FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS RETURN TO CORNISH CLIFFTOP

Due to high demand and much enjoyment, globally famous folk band, the Fisherman’s Friends will be back for the 2021 Wavelength Summer Drive-in Cinema Series atop Watergate Bay, near Newquay, Cornwall. The original ‘buoy band’ who have a hit 2019 movie under their belts and a globally-reaching fan base, performed their much-loved saucy, bawdy repertoire on the Cornish clifftop last year to so much celebration, that the event organisers were determined to bring them back for more. The stunning cinematic summer schedule of cult classics, family-friendly flicks and celebrated surf movies is taking place from Friday 16th July right up until 15th September, with five weekends featuring the Fisherman’s Friends live and exclusive.

Quoted by Time Out Magazine as ‘the most beautiful outdoor cinema’ and listed by the Financial Times and Conde Nast Traveller Magazine as one of the world’s best outdoor cinema experiences, last year’s alfresco cinematic sessions provided the perfect backdrop of peeling waves and stunning sunsets. This year guarantees the same awe-inspiring setting with some pumped-up added elements.

The 2020 Sunday sessions featuring the Fisherman’s Friends were highly lauded by all that experienced their foot-stomping shanties followed by the screening of their 2019 film. Amongst those who enjoyed their live performances was well-known fan, BBC Radio 2 DJ Jo Whiley who described the show as ‘a gorgeous night with the backdrop of a stunning sunset’.

Over the following 2021 dates the band will be singing live on stage for one hour before the 2019 film screening commences to the epic backdrop of Watergate Bay, their folk repertoire coming through car stereos via a special frequency.

Sunday 18th July – 18.45 – 23.00
Sunday 1st August – 18.45 – 23.00
Sunday 8th August – 18.45 – 23.00
Sunday 15th August – 18.45 – 23.00
Sunday 5th September – 18.45 – 23.00

The movie, featuring well-known names such as James Purefoy, Meadow Nobrega, David Hayman and Daniel Mays, centres on the incredible true-to-life story of the Cornish sea shanty-singing band and their unique rise to world stardom. Given that the 2020 shows were an almost immediate sell-out, demand for this year’s is expected to be extremely high as holidaymakers and local residents alike make forward plans across summer 2021. With Cornwall set for a serious staycation boom and activities filling up fast, it is vital that cinemagoers pre-book in advance to avoid missing out on this unique experience. Cinema-goers can make either individual or ‘bubbled car’ bookings immediately.

The Wavelength team, behind Europe’s original surf publication, Wavelength, is working in close collaboration with Cornwall Council to ensure all public safety requirements are met and exceeded across the summer events. Up to 200 cars per session will be parked in an appropriately safe and structured way and there will also be a host of on-site options including street food, live music, a socially distanced tombola, popcorn stands and craft beer bars. Safety-led additions such as hand sanitisers, facemasks and queuing processes and signage will be included across the event site and operational running of the sessions.

Wavelength Director Guy Hayler says, “We’re thrilled to be bringing back the buoys this year. Their shows last year completely sold out, and they made some of the most incredible and memorable evenings. We even added a bonus performance because demand was so high – people just can’t get enough of them. We would have been crazy not to get them back – and this year, it’s five times the fun as we have secured the band for five weekends throughout the summer.”

Fisherman’s Friend band member, Jon Cleave said, “We love performing in our homeland of Cornwall and you can’t get better than atop a Cornish clifftop overlooking the sea. Singing live is in our blood, almost as much as the sea so it’s fantastic to be able to do this prior to the 2019 feature film being screened. It will be the tonic and celebration everyone needs this year after being restricted by lockdown and we can’t wait to give you a real foot-stomping show.”

Other timeless films screening throughout the summer include Steven Spielberg’s American thriller classic, Jaws, the ultimate drive-in movie and one of the most beloved films ever made, Grease and 1991 American action-crime film, Point Break. There will also be a host of family-friendly flicks from Moana, The Goonies to Pirates of the Caribbean. The full line-up can be seen via the website.

Tickets for the drive-in events are available at a cost of either £6 per person or £26 per car or van and driver with a maximum of five people per vehicle – these can be purchased from the Wavelength website, see here: https://wavelengthmag.com/drive-in-2021/line-up. This year, the team is also offering the option to purchase an open-air cinema ticket for £7 per head. Ongoing announcements will also be made on Wavelength’s Instagram account which can be accessed at @wavelengthsurfmag throughout the summer. The Surf Festival line up is to be confirmed.