There’s just days left to enjoy the Banjo Summer Sessions free music and entertainment events.

Organised by us in partnership with Global Local and Continental Drifts, the final week promises a packed programme of events, with a three day spectacular taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Banjo Summer Sessions programme was designed to complement a fantastic summer of live music which has included Music on the Meadows over the Platinum Jubilee weekend and Electric Bay festival.

On Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 August, Hero & Leander take centre stage for a theatrical performance of ‘Or, I Love You, But Everything’s Under Water’. Crowds can expect to sing, dance, and cry their way through this bittersweet outdoor show which features six multi-instrumentalists telling the epic seaside tale through songs encompassing folk, indie, sea shanties and choral music.

Live music will also be provided from Emsickle, a diverse and multi-talented singer, songwriter, and Ukuleliest from Torquay. Emsickle will be gracing the stage with her soft, soulful vocals, infused with the nimble seaside sounds of her Ukulele. On both days she’ll be performing from 2pm until 2.45pm, with Hero & Leander taking to the stage between 3pm and 4pm.

On Bank Holiday Monday, an amazing line-up of entertainers bring the tropical party to the Banjo. From 1pm you can enjoy the likes of The Cabarats, who combine traditional Balkan and Middle-Eastern sounds with lively reggae and ska. They will be joined by local favourites, Harbour who will keep the party going throughout the afternoon with their upbeat covers.

DJ Ru Davis will be on the decks spinning the summer vibes between acts.

The party comes to a magnificent close as headliners ‘Malavita’, an eight piece reggae Latin funk powerhouse from Devon, whose genre defying sound fuses funky Latin beats, heaps of percussion, soaring guitars, skanktastic bass lines, punchy horns, and soulful female vocals to create a heady mixture of original, infectious feel-good tunes. Collectively they are on a mission to start the party and keep the Banjo jumping with their festival strength tropical sounds.

Velvet Buccaneer will be selling rum cocktails, iced coffees, and a variety of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Nearby cafes and bistros will also be offering takeaway meals and drinks. The Banjo Summer Party runs from 1pm until 8.30pm, with non-stop live entertainment:

1.00pm           Ru Davis

2.00pm           Harbour (1^st set)

2.45pm           Ru Davis

3.15pm           Harbour (2^nd set)

4.00pm           Ru Davis

5.00pm           The Cabarats

6.00pm           Ru Davis

7.00pm           Malavita

8.30pm           Close

Cllr Swithin Long, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing for Torbay Council said; “The Banjo Summer Sessions are part of a fantastic summer of music and entertainment that has included Music on the Meadows over the Platinum Jubilee weekend and Electric Bay. Events like these are fantastic for the local economy and have proved so popular with residents and visitors to the Bay that we are keen to do many more in the future. That’s why we have invested £750,000 into an events strategy, as entertainment like this really brings people together.”

Cllr Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture for Torbay Council said; “Well done to the Events team at Torbay Council and all the external partners for putting on such a diverse programme of events this summer. After a tough couple of years, it’s great to be bringing people together to enjoy not only the fantastic weather but live events. This week alone you can enjoy live music, theatre, and traditional seaside fun – best of all it’s open to all and free! Come and join us for what promises to be a great finish to the school summer holidays.”

Every Wednesday the team from Prom-Prom have been providing good old-fashioned seaside shows. Shows include Punch and Judy, a flea circus, storytelling, workshops, and lots of fun and laughter for all the family. Their last performance took place on Wednesday 24 August. 

The Banjo Summer Sessions will come to a close for 2022 with Bay Brass who are performing on Wednesday 31 August between 7.30pm and 9.30pm and Sunday 4 September between 2pm and 4pm. The traditional non-contesting brass band who plays for the enjoyment, support a variety of local charities and organisations.