It’s the final weekend of Covid restrictions. The end of a dark chapter of – what has been for many – home isolation, anxiety and loss. An era where there were no gigs and, together, we found ways to connect, to support one another and to keep the lights of for grassroots music.

This weekend also marks a new chapter – a new era for hope. Covid is still around, but as restrictions fall away attention can turn to rebuilding lives and wellbeing, plus supporting the festivals and venues that need our support.

It’s a weekend that marks the end of an era and hopefully the start of a new one.

So, Great Music Stories is back with another radio festival this weekend, and it’s our third supporting the enduring spirit and ethos of Wildfire Festival, an event that does so much to support new and rising bands – and an event we have proudly supported since 2016. For those going up the mountain it’s a weekend to get you in the mood – and for those not yet comfortable venturing out, it’s a weekend to lift the spirits through fine music and great stories.

Unlike previous radio festivals we’ve done, this is more than a collection of recorded session sets. We’ve mixing the music performances with artist interviews and also opening our archive from previous Wildfire years, audio from past events that really evokes the magic of the festival events we have missed so much. Spanning the Wildfire Festivals we have reported from since 2016, the weekend presents a unique portrait of a grassroots event through time and the evolution of bands that have grown through it. We also welcome participation from artists that are allies to Wildfire and our work during lockdown – and, who knows, acts that could be on the bill for a future year.

It’s a relaxed weekend all about the healing power of music to unite and inspire us, and after 17 months of lockdown – a weekend to give us hope for happier days ahead.

The schedule is below with approximate timings. The Friday rockshow this week will act as a preview to the weekend which starts in full on Saturday morning.

Listen in on GMS radio on greatmusicstories.com or ask Alexa to play ‘great music stories radio.’

Schedule and running order updates over the days ahead on Twitter @GuyB_rockshow or insta @greatmusicstories