Tees Life Tees Life issue 2 | Page 41

EVENTS Skylive organisers Steve Davies (left) and Chris Petty say they were delighted with the 2017 event, which attracted 18,000 spectators. Tees air show Tees Life co-editor Martin Walker attended the 2017 Skylive air show at Durham Tees Valley Airport, with 1990s hit group Livin’ Joy entertaining guests in the VIP tent... Female vocalist Luzahnn performed with 1990s group Livin’ Joy in the VIP tent at SkyLive. L ocal businessmen Chris Petty and Steve Davies have certainly proved they’re no dreamers. They weren’t deterred when cynics scoffed at their blue-sky idea to rekindle an air show that once attracted more than 50,000 people, but had been grounded for 30 years. The ambitious pair pulled it off, and this summer they built on the successful relaunch with an improved second Skylive event, held at Durham Tees Valley Airport. won’t stop movin’ They had promised it would be bigger and better than they’re first attempt in 2016 – and they didn’t disappoint, as 18,000 people were wowed by a string of high-flying demonstrations and death-defying air stunts, despite a spell of torrential rain. Spectators of all ages marvelled as state- of-the-art fighter jets like the Eurofighter Typhoon growled across the Teesside skyline. One of the highlights of this year’s show was a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. There were also military displays from a “Huey” Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter. As well as impressive aircraft, parachutists and aerobatic teams thrilled the audience with a series of jaw-dropping performances. And in the hospitality tent, around 350 VIPs – including new Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and ex-Boro stars Craig Hignett and Neil Maddison – were entertained by 1990s group Livin’ Joy, featuring lead female vocalist Luzahnn, who brought back happy ‘90s memories for some of the guests as they sang along – and danced, badly – to Livin’ Joy’s UK chart hits Don’t Stop Movin’ and Dreamer. “We’re delighted with this year’s event, it was a huge success,” said Chris. “We have a long-term plan. The first event in 2016 was about literally getting it off the ground. The second event was better, we learned from the first one and we improved on it. “The turnout proves there’s a huge demand on Teesside for events like this.” The Skylive partnership between Steve and Chris is an unlikely, but successful one. Steve is a music events expert who also owns the new pie-making company Upex – so he’s no stranger to phoenix from the flames- style ventures – while Chris is the managing director of the fast-growing Stockton-based IT specialists Cornerstone Business Solutions. “I met Steve at a Boro game years ago and we hit it off straight away,” says Chris. “He’s involved in music events and I’d had an idea about an air show for a while, so I put the idea to him and it went from there. “I do the nice stuff up front, like the media interviews, Steve is the ‘doer’ behind the scenes and looks after everything, all the little things I’d forget about. And it works. We have a fantastic understanding.” The pair want Skylive to eventually attract more than 50,000 spectators every year. Steve added: “We get better connections every year. We’re already planning the 2018 event and the main thing is getting high- profile attractions to pull people in – not just air enthusiasts, but everyone.” 41