Beverley Knight Praises Godiva Festival for Its Affordability and Sense of Homecoming
Beverley Knight has described her performance at the Godiva Festival as a homecoming, praising the event for its affordability and accessibility. The Wolverhampton artist, widely regarded as one of Britain’s greatest soul singers, was the final headline act at the Coventry festival on Sunday.
Speaking to before taking to the main stage, Ms. Knight expressed her joy at being in the heart of a “music city like Coventry.” She remarked, “I love to perform. This is home for me. Even though it’s Coventry and I’m from Wolverhampton, I still think ‘West Midlands – home.’”
Ms. Knight highlighted the importance of festivals like Godiva, which offer an opportunity for people to enjoy live music without the high costs associated with events like Glastonbury. The event, organized by Coventry City Council, was free until charges were introduced in 2019, with adult day tickets for this year’s festival costing £17.50.
“I think it’s fantastic that it’s within a family price range. Everyone can come and enjoy music live – a fully immersive experience,” Ms. Knight said. “Live music can be so out of reach for so many people, and I’m just thrilled I can be part of something that is so accessible.”
Ms. Knight closed out the festival on Sunday following previous headline performances by Richard Ashcroft and Paloma Faith. Tens of thousands of music fans were expected to attend the event, which marked its 25th anniversary, over the three days.
However, concerns were raised on Saturday after reports of a group of people “stampeding” from the direction of the Next Stage towards the main stage. One person at the event commented on Facebook that families watching Paloma Faith were “mowed down” as a result of the disorder.
In response to the incident, the Godiva Festival issued an apology, confirming that people were ejected from the site and that the Next Stage was closed for the rest of the evening.
