The first of our Blissfields 2014 Previews is local Ska band Bigtopp. The band consists of James ‘PM’ Parsons (lead vocals), Martin Parsons (keyboard and backing vocals), Sam Marsh (guitar and vocals), Doug Arlott (bass), Stefan Robinson (drums), Jacob Humphreys (alto Sax and backing vocals), Ben Boyle (tenor sax) and finally Luke Megeney (trombone and backing vocals).

Bigtopp are no strangers to Blissfields, they infact won the Portsmouth leg of the Road To Blissfields in 2012. I was one of the five judges on the night, I have to say they stole the show and the crowd loved them, it was quickly clear that they were the obvious winners. Their prize was to perform on the Thursday night of the festival in the appropriately named Bigtop Tent. Lead singer James recalls the performance “We played to a whole mass of people who were as enchanted by the Blissfields magic as we were.”

The band will have a busy summer, beginning with a two week tour at the end of July with the Reggae band The Ohmz and finishing in August with the V-Dub Festival on the Isle of Wight. If you would like to find out where else they will be getting up to then check out their website HERE.

In keeping with the ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ I asked them, if the band were an animal which would it be and why? James from the bands came back with “we would undoubtedly morph into an elephant. Strong, intelligent and compassionate.. and when they blow their nose trumpets wow!” What an answer!

You can find Bigtopp online at www.bigtopp.co.uk, Facebook and Twitter @Bigtopp.

If you would like to win a pair of tickets to Blissfields then all you have to do to win this prize is email stuart@strong-island.co.uk with your answer to the following easy question.

Name the lead singer of the band Bastille who were the headline act at Blissfields 2013?

The deadline for entries will be midnight Sunday 24th June with the winner being announced Monday 23rd June at 10am.