The Voice winner Mo Adeniran has spoken out about the tragedy which claimed the lives of band Viola Beach as he prepares to perform at a music festival in their memory.
The Voice winner Mo Adeniran has spoken about the Viola Beach tragedy as he prepares to perform at a music festival in memory of guitarist River Reeves.
Nineteen-year-old River and his bandmates Jack Dakin, 19, Kris Leonard, 19, and Tomas Lowe, 27, were tragically killed when a car they were travelling in careered off a bridge in Sweden last year. Their manager Craig Tarry, 32, also died in the crash.
Mo, who won this year's The Voice, knew the band personally and was best friends with drummer Jack Dakin throughout high school.
This weekend Mo will perform at RivFest - a fundraising event set up by River's dad Ben Dunne.
Proceeds from the festival will go to The River Reeves Foundation - a charity which aims to support young people as they pursue careers in the arts. £1 from every ticket sale will also go to the We Love Manchester Fund.
The event will see Mo sharing the stage with good friend and fellow The Voice contestant Max Vickers.
Mo said: "I knew the Viola Beach lads very well. Me and Jack were best friends all the way through high school. The festival is a great way to remember my friends and their memory.
"It is nice that everyone is able to get together and celebrate what they achieved in their career. It is helping a lot of people heal."
Mo, who is currently recording his debut album, will perform a mixture of covers as well as some new material at the festival, which will be held at River's former college in Warrington.
"The tragedy affected us greatly. Everyone who knew the lads knew how close they were as a group. Everyone who met them fell in love with them because of the charisma that they carried," said Mo.
"Their passing hurt a lot of people. This festival is helping people to heal and celebrate their memory."
Maximo Park, Billy Bragg and Eliza and the Bear will also perform at the event. For more information visit: www.pyramidparrhall.com/whats-on/event/rivfest-17/
Adult tickets cost £20 and children's tickets cost £5.
