DOZENS of people were dancing in the streets to global sounds this weekend – as North East Lincolnshire's World Music Festival took the area by storm.

The Zagros Band kicked-off the three-day event at Grimsby's St James' Church on Friday night, banging the drum for culture and blasting out exciting instrumental Eastern European and Middle Eastern-influenced tunes.

Following their performance, weekend headliners Baka Beyond took to the stage to wow the crowd with their energetic African and Celtic music.

The exotic darlings shook their hips and sang their hearts out during the uplifting set.

Barbara Guilliatt, of Scartho, said: "It has been absolutely fantastic and a real treat to listen to music that I otherwise wouldn't have."

Her friend Lyn Knott, also of Scartho, said: "It is so unusual. We had no idea what to expect but we have been pleasantly surprised – it has been a real eye-opener."

Music student Reece Petts, 19, of Barton, said he really enjoyed the acts and, being a drummer himself, he learnt a lot from observing their performance.

Evee O'Brien, 18, of Scartho Road, Grimsby, also said: "It is fantastic. The music is so inspiring and the musician's techniques are amazing."

Charlotte Bowen, arts development officer for North East Lincolnshire Council, said the street performances had received a good response from passersby and the idea of the festival is to start small, with a view to it growing over the years.

She added: "It has been a fantastic start to the weekend and the response from the audiences has been great.

"They have been treated to some inspiring and really uplifting music.

"St James' Church is a beautiful setting as well and the perfect venue for this sort of music."

Saturday saw Grimsby folk band Merlin's Keep, Steel The Rhythm and Sambalada get shoppers' feet stomping as they took to Victoria Street in Grimsby to give the town centre a real city feel.

Crowds gathered in the street as the music drifted into shop doorways and cafes.

Elza Steel, 58, and her husband, Peter, 63, of Grimsby, said they are fans of Sambalada and similar street performances should be held more often in the town.

Elza said: "It makes you feel happy and improves your overall well-being.

"It's just absolutely fantastic."

Peter added: "The World Music Festival is great."

A sizzling night of flamenco and bossa nova took place at Mercer's Café in Cleethorpes on Saturday night.

Hot Sauce promoters presented Saudade, with jazz vocalist Lyn Acton. The night included Cuban dance grooves and samba beats as well as sets by DJs Jon Cox and Jimmy Jazz.

A host of talented performers then took to the resort's streets throughout Sunday, including The Huma Rhumbas, The Hut People and Cleethorpes' Kingsway Printers band.

Music lovers were then able to wind down and relax for a lazy Sunday session at Willy's Wine Bar where DJs Gordon Blyth and Robbie Peru played a host of tunes as the sun shone outside.

More music news

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