Guernsey’s 80th Liberation Day will host a variety of music performances throughout the day on North Beach, Albert Pier and Castle Cornet. 

The programme, sponsored by The Co-operative, offers a mix of nostalgia, community singalongs and modern performances, ensuring a lively soundtrack for the celebrations.

On North Beach, the entertainment will start at 12pm with a selection of poems from the recent Guernsey Arts Liberation 80 Poetry Open, read by the poets, with music from Emily Fern.

This will be followed by ‘Where words fail, music speaks’ at 1pm, curated by Hannah Beacom during lockdown for online broadcast in 2020. The programme includes music from local composers including Elizabeth Beacom and Lydia Jane Pugh and a number from the recently written musical, ‘Radio Silence’, by Laura Simpson and Ms Pugh. Performers include Guernsey Concert Brass, the Accidentals, Vocally Unlocked and a performance of ‘Schindlers List’ by Nicole Wyatt and Elena Fedorenko.

A ‘Singalong through the Decades’ at 2pm will finish the first section bringing familiar favourites for all generations to enjoy. This section will feature several local choirs including Singing for Health, Hope Singers and States of Harmony.

Deputy Sue Aldwell, Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, said: "Live music has always played a key part in our Liberation Day celebrations and this year is no exception. Once the Cavalcade has formed their static displays, at 4pm the music will turn to the 1940s. The wonderful D-Day Darlings are a firm favourite with the Guernsey public and will be bringing their 7-singer line this year for the first time.  They will be followed by the fantastic Royal Marine Band and their swing band line up, which I am very excited to see. We hope that the variety of performances will help bring people together to reflect, celebrate and enjoy the occasion."

David McGrath, Chief Marketing & Membership Officer at CI Coop said: "Community is at the heart of everything we do at the Channel Islands Coop, so we’re delighted to be sponsoring Guernsey’s 80th Liberation Day music stage.

‘We are really excited for people to enjoy soundtracks from every decade this Liberation Day and to appreciate Guernsey’s local talent. From 7pm, the music will have a more modern feel with the Big Band Collective and Last of the Light Brigade taking to the stage to keep the celebrations going."

Albert Pier will host a Beat the Retreat from the Bugles and Drums of the Stedfast Association (BADOTSA) whose members are all former Boys Brigade Band from across the United Kingdom and beyond. Following the Cavalcade, the pier will take on a relaxed feel with duo, The Vibettes, bringing vintage harmonies with a modern twist alongside the static display of military vehicles, old cars and tractors.

At Castle Cornet, Guernsey Arts has curated a programme of live performances throughout the day, showcasing a diverse range of local talent with a historic backdrop. The Cor Damme Lars, Living History by Guernsey Museums and Viv Roussel, formally of The Blondettes, will feature in their line- up.

Members of the public who enjoyed the selection of poems on the North Beach stage can hear a larger collection of the Liberation 80 Poetry Open entries that have been recorded and will be played in the Amherst Room throughout the day.

For full listing please visit liberationday.gg