Ipswich: Three Years Younger christen St Stephen’s Church

Spectators are able to sample the best of local music talent as artists performed at five different venues around the town for Brighten the Corners.

These included the Corn Exchange, The Baths, The Smokehouse, a free stage on the Cornhill and the recently-revamped St Stephen’s Church.

The sun was shining as musicians performed on stages across Ipswich. Credit: Tom Cann (Image: Tom Cann)

Three Years Younger performing. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Sister-fronted four-piece band Three Years Younger were the first to perform in Ipswich’s newest music venue on Friday evening.

A sea of people in high spirits were in attendance to watch the performance at St Stephen’s Church to watch the band that have previously performed at Latitude.

Before their performance, the band said: “We are incredibly grateful to be the first to perform here.

Three Years Younger were the first to perform in St Stephen’s Church. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Three Years Younger are a sister-fronted four-piece band. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

“How stunning it is too so we are very honoured.”

Elsewhere in the town, the Cornhill stage was getting regular visitors and listeners, with people enjoying the music and the sunny, warm weather.

Performances on the stage included brother and sister duo, Esme Emerson, hip-hop group Purple Loft and GRAY, who has millions of streams on his songs on Spotify.

Purple Loft performing on stage. Credit: Tom Cann (Image: Tom Cann)

GRAY performing on the Cornhill Stage. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

GRAY was one of four acts chosen by BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Angelle Joseph.

GRAY said: “It’s the first time I have played in Ipswich centre and it’s been absolutely joyous.

“The people are so friendly.

GRAY performing on stage. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

BBC Radio presenter Angelle Joseph at the festival. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

“I have done so many shows in the past, where you are just in the middle of town and you might lock eyes with one person throughout the whole set and that’s it.

“Here today though, there were some real vibes and just a testament to how great everyone is.”

Purple Loft said: “There are people that weren’t here for us, but they stuck around and listened to us which is just beautiful.

The guys from Purple Loft. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The sun was shining as people listened to musicians on the Cornhill stage. Credit: Tom Cann (Image: Tom Cann)

“The sun is shining, everyone’s happy and lots of smiles on faces.”

The Corn Exchange hosted headliners 86TVs, made up of two members of the Maccabees, and one of the members of Stereophonics.

Musicians performing at Brighten The Corners Festival 2023. Credit: Tom Cann (Image: Tom Cann)

The Corn Exchange was one of the venues used. Credit: Tom Cann (Image: Tom Cann)

St Stephen’s Church in Ipswich. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

People enjoyed the music at the recently renovated St Stephen’s Church. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)