13th February 2016 the world lost River Reeves, Tomas Lowe, Kris Leonard, Jack Dakin. Viola Beach and there manager Craig Tarry.
The band were on their first tour of Europe and were ready to take on the world. Everything I’ve ever heard about these 5 guys is that they loved what they did and just wanted to make music and play gigs. I’ve heard this from their families, friends, other bands, promoters and radio DJs. They were loved and had a big future ahead of them.
Although the band are no longer with us they left behind, 9 songs. Those 9 songs went on to become a debut album. Released after the bands death in 2016. It reached the top of the charts in the U.K. and it’s a true celebration of the band. It’s a bubbly infectious indie pop record, the guitars are jangly and the lyrics witty and clever. It became one of my favourite albums and still stands up alongside the other albums within that genre.
The band have made my list of musical icons because although I never got to see them. Everything I’ve ever heard about them is beautiful and their music is brilliant. A tragic accident took them way to soon.
My thoughts are with the bands families and anyone who was affected by their loss.
I hope this post does the five of them justice
For Jack, River, Tomas, Kris and Craig.