The Millport Country Music Festival provided a rocking weekend with fantastic live music and entertainment – all rounded off with a performance by Eastender Shane Richie.
Bounding on to the stage following the showers, Shane asked “How are you doing Millport?” before launching into songs from his album ‘A Country Soul’.
Singing a few bars from the Eastenders tune, Shane was in sizzling form and even said that he managed to stop the rain.
There were many highlights from Shane’s gig, and the Millport crowd lapped it up and danced in the back field at the Garrison, enjoying the exhilarating atmosphere. Some lucky islanders even got a meet and greet with the TV star.
With a number of cheeky chappie asides, and a few classic tunes to really get the crowd going including ‘Footloose’, it was quite something for the island countryfest to attract such a big name. Shane certainly delivered with a fantastic backing band,and some fast paced tunes.
He said: “I can’t tell you everybody how long I have been waiting to get to Millport.” 
‘Haste ye back!’ was certainly the feeling of the crowd.
It was richly deserved, as Shane thanked the audience for staying through the squalls following a fantastic performance by The Wandering Hearts who are one of the country bands of the moment. They oozed class, and are certainly ones to watch on both sides of the Atlantic.

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This four-piece band have performed on the likes of the BBC’s Jools Holland show, and had recently performed at the BBC Proms at Hyde Park.
Their sweet melodic music really lifted the crowd, and it was a fitting and fantastic finale that they sang one of their own personal favourites, an Elvis Presley cover “The Wonder of You”.
There was plenty to see and do with a live music showcase in the Maverick magazine tent with exciting new talent on offer, while a Taylor Swift tribute band (Katy Ellis) put on a terrific show in the marquee.
The traditional line dancing was not forgotten and featured in the DA Hall, while there was plenty more besides including children’s games and a bucking bronco. 
And Millport wouldn’t be Millport without an appearance of The King himself on Saturday night — Elvis Presley!

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Saturday included the traditional grand parade while Sunday was more of a family focussed day.
All in all, it was another terrific three days of live music — Jesse Dayton was one of the stand-outs on a super Saturday, while Ashley Campbell, daughter of the late Glen Campbell, was also one of the other top performers.
The Logans, who put on an excellent set, tweeted: “Thank you so much to Millport Country Music Festival, we had an absolute blast.”
Hats off to the organisers who again pulled out all the stops to bring an exceptionally high quality event to the island. 
Millport’s magic lives on thanks to stunning shows like this, and with an eclectic mix of country music to suit all ages and tastes, it was another knockout success.
A nice touch at the end of Shane’s gig was when he called some other bands who had performed throughout the weekend to join him on stage for his song ‘Wagon Wheel’.
It was a masterstroke and summed up the feel good factor of the festival which punches above its weight year upon year.
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