Pop In The Park event attracts thousands of visitors
IT MIGHT not have been Glastonbury but some McFly fans thought differently.
Up to 120 girls caused a bit of a headache for Pop In The Park organiser Phillip Martin when they slept rough on Friday night to try to secure their tickets to see McFly the following day.
The owner of The Crown Hotel, in Crewe, had to promise two of the fans the chance to meet the famous four – Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd – before they would be moved to a safer place.
A human lottery ensued, with the girls numbering themselves in the hope of being picked. In the end it was number 29, a French girl and her friend, who had come all the way from Paris.
News of McFly at Pop In The Park had indeed travelled overseas, with fans from Germany and Scandinavia coming to take in this weekend of music.
While the die-hard fans staked their claim at the front of the stage, others had a more sedate idea of an outdoor gig and enjoyed the sunny, albeit cool, day sprawled out on blankets.
Among the 4,000-fans was a healthy contingent of teenage girls in coloured leggings, as well as plenty of mums, dads and sons enjoying the pop extravaganza.
The event kicked off at 6.30pm with support from Crewe and Nantwich band Sgt Wolfbanger.
It was the largest crowd the five-piece had played to. Not even a technical problem halfway through the fourth of their five-song set deterred them. Barefoot frontman Dan Parry confidently solved the problem by pulling an embarrassed fan out of the audience to sing Baa Baa Black Sheep and they ended their set to cheers.
Just as the sun set, the purple stage was lit up with the stars of the show. Effortlessly combining new material with old favourites, the foursome let the crowd in on what life is like in the McFly camp with banter flying between each scream-inducing song.
Dougie announced he'd hit puberty, Harry shyly said “Hi” to the loved-up fans, Tom sported a Back To The Future T-shirt and Danny took control.
Katie Nash, a 16-year-old student from Woodland Avenue, in Nantwich, was converted on the night. “It was amazing. I didn't like McFly before and now I do.”
Alison Grocott, a 45-year-old accountant from Welsh Row, in Nantwich, said: “I thought it was fantastic. Sgt Wolfbanger hit it off and was absolutely brilliant. The whole evening has been fabulous.”
Clare Emerton, aged 35 and an area sales manager for Virgin Vie, from Monks Lane, in Acton, near Nantwich, brought her sons William, aged 13, and Andrew, aged 11.
She said: “I could have heard it from my back garden but we had to come.
“It's my children's first concert and it's really nice to have them here with it on our doorstep.”
Sisters Mine, aged 16, and Cennett Tezgel, aged 14, from Lionel Grove, in Harpfields, won The Sentinel's competition to see McFly. Mine said: “It was so good. What was the best bit? It was everything! We love them to bits.”
Megan Edwards, a 15-year-old Haywood High pupil, from Park Terrace, in Tunstall, was lucky enough to meet McFly backstage after winning a competition.
She said: “The best bit was probably when they did the encore and when they sang the new song Everybody Knows.”
Stephanie Owen, a 33-year-old Reaseheath College marketing officer from Primrose Avenue, in Haslington, near Crewe, took her daughters Cerys, nine, and Tegan, five. The girls were luckily enough meet the band and get their autographs.
She said: “We really enjoyed it. It was very much a family atmosphere. It was brilliant for the kids.”
The weekend of live entertainment was kicked off with Picnic In The Park, with Brit Award winner mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins. She was joined by the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Anthony Inglis. Bringing the Nantwich triple-hitter to a close was the chart topping Girls Aloud.
Talking about McFly Mr Martin said: “They said they really enjoyed the show and wanted to come back next year.”
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