A Harrogate music event will celebrate a historic appearance by Amy Winehouse in the town as a young star

It’s a little known fact that the legendary Amy Winehouse played Harrogate before her untimely death at the age of 27

That concert at the Harrogate International Centre on July 24, 2004 will be remembered as part of the latest edition of popular music night Vinyl Sessions.

Taking place on Wednesday, October 14 at Starling Independent Bar Cafe Kitchen in Harrogate, the focus of this long-standing event will be the late singer’s 2006 global smash album Back to Black.

But, as well as paying tribute to that classic album which hit No 1 In the UK and around the world, the event will also reference the day when Amy Winehouse launched that year’s the Harrogate International Festival as an up-and-coming music star ages just 19.

The event’s chief executive Sharon Canavar remembers the day well.

"Her band were pretty blown away at the size of the HIC as they were still playing a lot of sticky floored pubs and this was a large venue with carpets,” said Sharon, talking to the Harrogate Advertiser in 2019.

"There was quite a lot of swearing when realised where they were playing!

"The Harrogate International Centre was half full or so and she came off and asked why people weren’t dancing.

"Personally, I loved the show, the gig was great, I just don’t think Harrogate was quite ready for her at that time."

The celebration of Back to Black and its hit tracks such as are Rehab, You Know I'm No Good, Love Is a Losing Game will be presented by Vinyl Sessions founder Colin Paine.

It will also feature resident music historian, Graham Chalmers of the Harrogate Advertiser, a former artistic director of Harrogate International Festivals Fringe and organiser of Charm gigs and events.

There will also a presentation of relevant video slides to accompany the sounds on vintage hi fi.