

“We’d be happy playing by the toilets,” said Adam.

“We just want to be part of this massive festival, and we will get Warrington rallied behind us.

“We will guarantee, and I mean guarantee, that the stage that we play on will be full of Warrington diehard fans.

“So, come on Simon and Jack, you know it’s the right thing to do. Homegrown talent, local Warrington band – please, we know we can do this.”

To show their dedication to the town, the band have even said that, if given the chance to perform, they would do so in Warrington Wolves jerseys.

“I go to these festivals, and the band’s gone to these festivals since 2018 and we always say, ‘that should be us that, that should be us up there’,” said Adam.

“But I just think now, strike while the iron’s hot - we’ve got a good following now, we’ve created a buzz in the Warrington area.

“Everyone dreams to play the Neighbourhood and we want to break that mould to show that people can follow their dreams.”

The Bemonts hope to showcase Warrington talent on the stage (Image: Supplied)

'We’ve got a good music scene and sometimes it does get overlooked'

Huge names typically fill the line-up for the festival, including Noel Gallagher, Lewis Capaldi and Pulp who have all performed at Neighbourhood Weekender before.

But The Bemonts hope that this year it won’t just be big names showcasing their talent. They want to help show the town and its talent the rest of the country.

“It’s giving homegrown talent a chance, because we’ve got such a good music scene in Warrington and sometimes it does get overlooked,” said Adam.

“In Warrington that’s a special thing we’ve got. Warrington has got the rugby and the music, so why aren’t we pushing it as much as we can?

“We’ve got this massive festival, this brilliant festival that everyone’s missed this year. Everyone can’t wait to get back there, why can’t there be local talent on there as well. To me it just makes sense.

“Viola beach, God rest their souls, they were making waves and I just think at this moment there’s no one doing that, representing Warrington. I think we’re the band to do it.”