Molly Hocking returns to St Ives for festival

Molly and the Bubble Band – her new line-up of musicians – will headline at St Ives Guildhall on Sunday, September 12 – the second night of the 2021 September Festival.

“I can’t wait to perform live again,” said 20-year-old Molly. “My first big gig is going to be in St Ives, my home town and I can’t wait for everyone to come and support and have a night of fun.”

With huge support from Cornwall and around the country, at just 18 years of age Molly won The Voice – and a recording contract which saw her rendition of ‘I’ll Never Love Again’ go straight to No.1 in the iTunes singles chart.

Molly Hocking, 2019 winner of ITV’s The Voice

She also supported Celine Dion in London’s Hyde Park but for more than a year performance opportunities have been put on hold because of Covid lockdowns and restrictions.

Her emotive single ‘After The Night Before’ came out last year with Molly finally unveiling it as she made a delayed televised return to The Voice as guest star on the live semi-final show.

Despite not being able to appear on stage, Molly has kept busy between London and St Ives and she said: “I’m in and out of so many writing sessions and studios and I just love it.

“I love writing music and releasing but I’ve had nowhere to perform so I’m lucky that I’m getting to come back to The Guildhall and do a big gig here.

“I’ve got loads of new music coming out, loads of singles and hopefully an album toward the end of the year.”

Molly will be accompanied in St Ives by the Bubble Band, a collection of talented musicians who have played with some of the biggest names in the music world.

Flats and Sharps

Cornwall bluegrass group Flats and Sharps, who wowed the 2017 September Festival, are returning to St Ives this year

The four-piece group, who have travelled the world since starting out busking in Penzance eight years ago, will appear at The Guildhall on Tuesday, September 14.

Otway and Barrett

Kicking off the 2021 festival are madcap musical duo John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett who return to St Ives Theatre for the opening night on Saturday, September 11.

More than 40 years after first appearing on The Old Grey Whistle Test, Otway and Barrett are still tearing it up and smashing instruments with their own brand of punk meets folk mayhem.

Three Busketeers

Willy Barrett will also be appear with Mary Holland and Martin Barker as the Three Buskerteers at Porthmeor Studios on Wednesday, September 22.

ARKangel are bringing their new Milonga del Angel show to the St Ives Society of Artists’ Mariners Gallery on Wednesday, September 15.

Tributes to two of the all-time great performing acts will provide a rousing finale to this year’s festival.

Fleetwood Mac songbook

The Fleetwood Mac Songbook are at St Ives Guildhall on Friday, September 24, with The George Michael Show bringing down the curtain on this year’s Festival the following night.

Devon-based Fleetwood Mac Songbook celebrate 50-plus years of Fleetwood Mac, from the UK Blues of the 'Peter Green' era through to the multi-million selling West Coast rock of 'Rumours' and the lush 80s production 'Tango In The Night'.

The George Michael Story ‘FREEDOM’ Tour features a full live band with video screens showing footage and interviews.

The touring show performs George Michael’s hits in chronological order, telling the career of George and his 100 million record-selling history.

Planning for this year’s festival was delayed by uncertainty over the easing of Covid restrictions but the organisers are now going “full steam ahead” and hope to announce further music and arts events in the near future.

Tickets for Fleetwood Mac Songbook are online here with The George Michael Show tickets here