Hanwell gets ready to rock as Hootie music festival pays tribute to ‘Father of Loud’, Jim Marshall

Iconic music brand Marshall Amps are sponsoring the Hanwell Hootie in its second year. The festival is taking place on Saturday 5th April from 4pm, and celebrates the brand’s rich heritage and Hanwell’s vibrant music scene.

Jon Ellery, Managing Director of Marshall, said: ‘Our philosophy with the festival is about celebrating our roots, bringing fantastic live music to small venues in Hanwell and putting the area back on the music map.’

The 2014 Hootie features live music from 30 bands playing across six venues between 4pm - 11pm, including The Prince of Wales, The Inn on the Green, The Fox, The Duke of York, The Kings Arms and The Village Inn. There’ll also be ‘fringe’ music activities in around Hanwell, including The Clock Tower Café, Ryan’s Bar and W7 Emporium.

Confirmed acts include: the nine-piece swamp pop, New Orleans blues group, The Dirty Gentlemen; the raucous rock ‘n’ roll gypsy band, Tankus the Henge; and nothing short of a super group, Bad for Lazarus, who boast ex-members of Nine Inch Nails, The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster and UNKLE.

The festival will kick off with a Minute of Loud near Hanwell Clock Tower at 4pm. Marshall Amps have kindly donated a limited edition Hanwell MP3 speaker to be raffled. Tickets, t-shirts and programmes will available at the information tent by the Clock Tower.

‘Since Jim opened his first shop here in 1962, Marshall have maintained a strong cultural heritage in Hanwell, and to us, it’s the true home of loud and the birthplace of a sound that has today become synonymous with some of the world’s most legendary rock and blues acts’ says Jon Ellery adds.

The same year as Jim opened his shop in Uxbridge Road, Britain’s renowned Ealing Blues Club was opened to a new generation of guitarists who soon become associated with Marshall Amps, including Ealing resident Pete Townshend of The Who, and former Marshall employee Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Since then, Marshall have become a globally renowned brand associated with loud rock ‘n’ roll and its products are used by some of the world’s most famous guitarists and bands.

Jim Marshall was raised in Southall. Jim’s brother Al Marshall said "Southall was home to the Marshalls for many, many years. Dad ran a fish & chip shop (on Western Road, Southall) before moving to 31 Abbotts Road (Southall). Mum, dad & all 7 children were there until Jim moved out to live at 48 Lonsdale Road (Southall) with wife Violet, and, later, son Terry."

For more information about Marshall, visit www.marshallamps.com or to find out about the Hootie, visit www.facebook.com/TheHanwellHootie