Friendly Fest in Keith set to return bigger than ever with headliner Janice Robinson
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
AFTER four years away, Keith's Friendly Fest is set to return bigger than ever before this weekend headlined by former Livin' Joy singer Janice Robinson.
Robinson was due to play at the festival before the coronavirus pandemic saw it cancelled – but is now back on the bill for what is set to be the best-attended edition yet.
The 55-year-old, best-known as the singer of Livin' Joy's smash hit Dreamer, is excited to visit Scotland, a country she loves, again.
"I'm so grateful for the love and support that the people of Scotland show me when I step on stage," Janice said. "The people of Scotland have a special place in my heart.
"Scottish crowds never disappoint and express their love in a very beautiful way.
"The show was supposed to happen before Covid, in 2020, but I was still keen to come. There are great acts at Friendly Fest – I love the variety."
Joining Robinson on the line-up are The Gerry Cinnamon Experience, A Northern Soul and local bands Cask and Fragz, among others.
Robinson, who now teachers English at a high school in her hometown of Naples, California, has been on tour with a number of huge names – but none bigger than the late Tina Turner.
Being taken on tour by the 'Simply The Best' singer provided Robinson with memories to last a lifetime – and those were memories she reflected on when Turner passed away earlier this year.
"I had my idol pick me as the opening act on her farewell tour," she said. "I will never need any award because my idol gave me that validation.
"She could have picked anyone but Tina Turner picked me. It was such a huge opportunity she gave me 23 years ago and I feel fortunate to have been on that tour."
She added: "I have had so many highlights – being the replacement singer for Snap! for their world tour and then having Dreamer hit number one in 28 countries and making Livin' Joy a household name.
"It was huge globally. I don't follow man-made charts, but everybody knows the words even now and to have written words that people know around the world is a feeling that I can never put into words."
Despite her musical success, Robinson, who has recently released a new single called Just A Little Love, remains humble and has followed in her mother's footsteps by becoming a teacher.
"I have a my roles as a mother and an educator and then I happen to go and sing every couple of months and have this notoriety," she added. "But I'm down to earth and a real person.
"If I could just sing then I would, but I have the gift of inspiring people through my life and teaching young people."
Festival organiser Russell Aitchison added: "We are all really excited to see Janice Robinson perform live and with the Gerry Cinnamon Experience selling out large music venues it's brilliant to have him on the line up too.
"It's been a long four years without a festival so there is a real buzz in the air for the return of Friendly Fest to Keith. To top that off we will have our biggest ever crowd in attendance so there is a lot to look forward to."
Tickets for the festival can be bought at www.skiddle.com/festivals/friendly-fest
