Summer 2018Between The Vines

The couple in tune with Rochdale’s music scene

Between the Vines, Rochdale born and bred musical country duo, are huge advocates for the town, and say that the fastgrowing town centre scene has really hit the right note for local artists.

Rebecca and Kev Whitehead are husband and wife, as well as music partners, and they say Between the Vines was formed not only as a chance to make music together, but also to be able to play at the town’s thriving venues. The pair also have their own separate projects, with Rebecca singing solo all over the borough, and Kev playing with some quite well known names including Dare, Idol Frets and John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest.

Regardless of the band they are with and the stage they are on, both Kev and Rebecca are all about playing in Rochdale, the town they know and love. Rebecca said: “Rochdale’s music scene is a community, and we love being a part of that.

“There are so many amazing local musicians around the borough, and they’ve really started coming out of the woodwork in recent times.

“There’s a new energy around town, it’s turning into something great, something even better than before. We love our town and it means a lot to us to gig here. It’s where we belong.”

Kev, who contributed to Lisa Stansfield’s new album ‘Deeper’, added: “Rochdale has had some bad press over the years, but those of us who live and breathe the town know what a wonderful place it is. When it comes to music, it’s hard to beat.

"Both Rebecca and I absolutely love gigging in our home town, we love playing together on stage here. Rochdale has a lot to offer, and we’re proud to be from here.”

Kev and Rebecca are an inseparable married couple who were brought together through their love of music.

There’s an electricity between them which warms the heart and fuels the music they make, making Between the Vines a wonderful act to watch live. Having met at Rochdale’s Gracieland Studios on Edenfield Road, they began working together before falling in love and getting married.

“I was working on my first album and Kev walked in and caught my eye,” said Rebecca with a grin.

“I later found out he was the drummer which is exactly what I needed at the time. We started working together and the rest is history, we fell for each other and we’ve been together ever since. Making music with the person you love is unbeatable, it really is.”

She added: “It was a long time dream of ours to be able to perform together so I decided to learn to play guitar on my 30th birthday. We wrote material together and that’s when the ball really got rolling. Then, finally, in 2016 we performed our first gig at Vicolo del Vino. It was a very memorable evening.

"Now we play frequently all over Rochdale and we feel it’s where we belong.”

Ben Boothman, owner of The Flying Horse Hotel in Rochdale town centre, said: “Kev and Rebecca are both brilliant musicians and you can tell Rochdale is in their blood. Isn’t it brilliant when people can be so proud of their town like that?”