City Limits replaced in West Show line-up after headlining for over a decade

Wednesday 20 April 2022

Local band City Limits has announced it will not be performing at the West Show for the first time in over a decade.

The West Show committee made the decision to choose another band this year, but City Limits said there are “no hard feelings”, with the committee saying the band may appear on future line-ups.

City Limits keyboard player and singer Tim Millard said that the band had not been surprised by the committee’s decision.

“We were initially told that we would be playing the West Show until told otherwise, but we never took it for granted and would check every year that we were still wanted,” he said.

“We knew that this would inevitably happen but, nevertheless, it is still sad news for us. Above all we are grateful to the committee for giving us the opportunity to perform there over the years.”

Pictured: Mr Millard said the crowd for the band's West Show performances was "always amazing".

West Show committee member, Neil Le Poidevin, said that “there is no reason to assume that City limits will not be on the line-up in future years”.

“The decision to change the headline on Thursday of the event was made for various reasons, including wanting to offer other bands the same opportunity that City Limits have enjoyed for over 10 years,” he said.

“We wish to support some of Guernsey’s other amazing up and coming bands, which the island is blessed to be in abundance of.

“We also want to provide a variety of music to the west of the island and City Limits are playing at various establishments in the western parishes around the time of the West Show, including the Rocquaine Regatta and they will be at the The Imperial four days before the start of the show.”

Pictured L-R: City Limits members Glen Holmes, Denis Le Prevost, Martin Attwooll and Tim Millard. 

Mr Millard said the band’s performances had evolved over the years.

“We saw the event grow from a humble beer tent to a festival size marquee. The West Show was always the highlight of the year for us and the crowd there was always amazing. We really can’t complain because we were lucky enough to have a blast playing every year,” he said.

“We are sad about it but we knew that it couldn’t go on forever, things need to change and its understandable that the committee wanted to change the line-up.”

City Limited comprises Glen Holmes on lead guitar, bassist Martin Attwooll, drummer Denis Le Prevost and Mr Millard.

The band will celebrate its 35th anniversary next year.

“When we reached the 30-year mark we used the West Show event as a celebration and we had intended to do that for our 35th year, but we will need to have to give some thought to what we will do instead,” said Mr Millard.

Pictured: West Show committee member Neil Le Poidevin said the event had more to offer than music. 

Mr Millard said that the group had evolved through its West Show performances.

“One year we performed with a full choir, which was incredible. Since then, we have performed with three backing singers,” he said.

“The event became very high profile and we would even have acts contacting us to ask to open for us, but we have never been the organisers. We simply showed up and accepted what we were given; we never made demands for the show, we just loved getting to perform for a fantastic crowd.

“We always try to mix things up for the West Show so that it is different each year, but the public do see us perform at various other events throughout the year.”

The headline act on Wednesday of the show will be Stuck to the Ceiling with an unconfirmed second band. Thursday will see Last of the Light Brigade and Back in Vraic.

Pictured: Local band Back in Vraic will be headlining at the West Show. (Credit: Teresa Guilbert) 

Mr Le Poidevin said that there had been some “hurtful” comments on social media since City Limits announced the committee’s decision.

“The West Show offers a lot more than music, with a lot of people volunteering months of work to make it possible and the public spending their time producing first class produce and exhibits,” he said.

“We find it a little hurtful that there are comments on social media saying that people will boycott the show because we have made the decision to change one band.

“We have always had a good relationship with City Limits and I often go to support them at other venues throughout the year.”

Pictured: City Limits will perform at the Sark sheep racing event this year. 

Mr Millard said he wished the committee the best.

“We had an amazing time every year at the West Show and we know that whatever band takes over from us are in for an absolute treat.

“We wish the committee and everyone involved in the West Show continued success in the future.”