An Evening with Simon & Oscar from Ocean Colour Scene! Buzzing to announce Simon Fowler & Oscar Harrison as our Acoustic Stage Headliners, as well as the AMF 2024 Acoustic Stage Main Supports – Sam Scherdel & Mat Hook! The remainder of the slots for the Acoustic Stage will be filled with fantastic local talent, to be announced at a later date.
Buy your tickets now via the link here – Tier 1 prices are available for a limited time or until they sell out at that price point!
Simon & Oscar from Ocean Colour Scene
Best known as the lead singer with the popular Brit-pop group Ocean Colour Scene, Simon Fowler was born on May 25, 1965 in Birmingham, England, where his father worked as a policeman. Fowler initially planned on a career as a journalist, and after studying at Tudor Grange School in Solihull, he spent several years as a reporter at the Birmingham Post & Mail. However, he also had a strong interest in music, and in the mid-80s he joined a group called the Great Betrayal, who released a cassette-only EP, All Beginnings Are Difficult, in 1986.
After the breakup of the Great Betrayal, Fowler and the group’s drummer Carolyn Bullock formed the Fanatics, who released a vinyl EP, Suburban Love Songs, in 1989. By the time the Fanatics called it a day in 1990, drummer Bullock had been replaced by Oscar Harrison, and they soon teamed up with guitarist Steve Craddock and bassist Damon Minchella to form Ocean Colour Scene.
Noel Gallagher of Oasis became an outspoken fan of the band, and Paul Weller gave the group an especially potent endorsement, hiring Steve Craddock as his guitarist for several albums and tours and bringing Fowler on board to sing backing vocals on his wildly popular Wild Wood album. Fowler had also become an in-demand backing vocalist, appearing on records by Alison Moyet, the Lightning Seeds, and Fine Young Cannibals. When Ocean Colour Scene released their second album, Moseley Shoals, they became a major commercial success, and the group would become a mainstay on the British music scene, recording and touring regularly while Craddock and Minchella continued to work with Paul Weller in the studio and on tour.
We are thrilled to welcome Simon & Oscar to AMF 2024 and are so excited for their set – it’s going to be legendary!
Sam Scherdel
Hook-laden, energetic and soulful songwriter Sam Scherdel has been penning music since his early teens. With his gravelly voice contributing to his unique blueprint; his music is never too far strayed from the ‘Britpop’ resonances that were the background of his youth.
Based in South Yorkshire He has become a staple amongst the music scene around the North of England. Critical acclaim from BBC introducing and hundreds of performances ranging from the local tap room through to Ibiza Rocks & Glastonbury make Sam one of the songwriting talents awaiting to turn heads. Having had a 5-year hiatus from releasing music he has been working with Aidan Thomson (Alvarez Kings/Steelworks Studios) on new material and returns with a much more mature sound and polished approach.
Sam featured on the AMF 2023 Main Stage and returns in 2024 to put on another awesome performance in the acoustic tent!
Mat Hook
Mat Hook is an English singer-songwriter, re-entering the live and recorded music scene after being the frontman of Sheffield indie rock band ‘Kartica’ between 2008 and 2014. Those days saw sold-out gigs, international press and celebrity endorsements. Now he returns after a decade with live band shows and his first solo studio material. His latest single “Alone You Go” is out now!
First Main Stage Artist Announced Tonight!
Keep an eye out on our social channels tonight for the announcement of our first Main Stage artist for 2024!
Andy is a Co-Founder of Askern Music Festival. Experienced in the events industry, there’s no one better for organising huge bands and artists to play in AMF – Doncaster’s biggest party!
