Artists applaud 'incredible' debut music festival

Thousands of festival goers turned out to enjoy acts including Natasha Bedingfield, Scouting for Girls and Two Door Cinema Club at a debut music festival.

The Halo Festival at Trinity Park in Ipswich was hailed as '"insane" by both nationally known and ascending local artists.

Halo owner Paul Hamilton, pledged the event would be back again next year, with the aim to make it a multi-day, camping festival.

Scouting for Girls singer Roy Stride said the event was "absolutely rammed".

Suffolk Tech firm Halo first coined the idea nine months ago and set about making a festival to "give back" to Ipswich.

Despite no experience in organising festivals, CEO and founder of Paul Hamilton told the BBC he was relieved to see a busy Trinity Park.

"I didn't even know if people would turn up.

"We sold out late Friday night but now we can see nearly 10,000 here and it's been an unbelievable event.

"The first six months there was so much uncertainty and we didn't know if it would come together but the last three months we pushed really hard and we are so happy."

Despite admitting operating at a loss, Hamilton said the aim of the festival was always to champion the Suffolk county town.

He teased ahead to the festival returning next year.

"We are going to do two days, with camping. We want massive numbers, to get the big, big artists. We are really excited," he added.

Four-time Brit award nominated Scouting for Girls performed on the main stage, before the likes of The Vaccines, Natasha Bedingfield and Two Door Cinema Club.

Their bassist, Greg Churchhouse, praised a "fantastic crowd, having a fantastic time, at a fantastic festival".

Front man Roy Stride, said: "As it was the first time for the Halo festival, there was some trepidation. 'Would anyone be there?

"We got there and it was absolutely rammed, and incredible. It is so amazing to have a brand new festival doing so well."

Drummer Pete Ellard added: "We've played a lot of festivals, a lot of times.

"Doing something new is exciting. There was a lot of buzz and hopefully this festival continues and goes on and to bigger and better things."

Natasha Bedingfield praised the Ipswich crowd as "beautiful", after delivering her hit Unwritten.

Many of the crowd then flocked to the Suffolk Stage, which had an entire line up of local artists, including Ipswich band Afterdrive.

Having already completed their debut tour, supported Ed Sheeran at Portman Road and played Latitude festival, band members Ed Ruff and Ben Watts heaped praise on the new event.

Bassist Ruff said: "Its incredible. There is loads of music coming to light in Ipswich and the scene is getting stronger and stronger but we have never seen anything like this before.

"Big names and a summer festival is really important.

"It brings people together, the crowd were amazing and I think it's great for Ipswich and Suffolk.

Front man Ben Watts said he was "ecstatic" post show, after headlining the Suffolk stage, between Bedingfield and Two Door Cinema Club's main stage sets.

"Everyone is so friendly and you couldn't ask for more for Ipswich.

"It gets us all together, and hopefully the festival will get better and better."

Younger brother and drummer Joe Watts, added that they would "love" to return next year with the hope of being on the main stage.

Woodbridge artist Harriet Cree opened the Suffolk Stage, having won a public vote competition to do the honours.

"I think the festival is beautiful and they have done an amazing job. It looks proper and doesn't look like a first year".

On being voted by the public, she said "I can't believe people voted for me, and I really appreciate it.

"It has really helped me with the feeling of imposter syndrome."

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