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More free concerts please – it’s what the bandstand’s for
• HOW sad that Matthijs Dijkstra found that the music from the free Sweden on Stage event was “so much devastating noise pollution” that emanated from the bass line of the bands.
The event, beside the Parliament Hill bandstand, started with a wonderful jazz band from 2pm until 3pm, hardly throbbing ACDC licks
Yes, Abba’s Benny Andersson and his band were enjoyed by many thousands of people, on what turned out to be a perfect English summer evening.
They were due to play two sets, but I guess Benny and the boys enjoyed themselves too for the two sets merged into one.
The event ended at a very reasonable 8:30pm
However, your article (Heath show goes like a Swede dream, July 9) does not tell the whole story as it failed to mention John Etheridge and his jazz quartet. They were the band that opened the free concert at 2pm, much to the appreciation of the audience basking in the sunshine.
John is a jazz guitarist of some distinction and one of his primary influences was the late great Django Reinhardt. He’s also collaborated with many truly great musicians, including the late violin legend Stéphane Grappelli, John Williams and Nigel Kennedy throughout his long and illustrious career. He’s also a local resident, so let’s appreciate our local talent too.
So, please Hampstead Heath and the City of London be “super troupers” and let’s have more free concerts of the calibre seen on Saturday July 4. After all, isn’t that what the bandstand at the foot of Parliament Hill is for?
DAVID LOWE
Lawn Road, NW3
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