In Pictures: Music fans flock to Sherwood Pines for Forest Live

Fans flocked to Sherwood Forest to enjoy top musicians in a woodland settings.
Forest Live 2017 at Sherwood Pines. Headline act Olly Murs. Picture: Chris EtchellsForest Live 2017 at Sherwood Pines. Headline act Olly Murs. Picture: Chris Etchells
Forest Live 2017 at Sherwood Pines. Headline act Olly Murs. Picture: Chris Etchells

Olly Murs, Sir Tom Jones and Elbow all performed at Sherwood Pines as part of the Forestry Commission’s annual Forest Live concerts.

Pop prince Olly, who shot to fame after finishing runner-up in hit TV talent show The X Factor in

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2009, went down a storm when he performed on Friday, supported by fellow The X Factor star Louisa Johnson, who won the 2015 series.

Forest Live 2017 at Sherwood Pines. Headline act Olly Murs. Picture: Chris EtchellsForest Live 2017 at Sherwood Pines. Headline act Olly Murs. Picture: Chris Etchells
Forest Live 2017 at Sherwood Pines. Headline act Olly Murs. Picture: Chris Etchells

Saturday night was the turn of Welsh singing legend Sir Tom Jones.

A sell-out crowd lapped up hits such as What’s New Pussycat?, Delilah, Mama Told Me Not to Come and an encore which included a cover of Prince’s Kiss.

Support came from The Voice stars Into the Ark, who Sir Tom, a judge on the TV talent show, mentored to second place in the series this year – with the band even joining Sir Tom on stage to perform a cover of Otis Redding’s (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.

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Fan Rachael Foster‏ Tweeted: “It’s taken me 47 years to see this incredible man sing – Sir Tom Jones, what a legend.”

Forest Live 2017 at Sherwood Pines. Headline act Olly Murs. Picture: Chris EtchellsForest Live 2017 at Sherwood Pines. Headline act Olly Murs. Picture: Chris Etchells
Forest Live 2017 at Sherwood Pines. Headline act Olly Murs. Picture: Chris Etchells

And Antony Taylor‏said: “Fantastic evening seeing Sir Tom at Sherwood Pines – unbelievable energy and strength in his voice.”

On Sunday it was the turn of Elbow, with support from The Beta Band lead singer Steve Mason.

Under a beautiful sunset, the band performed songs such as top-20 hit Grounds for Divorce, Magnificent (She Says) and the title track from latest album Little Fictions, as well as the anthemic One Day Like This which resulted in a huge sing-along.

Fan Deborah Fury said: “Unbelievably amazing concert.”

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A Forest Live spokesman said: “Forest Live takes place in June and July every summer, with an eclectic mix of acts perform in seven spectacular forest locations across the country.

“Forest Live is an independent programme organised by the Forestry Commission to bring forests to new audiences.

“Income generated from ticket sales is spent on protecting, improving and expanding England’s forests and woodlands and increasing their value to people and wildlife.

“Over Forest Live’s 16-year history, more than 1.5 million music fans have attended the concerts and money raised has contributed to a range of projects, from wildlife conservation to making improvements for visitors.”

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