You may have seen that at our Alternative Escape event this year we’re collecting for the Darryl Weeks Trust. As well as being a loving and loved father, husband, brother and friend, Darryl was also a much-loved member of the music community, and his sudden passing in February was both a massive shock and a massive loss to all who were lucky enough to know him.
He was a true music lover who would regularly fly over from Canada for Great Escape festival, and his presence will be sorely missed. Darryl had two young children, and so we’re raising money for the trust set up for them in his name, so please donate generously for this very worthy cause, and raise a drink in his honour at some point over the weekend.
“This is my soul brother Darryl Weeks. We lost him and I’ll never forget the incredible journey we shared together. I am forever grateful to have had a friend like him in my life, he was definitely one of a kind. I love you DW, thank you for your kindness, guidance and friendship.” Trevor Larocque, Paper Bag Records
“I first met Darryl at the Great Escape and in a place so full of energy, he stood out like a beacon, always smiling and bursting with ideas. His sheer love of life was the first thing that struck me – swiftly followed by a smile as big as The Rockies and a sense of humour that made being near to him an absolute joy. We became fast friends and would speak every day on the phone – we planned projects together and were excited about the future – his life being cut short is a huge loss to me, a major blow to the bands he worked with, and those he had not yet met – but above all of this, Darryl was a Dad and a husband – so many people will miss him.
In an industry that can sometimes be a little too serious for its own good, Darryl was a breath of fresh air. He is much missed and it’s important we keep his memory alive. His like are very few and far between.” Tim Burgess, The Charlatans
“I first met Darryl at The Great Escape, working for Paper Bag Records. He turned up at our courtyard party and we immediately hit it off. The first thing that struck me was his enthusiasm and passion for music, a real music lover. We soon discovered we shared many favourite bands and chatted for hours about music and our joint love of The Charlatans. From then on we met up every year at The Great Escape to drink, hang out watching bands and talk music, and he was probably one of the most genuine and nice people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.
His life was cut tragically short, before his time, and he will be sorely missed by everyone lucky enough to have known him, but never forgotten. The Great Escape won’t quite feel the same without Darryl’s smile. A true gentleman.” Mark McQuillan, Republic of Music