The organisers of Battle Festival have confirmed they have received a donation from the rock band Keane, the group that began its career in the East Sussex town and have remained connected to the event.
Support for mentoring and new talent
David Furness, chair of the festival trustees, said the funding will be used to nurture and develop performers from the locality. He described the gift as both a repayment to the town and a contribution aimed at creating opportunities for emerging artists.
"Keane are great friends of the festival, so this is wonderful news," Furness said, adding that the donation will help mentor and develop new talent.
The band have previously played at the festival and at Battle Abbey, and keyboardist Tim Rice-Oxley serves as a patron. Festival organisers said Keane were not performing this year but nevertheless provided a generous contribution.
What the donation means locally
Organisers state the money will support a programme of mentoring and development for local performers. While specific amounts and exact programme details were not disclosed, the trustees emphasise the donation will be channelled into initiatives that create pathways for new artists in the area.
- Funding to be used for artist development and mentorship
- Keane maintain links to Battle through past performances and patronage
- Festival running from 10 July and due to conclude on Sunday
The band, known for hits including Somewhere Only We Know and Everybody's Changing, formed in 1995. According to the Official Charts, they have achieved four UK top 10 singles and five UK number one albums. Their fifth album, Strangeland, contains material that reflects their upbringing in the area, including the track Sovereign Lights Cafe, which references a Bexhill venue.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Formation year | 1995 |
| Top 10 singles (UK) | 4 |
| UK number one albums | 5 |
Battle Festival began on 10 July and is scheduled to finish on Sunday. The trustees have welcomed the donation as a timely boost to the festival's aims of fostering local creative talent and providing performance opportunities within the town and surrounding communities.
Further practical details about how the funds will be allocated and any new mentoring programmes are expected to be announced by the festival in the coming weeks.
