On song: Paul Dunton

Paul Dunton

Music Editor

Follow Paul @PaulDuntonmusic

Photograph © Nigel Martin – www.facebook.com/nigelmartinphotography

This month SO’s music guru Paul Dunton chats to local musician Steffan James ahead of his appearance at July’s Pub In The Park

July marks the longawaited return of Tom Kerridge’s 'Pub In The Park' festival to Dunorlan Park.

Boasting an incredible line up of pop and rock superstars and internationally renowned chefs, it runs from July 9-11 and is a real highlight in the social calendar for Tunbridge Wells.

With the Covid pandemic forcing last year’s event to be cancelled this year’s festival is set to return in style! The music line up is quite something with James Blunt headlining the Friday evening along with The Kingdom Choir and The James Martin Band also on the bill. And yes, that is James Martin the chef’s music group!

Saturday afternoon is headlined by iconic Britpop favourites The Lightning Seeds with Nerina Pallot as the main support. Saturday evening promises to be an epic party with Craig David and Judge Jules topping the bill. To get the party started the deeply talented ENY will be opening proceedings. Sunday will be brought to a climatic finish by the wonderful Beverley Knight, with Toploader and The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club as main supports.

UPBEAT ACOUSTIC I will be performing with my orchestra on the Saturday afternoon ahead of Nerina Pallot and The Lightning Seeds and I’m really looking forward to that. Popular local singer-songwriter Steffan James will be opening the Sunday afternoon session with his full band in tow.

Steffan is a very highly respected musician and songwriter and enjoys playing his songs in many local venues including the likes of The Grey Lady Music Lounge, The Forum and Trinity Theatre. Steffan has previously headlined the Local & Live Festival in Calverley Grounds and has shared stages with many renowned musicians including Keane, Joan Armatrading, Newton Falkner and many more.

Commenting on the Steffan James Band’s involvement Steffan said: “Pub In the Park is such a fabulous event and an

James Blunt

Other acts on the Pub In The Park bill include (L-R) Kingdom Choir Group, Beverley Knignt & Craig David

Nerina Pallot

I was about 10 when I started singing and penning tunes in some shape or another

incredible opportunity for my band and I to open for such esteemed acts on a professional festival stage in front of thousands of people in our home town.

“As an independent musician myself, I feel very fortunate to have been invited to play, these are the type of gigs you dream about and nothing is more motivating then knowing you have a world class act following your performance. Time to get rehearsing!”

Steffan says that he has been writing and performing since he was very young.

“I was about 10 when I started singing and penning tunes in some shape or another.”

He describes his sound as ‘upbeat acoustic’ and in terms of his main musical influences he cites artists such as the Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, James Taylor and Paul Simon as inspirations. “They all write just great songs and that in turn motivates my writing.”

MOTIVATED And as far as career highlights go, so far Steffan says that headlining the Local & Live festival and touring with Josh Doyle in 2019, recording his single People Talk and meeting fellow performers Katie Tunstall and Joan Armatrading have all been pretty special.

He goes on to say that he was very busy during the last year of lockdowns. “I wrote a lot in the initial stages so I’m going to go start work on a new EP as soon as I can. I just need to try and pick the best tunes out of the new batch!”

And as for how he and his band mates are feeling ahead of their Pub In The Park show, Steffan says they are very excited. “We’re just very happy to be back on stage, playing to some friendly faces hopefully!”