With his eclectic mix of guitar-driven alternative anthems, Oliver Pinder’s music captures the anxieties of today’s younger generation, and he brings his heartfelt, emotive talents to Live at the Queens Fest on Saturday 30th August.  We caught up with him ahead of the event.

Wakefield’s Oliver Pinder has been putting in the time at festivals far and wide this summer, with a recent Humber Street Sesh slot, as well as appearing at Headingley Stadium for BBC Introducing at cricket event The Hundred. This weekend, he headlines Live at the Queens Fest, Bridlington’s grassroots music festival in the heart of the Old Town, and we spoke to him ahead of his trip to the Bridlington seaside.

Before we discuss the festival, we chat briefly about his latest announcement, a headline gig at Leeds bar and acclaimed music venue, Oporto. He’s thrilled to be back there, admitting that he first played there when he was too young to really have been there, at age 15 or so! He’s looking forward to bringing some new music to the event, on Saturday 26th October – tickets are on sale now, with a mysterious hint of the evening centring on something he can’t reveal quite yet…! But due to those early admissions to the venue in his teens, it feels like a big deal to come back and headline, with all the excitement that brings.

There is a good chance that some of those new songs may also get an airing for the attendees at Live at the Queens Fest – as well as potentially a special cover. He is delighted to make his first ever trip to Bridlington, having played Hull many times but sadly never managing to venture up the coast. He’s also looking forward to spending some time seeing the other grassroots artists, noting Beth Pilling and the Bootleggers and Bleach, but also simply to soak up the day and the atmosphere of the Queens Bar and Coffee House’s large beer garden and outdoor stage.

After his recent appearance at Hull’s Humber Street Sesh, Oliver posted on his socials about the importance of grassroots festivals, a message we heartily endorse. “For me, smaller festivals are critical opportunities – to find the next festival headliners. For me, recently doing something like The Hundred was amazing, but we all need that chance to test the ropes first too, with like-minded people and other musicians… It’s critical that locals get behind these events and soak up what’s on offer.”

He reveals a few of the excellent acts he caught at Humber Street Sesh, such as Fiona Lee – “incredible indie rock and pop, I believe it was her first time with a band too, it was my favourite of the day”; Eve Buckley – “really good, chill lo-fi”; Divorce, who are also good friends of Oliver and his band, and The Howl and the Hum – “it was such a good day, and a key example of a grassroots idea that grows and really has legs. The Sesh as a whole is a great example of the East Yorkshire scene, I’ve played that night a few times and they get people in, it’s always rammed.”

Finally, we discuss Oliver’s upcoming EP which will be released on November 21st and will include his first ever vinyl release. The EP will include a new single, Love of My Life – which is out in mid-September but will, we are assured, be played for those who get along to Live at the Queens Fest on 30th August. We certainly can’t wait.

A great range of original artists from the local area and slightly further afield are joining Oliver Pinder on the line up. Stage times are set to be as below, but subject to change, so keep an eye on the socials – or just get down early and enjoy it all, of course!

Oliver Pinder: 21:35 – 22:30

Beth Pilling and the Bootleggers: 20:30 – 21:15

Follow Deep: 19:30 – 20:10

BLEACH: 18:45 – 19:15

Cherry Fuzz Club: 18:00 – 18:30

Reverie:  17:15 – 17:45

Don’t Fret The Poet: 16:15 – 16:45

January Jam Band: 15:30 – 16:00

Tymisha: 14:45 – 15:15

Lights Out-Band: 14:00 – 14:30

Smoking In A Room: 13:15 – 13:45

Jack Robertson 12:30 – 13:00

Links:
LATQ ticket link
LATQ socials: facebook ; instagram ; FB event link
Oliver Pinder socials: facebook ; instagram ; bandcamp
Oporto gig ticket link

The event is sponsored by the following local organisations:

Rhapsody Coffee & Company | CREAM – Bridlington | Alex May Gallery | Sissy & One | Southside Harbour Guitar Straps | Yorkshire Coast Gigs | Drum Shack