THOUSANDS of people ventured to Otley last weekend to enjoy the huge Otley Live music festival which took place across 10 local music venues.

The Otley Music Alliance put on a successful show for the event’s second year – and was hailed a great success by its organisers and the public.

Otley Music Alliance chairman, Richard Davies, said: “Otley Live’s second year has been even more successful than last year and shows that there is a real appetite for more live music in our town.

“The festival is bringing lots of additional footfall into the town and we will be back bigger and better next year. Huge thanks to the town council, Otley BID and other local sponsors for your support.”

Music lovers turned out in large numbers to enjoy a wide range of acts at open air events in the daytime, including buskers all day Saturday, and a free concert stage in the Market Square on Sunday afternoon – and it is estimated that 2,000 people attend the various evening gigs across the three days.

The event was kicked off on Friday evening with a showcase of four young local bands at Otley Social Club which saw the exciting young talent generating some enthusiastic dancing.

This was mirrored by a night of salsa music and dancing at Tapas and Tunes, followed by a late night lively drum ‘n’ bass session.

Bridget Deakin, Owner of Tapas and Tunes said: “The event went very well and we were very busy which was so nice. Salsa Explosion had a great atmosphere and people were even dancing in the street outside.

“Electric Mayhem with The Lovestruck Marys, Will Crewdson (Adam Ant’s guitarist) and DJ Relik were also fantastic.”

The punk night at The Labour Rooms was a packed affair with bands playing from the floor, surrounded by an appreciative audience.

Steve Blackman, owner of the venue added: “It was just a fabulous night at The Labour Rooms with three high-energy punk bands. But as we sold out we unfortunately had to turn some people away due to capacity being reached.”

There was also a full house at the Horse and Farrier (on Friday and Saturday) for two showcases of local folk talent, with proceeds of more than £580 going to the Otley Food Bank.

On Saturday daytime, five acts played to a full house outside the Woolpack Studios with audiences showing their appreciation for the quality performances which were rounded off by The Gulls.

And there was more ‘pay as you feel’ music during the day at the Courthouse, with Otley Chamber Orchestra, Sally’s Army, Otley Brass Band, Leeds Project Big Band and bluegrass duo Lost Loui entertaining a total audience of more than 300.

And across town a large number of busking acts played for shoppers around the town centre at five dedicated ’busking stops’.

On Saturday evening, Boff Whalley (formerly of Chumbawamba) led Commoners Choir in front of a packed Otley Courthouse, while the Black Horse hosted a packed house of more than 200 with The Bug Club and four other acts.

The Dunwells also generated a warm atmosphere at The Rookery with their lovely Americana-influenced songs and Black Bear Bones were well-received at the Otley Tap House.

Tapas and Tunes hosted a night of ‘electric mayhem’, with Adam Ant’s guitarist, Will Crewdson, headlining, while Otley Rugby Club provided a chilled atmosphere with Bradford’s Trenchtown UK filling the dancefloor with their blend of reggae and ska.

On Sunday, Otley Live took over the Market Square for an afternoon of diverse music with the Haggis Horns headlining which got the large crowd dancing in the sun.