John Ward Band - The Light Returns

Written by John Ward
Performed by John Ward Music
Reprise by Pakefield Singers
John Ward is well known across the UK’s folk, roots and acoustic scene as a songwriter and performer who uses the history of his hometown, Lowestoft, as the main influence for his work. With his band, John has appeared at many venues and festivals across the UK and Europe, bringing his signature, heartfelt style of song-writing to life in dynamic performance, including appearing to great acclaim on the main stage at First Light Festival 2019.
In ‘The Light Returns’, newly commissioned by First Light Festival, John has composed a new song that celebrates First Light’s themes of day and night, the sea and the elements, and the history and future of Lowestoft, sending an optimistic message to the community and the world as we look towards the turn of year and a brighter future.
Performing the song is The John Ward band with invited regional musicians: John Ward, Lynn Ward, Les Woodley, Jim O’Toole, Dave Pullin, Ruth Alder and Helen Hudson. The new composition was arranged by Ben Parry and also sung by members of the Pakefield Singers, directed by Vetta Wise. Our socially distanced performance took place in beautiful All Saints and St Margaret’s Church, Pakefield, overlooking the sea, and we look forward to this arrangement being sung on the beach in the future by schools, choirs and community singing groups.
#FirstLightFestival #WinterSolstice