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TRIBUTE: Viola Beach

By Abi White on 15th February 2016 in Culture, Music

TRIBUTES have been paid from around the world for all four members of the British indie-pop band, Viola Beach and their manager after they tragically died in a car crash in Sweden over the weekend.

Aged between 19 and 32, Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe, Jack Dakin and manager Craig Tarry had only just played their first gig outside the UK prior to the tragedy.

The Warrington based band were dubbed “incredibly promising” by Radio 1’s DJ, Huw Stephens, and were described to have “invigorating energy, colour and urgency” and dubbed “an exciting and talented band” by BBC Introducing.

Condolences have been expressed by fellow bands and music lovers alike across the industry, expressing their heartache towards the band and their manager.

Absolutely devastated for the loss of Viola Beach and Craig Tarry. Our thoughts are with their friends and families. pic.twitter.com/Fg52on42as

— B L O S S O M S (@BlossomsBand) February 14, 2016

We're all absolutely devastated to hear about @Viola_Beach. Thinking of their families and friends at this awful time. Heartbreaking. Xxx

— Courteeners (@thecourteeners) February 14, 2016

Fans at the Barclays Premier League game between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur also paid tribute to the Warrington based band before the game and in the fifth minute.

A new campaign has now been launched to get the band’s single, ‘Swings and Waterslides’ to number one in the charts.

So sad about viola beach ? #ViolaBeach4number1

— Izz (@izzyvioletxx) February 14, 2016

#RIPViolaBeach #ViolaBeach4number1 Such great music, and all these comments are very true ?? pic.twitter.com/vLVKjS5wH0

— luke (@GROW1NGPA1NS) February 14, 2016

Yesterday, their record company announced that all the money made from the sale of singles will go to the families of the group and their manager. The company commented that Viola Beach had “everything going for them – great songs, passion, talent, drive… everything that a band should have.”

The track, ‘Swings and Waterslides’ is currently placed at number five in the charts, but everyone is hoping we can get them to the top spot to help them achieve their dream of having a number one single.