Recently, British band, Viola Beach died in a fatal crash in Sweden after their first gig as a band outside of the UK. Following their deaths, people on the internet have come together to appeal to the rest of the world to help this band get to number one in the UK charts.
Viola Beach were a four piece Indie band from Warrington, England. The band consisted of Kris Leonard (20), River Reeves (19), Tomas Lowe (27) and Jack Dakin (19). They were also predicted to be the ‘next big thing’ in music after a string of gigs around the country throughout last year and more to be played this year. Where’s The Music? was their first overseas gig on Friday 12th February. They were due to play a gig in Guildford, Surrey the next day.
People from around the world have got behind the band since their death and are currently campaigning for the band to get number one using the hashtag #ViolaBeach4Number1. As the iTunes chart stands, ‘Swings & Waterslides’ is placed at number two while ‘Boys That Sing’ is at number 22.
Get Viola Beach to number 1, four talented young lads taken too soon. RIP ????? #ViolaBeach4number1 pic.twitter.com/qDpyrqvO86
— Lauren ?? (@LozzaSFC) February 17, 2016
Viola Beach have overtaken the likes of Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Shawn Mendes and are just behind Lukas Graham’s 7 Years which sits at number one.
As well as the general public campaigning for the band to get the top spot, celebrities have got involved to pay their respects, too.
Mark from The Script wrote on Twitter: ‘Viola Beach RIP. Please guys lets help them get to no. 1 by buying ‘Swings & Waterslides https://t.co/xjwgqzuvRW’ big love.M’
Along with The Script, other musicians are paying their respects and sharing Viola Beach’s single on Twitter.
Kasabian wrote: Let’s get @Viola_Beach to number one x https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/swings-waterslides/id1029171223?i=1029171366‘
The Stone Roses wrote: ‘RIP @Viola_beach – let’s get them to No.1 – http://itun.es/i6Yx8dF One Love x’
Liam Gallagher wrote: ‘Viola Beach – Swings & Waterslides – https://itun.es/i6Yx8dF RIP LG X’
While the internet is working it’s known magic to pay tribute to the band and their respects to the family, friends and fans of Viola Beach; the people of Warrington, the town that the band originated from, have come together to do a tribute of their own.
Family and friends have left a tribute outside The Lounge in Warrington where candles, beer bottles, flowers and a guitar have been placed.
Family and friends gathered on Monday evening to commemorate Viola Beach; singing their songs and generally just paying their respect.
So so glad I got to see the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen tonight. Completely speechless pic.twitter.com/XBn98qUnzi
— #ViolaBeach4Number1 (@nick_gartland98) February 15, 2016
It’s safe to say this band had so much more to give; new gigs to play, new songs to produce and new music videos to release.
At the end of January the band travelled to Warrington, Manchester and London to film the music video for ‘Boys That Sing’.
We can’t wait to watch the new video for ‘Boys That Sing’ and we can only imagine what success the band would’ve achieved this year.
A statement from the band’s management/label said that all proceeds from Viola Beach’s recent sales will go to their families.
Pay tribute to the band by helping the campaign to get Viola Beach to number one by purchasing ‘Swings & Waterslides’ on iTunes. It’s been reported today that the band will make their chart debut on Friday and are headed straight to the top 10.