WATCH: Wet Wet Wet's Marti Pellow announced as summer headliner

Friday 10 May 2024

A chart-topping musician from the 1990s is set to headline at the inaugural Battle of Flowers Sunday concert this summer.

Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow is due to perform in Jersey as part of a greatest-hits tour.

The band is best known for its 1994 cover of The Troggs' 1960s hit 'Love Is All Around', which was used on the soundtrack to the Richard Curtis film '4 Weddings and a Funeral'.

I'm super excited to announce that I'll be playing at the Battle of the Flowers Festival (@BattleofFlower) on the 11th of Aug 2024! I can't wait to see all of you there, it's going to be an amazing time. Tickets go on sale 17th May at 9am. Love to love Marti x pic.twitter.com/oHmn0ZKC5L

— Marti Pellow (@martiofficial) May 10, 2024

Mr Pellow said he was “absolutely thrilled” to be part of the event to “celebrate music, culture, and the spirit of the Battle of Flowers festival”.

The musician will perform on the last day of the festival (11 August) in the Lower Park in a collaboration with Jersey Opera House.

Meanwhile, Eurovision star Sam Ryder, who won over the continent’s audiences in 2022 with his song Space Man, is to perform on Friday. 

Originally from Clydebank near Glasgow, Mr Pellow was the lead singer of Wet Wet Wet for 28 years: from their formation in 1982 until their split in 1997, and again from their reformation in 2004 to his departure in 2017. 

He has also appeared in West End and Broadway musicals including Chicago, Evita and Chess, and released 11 solo albums.

Mr Pellow said: “It’s truly an honour to be part of such a wonderful event that carries so much heritage. I can’t wait to immerse myself in the festivities and share some unforgettable moments with everyone there. 

“The energy, the colours, the atmosphere – let’s turn Jersey into one big party and make memories that will last a lifetime.”

Watch: Marti Pellow is best known for band Wet Wet Wet's 1994 smash-hit 'Love Is All Around'.

Andy Eagle, Theatre Director for the Jersey Opera House, said the concert reflected his organisation’s “commitment to providing exceptional entertainment experiences for our community”.

He added: “We can’t wait to see Marti light up the stage.”

This year’s Battle of Flowers is set to be the first in a generation to see all 12 parishes represented – with a new Northern Parishes Association formed to pool the talents of St John, St Martin and Trinity parishioners. 

Battle of Flowers tickets can be bought online at battleofflowers.com.

Tickets for all concerts are available from Friday 17 May on the Jersey Opera House website, with an early-bird discount available for a limited time.