Elvis Festival
Elvis never really died, everyone knows that. Okay, maybe physically, biologically
and clinically, but spiritually he has lived on in style. So with the Porthcawl Elvis
Festival this month, Buzz fi nds out just what makes a small seaside town turn itself
into a haven of all things The King. words: LAURA JOHNSON pics: LOUISMILBURN.CO.UK
P
orthcawl has been named the Elvis capi- Festival.” From something that started off as a joke, Elvis’ career: the Sun Recordings, the ’68 comeback
tal of Europe, and as such, once again things have certainly evolved. From the fi rst year the special, and his Vegas years. It will make a perfect
the Grand Pavilion will be home to the big festival took on a life of its own and has gone from end to the festival. This set will be one of many Elvis
quiffs and riffs of the Elvis Festival 2009, strength to strength since, and for many all over the Tribute Artists’ (ETAs – yes, we’re down with the
taking place from Fri 25 to Sun 27 September. Fes- globe it is now the biggest weekend of the year. lingo) attempts at recreating the magic of The King
tival founder Peter Phillips explains to Buzz exactly The festival’s popularity has been bolstered further that will be seen over the course of the weekend.
what it is that gets Porthcawl all shook up. We were by its recent involvement in the new series of Gavin Though this is not all the weekend has to offer: there
going to interview Elvis about it all, but thought it’d And Stacey. Peter says some members of the Elvis are numerous competitions and shenanigans over
be a bit one-sided. Besides, he’s quite hard to get Festival team had to be loaned to the award-win- the weekend which are sure to keep all entertained.
hold of these days. ning show for a recent storyline involving Nessa, the There are also many more offi cial tribute shows
The Elvis festival began in the summer of 2004. It show’s chainsmoking rock’n’roll fi recracker. during the event. The fi rst day of the festival, Fri
was the result of Peter attempting to save the Grand For all this, those of us from the younger generation 25, sees the offi cial launch of the event, followed by
Pavilion venue from closure by making an Elvis might be forgiven for wondering what was the big the Irish Masters of Elvis Tribute Artists. Saturday
mockumentary. Peter and friends went to the BBC deal with Elvis, exactly? If you’re not a teenage girl hosts the grand fi nal of the The Best Elvis Competi-
and ITV with the idea of making a documentary all from the 1950s, can his music warrant this degree of tion, followed by The Elvies. The Elvies is the most
about a small seaside town hosting an Elvis festival. dedication? Well, it seems so. The man made 33 fi lms esteemed award show in the world for Elvis Tribute
It was just meant to be a humorous project; however, and released over 150 albums and singles. He has Artists – the Oscars of the ETA world, if you will
from this Viva Porthcawl was spawned, which then sold over a billion records around the world and won – and is compered by Elvis’ former tour producer,
evolved into the annual festival. Since then the the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36. Charles Stone.
festival’s popularity has grown at an astonishing rate There is no denying his wealth of achievements. Despite all this it seems not all the ETA entertain-
and it is now well established as the largest Elvis Elvis began his recording career in 1954 with Sun ment is onstage; offstage holds much potential for
event in Europe – second in the world only to the Records in Memphis. This era is paid homage to on drama. Although there may be camaraderie between
town of Collingwood, Canada. the Sunday of the festival when it will be recreated as the contestants it seems the wives are the ones to
Peter explains, “I live in America and people have part of the Trilogy show. This is a new addition to the watch out for. Keep your eyes peeled for any wig or
actually heard of Porthcawl because of the Elvis festival that pays homage to three iconic moments in jumpsuit tampering and make sure this is reported to
BUZZ 06
september 2009.indd 6 26/8/09 13:46:03
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