GuilFest 2006. The 3 Day Guildford Music Festival on 14th, 15th and 16th July 2006

About the bands
return to main menu [return]

Artist: Who Will Miss Mary
Genre:
Performing: 17th July 2005 / The Uncut magazine stage
Website Address: [www.whowillmissmary.com]
...................................................................

Vocalist Mary Leay and guitarist Greg Sinden first began to compose and perform their bittersweet mini-masterpieces in 1999, escaping from their native East Grinstead to play virtually every acoustic night in the country and gathering early praise for the EP's "who will miss mary...?" and 'Without You'.

When bassist Ian Holdaway and drummer Tim Thornton joined in 2002, followed shortly by the release of the mini album 'Safe', the band's extraordinary mix of aching melodies, moving lyrics, haunting harmonies and powerful live-performances truly came of age.

The band gigged incessantly over the next year, from London's Borderline and Barfly to New York City's Bitter End and Mercury Lounge, taking in summer festivals and major events such as the London City Showcase, where Guardian pronounced them "the highlight of the day, " adding that "singer Mary Leah's range, delicacy and power would shame any Pop Idol contestant.

2004 saw the release of their 3 track single 'Over', described by TNT Magazine as "a passionate, warm, edifying and uplifting debut single". The same year also heralded their biggest gig to date, playing in front of a thousand people on the UNCUT stage at GuilFest.

2005 kicked off with a decisive move; Tim moved to electric guitar and new drummer Dominic Goundar entered the frame, thus cementing the band's trademark sonic mix of fragility and force. The 5 piece lineup was unveiled in March at The Garage in London to universal approval.

The rest of the year is already bursting with promise:headline, acoustic and support gigs booked, festival dates secured and industry ears alerted bringing WHO WILL MISS MARY...? ever closer to the major status that awaits just around the corner...