Latest news with #Watkins
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Steps star Ian ‘H' Watkins forced to change name of latest project after he's SUED by festival giant Coachella
FORMER Steps star Ian 'H' Watkins was forced to change the name of his festival Cowchella — because it was too similar to Coachella. Watkins organised a small event including a Harry Styles tribute act and actress Advertisement 3 Cowchella has now been renamed Moo-La-La Festival after the American festival complained Credit: WNS 3 The former Steps star was stunned to get a complaint from Coachella, the famous festival in California with 250,000 fans But he was stunned to get a complaint about the name from Coachella, the famous festival in California with 250,000 fans. Watkins' show at his home town of Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan is now called the Moo-La-La Festival. The Welshman, 49, said: 'I'm taking it as a massive compliment that they feel that our little festival is a little bit of a threat to their ginormous, juggernaut of a machine. 'It's a little bit mindblowing. What we're doing is very, very different to what they do. Advertisement READ MORE SHOWBIZ NEWS 'We don't have Beyonce performing. "We have a Steps tribute act and also they don't have myself, He added: 'We've spent a lot of money on marketing and flyers and posters and banners that are all visible around the town. 'So yes, those will have to go in the bin but let's just do that, rather than have any more people knocking on our door.' Advertisement Most read in Music Breaking Exclusive 3 Former Steps star Ian 'H' Watkins was forced to change the name of his festival Cowchella — because it was too similar to the huge US event Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Coachella's biggest disasters from star who stormed off stage to silent crowd row
ITV News
11 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
‘Mindblowing' Coachella forces Welsh festival to change name
Steps star Ian 'H' Watkins has said it is 'mindblowing' that Coachella has forced his small Welsh festival into a name change. The social media accounts for Cowchella in Cowbridge, the Vale of Glamorgan, went down, and its Eventbrite tickets page had its name disappear amid a complaint which Watkins said was from Coachella Ltd, the US festival in California. On Sunday, new social media accounts were set up for the renamed Moo-La-La Festival, hosted by Watkins, actress Claire Sweeney and BBC Radio 2 presenter Owain Wyn Evans. The post explained the 'fab new name' and that tickets would remain valid for the inaugural event in August. Welsh singer and actor Watkins, 49, said they thought at first the social media sites were 'hacked', before finding an email with an 'official complaint from Coachella'. 'I'm taking it as a massive compliment that they feel like that our little festival is a little bit of a threat to their ginormous, juggernaut of a machine,' Watkins said. 'It's a little bit mindblowing… what we're doing is very, very different to what they do. 'We don't have Beyonce performing. We have a Steps tribute act… and also, they don't have myself, Claire Sweeney and Owain Wyn Evans, hosting, which in my book, is much better than Beyonce.' He also said he was happy the small Welsh festival is a 'talking point' and people 'love that Coachella has put Cowbridge on the map' as well as admitting that 'luckily, it wasn't like, the week before because that would be the disaster'. Watkins did acknowledge that thousands of pounds spent on 'marketing costs, posters and banners' would be 'a financial impact that we have to absorb'. He said: 'We've spent a lot of money on marketing and flyers and posters and banners that are all visible around the town. 'So yes, those will have to go in the bin… but let's just do that, rather than have any more people knocking on our door.' He also said that 'there's lots of festivals' that use this concept including the Welsh event GlastonBarry, with a name inspired by Glastonbury in Somerset, which has not appeared to come up against the same issue. Watkins said the idea of the festival formerly known as Cowchella was to 'make it accessible for families that can't afford to go to Cardiff or London' for music events that can cost hundreds of pounds. 'We wanted… to provide an amazing place where everybody could come have a great time, make it family friendly, accessible,' he said. He said the festival will remain the same, despite the name change, and promised 'great food, great drink' on Saturday, 2 August, at Bear Field. Watkins also highlighted 'the number one tribute acts in the country' such as Harry Styled UK, Got to be Taylor Swift, Got to be Steps, Got to be Mamma Mia and Wickedly Hariana would perform. 'Our town is so beautiful, but there's so much untapped potential there, which is why we keep creating events (such as Pride),' he said. 'We do the panto in town, so many amazing things. I decorate the town hall for armistice. I do a lot in the town just to bring a lot of joy, and it's a town that should be celebrated, and that's what Moo-La-La, as it's now called, will be.' Watkins rose to fame in the dance-pop group, Steps, and has appeared on ITV show Dancing On Ice as well as mystery Dial M For Middlesbrough. His group celebrated 20 years since their formation with a comeback album and UK tour in 2017 and in 2022 they released a platinum collection album.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Robbie Fowler names Premier League striker as ideal summer signing
Robbie Fowler Backs Proven Premier League Striker for Liverpool Role When a striker of Robbie Fowler's pedigree speaks, people listen. The former Liverpool great, whose 183-goal tally puts him among the pantheon of Anfield legends, has identified one name he believes could lead the line for the Reds—Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. Photo: IMAGO Speaking candidly during a fan Q&A on social media, Fowler replied to a supporter's query about Liverpool's striker options with a typically succinct endorsement: 'I'd take Ollie Watkins… works hard, got goals in him.' That sentiment, shared by Robbie Fowler, reflects more than just nostalgia or sentimentality. It underlines a pragmatic view of what Liverpool may need this summer if Darwin Núñez departs. Watkins brings goals and graft Watkins' Premier League output is no accident. He has scored at least 11 league goals in each of his five top-flight campaigns, a feat that speaks to his consistency. His 17 goals in all competitions for Aston Villa last season were bettered by only Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo in the Liverpool squad. Photo: IMAGO Fowler earlier described Watkins as 'a tremendous player and established and experienced in the Premier League,' underlining the blend of quality and know-how he could offer. Importantly, Watkins is also robust. While Diogo Jota's recurring injuries have disrupted Liverpool's attacking rhythm, Watkins has been a near ever-present for Villa. Age profile versus proven ability At 29, Watkins sits outside the usual FSG recruitment profile, where value and resale potential are prized. Yet, this may be a summer of exceptions. Arne Slot's Liverpool is emerging from a transitional period, and while the club is reportedly investing heavily in Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, having a guaranteed goalscorer ready to plug straight into the starting XI could be vital. Photo: IMAGO Moreover, Watkins qualifies as homegrown and wouldn't need time to acclimatise to the pace and rigour of English football. With Darwin Núñez reportedly considering a fresh start, and the forward line yet to find its post-Klopp rhythm, the argument for a reliable No. 9 grows stronger. Financial challenge ahead As Fowler hints, landing a player like Watkins won't come cheap. With Aston Villa unlikely to welcome offers below premium market value, Liverpool would likely have to shell out a significant fee. Advertisement Still, if Liverpool are serious about growing the gap at the top and reasserting domestic dominance, they may need to revisit their transfer rulebook. Watkins, by all accounts, looks like a ready-made solution. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis There's a strange tension at Anfield these days: one part looking forward under Arne Slot, another still clinging to echoes of the Klopp era. In that space, the idea of signing Ollie Watkins feels both logical and jarring. Logical because he guarantees goals, runs himself into the ground for the team, and is Premier League-proven. Jarring because, at 29, he's not the shiny, untapped gem FSG usually pursue. Advertisement It's hard not to see the appeal. Watkins doesn't need adaptation time. He won't hide in big games. He doesn't miss two months with a hamstring strain. And if Núñez is heading out, we can't afford to be sentimental or naive in our pursuit of a replacement. But the concern is whether FSG would be willing to spend £60 million-plus on someone without resale value. If we're already investing heavily in Wirtz and Frimpong, would they go that far? In truth, it's not about age. It's about what the squad needs. And if Robbie Fowler is pointing toward Watkins, maybe it's time the club listened—not just to data models, but to those who've worn the shirt and scored the goals.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Coachella in legal row with tiny Welsh festival over its name
Steps band member Ian H Watkins expressed astonishment after his modest Welsh event, Cowchella in Cowbridge, was compelled to alter its name due to pressure from the behemoth California based music festival Coachella. The local festival's social media presence vanished and its Eventbrite ticket page lost its original moniker following a dispute that Watkins told the PA news agency originated from Coachella Ltd, the company behind the huge American music festival. By Sunday the event had re-emerged under the new banner of Moo-La-La Festival which will be hosted by Watkins alongside actress Claire Sweeney and BBC Radio 2 presenter Owain Wyn Evans. In a new update the original Cowchella festival announced its "fab new name" assuring that tickets already purchased would be honoured for the debut gathering set for August. READ MORE: Everyone warned to clear their windowsills from Monday READ MORE: Man who mowed down young girl on scooter gets early prison release after just a few weeks Watkins said he was initially shocked when he received notice of the warning from Coachella, believing their social media accounts had been hacked before encountering an "official complaint from Coachella". Watkins was philosophical about it, seeing the complaint as a flattering acknowledgment of Cowchella's potential. He said: "I'm taking it as a massive compliment that they feel like our little festival is a little bit of a threat to their ginormous, juggernaut of a machine." But he said he couldn't believe they received the complaint in the first place. "It's a little bit we're doing is very, very different to what they do. "We don't have Beyoncé performing. We have a Steps tribute act... and also, they don't have myself, Claire Sweeney and Owain Wyn Evans, hosting, which in my book, is much better than Beyoncé." He expressed his delight that the event has become a "talking point" and that people "love that Coachella has put Cowbridge on the map" while also admitting that "luckily, it wasn't like, the week before because that would be the disaster". Watkins conceded that the thousands of pounds spent on "marketing costs, posters and banners" will be "a financial impact that we have to absorb". "We've spent a lot of money on marketing and flyers and posters and banners that are all visible around the town. So yes, those will have to go in the bin... but let's just do that, rather than have any more people knocking on our door." Many festivals adopt similar names including the Welsh event GlastonBarry, which is a play on Glastonbury in Somerset, and hasn't faced the same issues. The Cowbridge festival, which Watkins said would feature "the number one tribute acts in the country", will continue as planned on Saturday, August 2 at Bear Field.
South Wales Argus
15 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Steps star Ian Watkins renames South Wales music festival
Watkins previously revealed he would be producing his first ever music festival - Cowchella in Cowbridge in August 2025. However, the Vale of Glamorgan resident has now been forced to rename the event Moo-La-La Music Festival after complaints from Coachella. Coachella forces Steps star to rename South Wales music festival The social media accounts for Cowchella went down recently, and its Eventbrite tickets page had its name disappear amid a complaint, which Watkins said was from Coachella Ltd, the US festival in California. On Sunday (June 1), new social media accounts were set up for the renamed Moo-La-La Festival, hosted by Watkins, actress Claire Sweeney and BBC Radio 2 presenter Owain Wyn Evans. A post on the new accounts explained the reason behind the 'fab new name' and that tickets would remain valid for the inaugural event in August. Watkins, who himself lives near Cowbridge, told the PA news agency that they thought at first the social media sites were 'hacked', before finding an email with an 'official complaint from Coachella'. Ian "H" Watkins taking complaint as "massive compliment" for small Welsh festival Watkins said: "I'm taking it as a massive compliment that they feel like that our little festival is a little bit of a threat to their ginormous, juggernaut of a machine." 'It's a little bit mindblowing… what we're doing is very, very different to what they do. 'We don't have Beyoncé performing. We have a Steps tribute act… and also, they don't have myself, Claire Sweeney and Owain Wyn Evans, hosting, which in my book, is much better than Beyonce.' The 49-year-old Welsh singer added he was happy the small Welsh festival is a 'talking point' and "Coachella has put Cowbridge on the map'. However, he admitted that 'luckily, it wasn't like, the week before because that would be the disaster'. The Moo-La-La Music Festival is hosted by Ian "H" Watkins (pictured), Claire Sweeney and Owain Wyn Evans. (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire) The change in name is set to leave Watkins thousands of pounds out of pocket, having to absorb 'marketing costs, posters and banners' himself. He said: 'We've spent a lot of money on marketing and flyers and posters and banners that are all visible around the town. 'So yes, those will have to go in the bin… but let's just do that, rather than have any more people knocking on our door.' Watkins said the complaint came as a surprise as "there's lots of festivals' that use a similar naming concept, including GlastonBarry, whose name is inspired by Glastonbury in Somerset. When is the Moo-La-La Music Festival and what to expect The date for the Moo-La-La Music Festival will remain the same, set to take place on Saturday, August 2, at Bear Field. The idea of the festival, formerly known as Cowchella, was to 'make it accessible for families that can't afford to go to Cardiff or London', Watkins said. 'We wanted… to provide an amazing place where everybody could come have a great time, make it family friendly, accessible,' he added. 'Our town is so beautiful, but there's so much untapped potential there, which is why we keep creating events (such as Pride)." Moo-La-La Music Festival lineup The Moo-La-La Music Festival website reads: "Whether you grew up in the '70s, '80s , '90s or you're all about today's chart-toppers, there's something for everyone." The lineup for the festival is: 12.30pm - 2pm: Doors Open & DJ Doors Open & DJ 2pm: Wickedly Hariana (Ariana Grande & Wicked the Musical tribute) Wickedly Hariana (Ariana Grande & Wicked the Musical tribute) 3pm: The Sabrina Tribute (Sabrina Carpenter tribute) The Sabrina Tribute (Sabrina Carpenter tribute) 4pm: Total Boybands (Tribute to Take That, One Direction, Blue, Westlife, Robbie Williams & The Wanted) Total Boybands (Tribute to Take That, One Direction, Blue, Westlife, Robbie Williams & The Wanted) 5pm: Got To Be Girl Power (Olivia Rodrigo, Spice Girls, Girls Aloud, Destiny's Child, Sugababes, Kylie & Atomic Kitten) Got To Be Girl Power (Olivia Rodrigo, Spice Girls, Girls Aloud, Destiny's Child, Sugababes, Kylie & Atomic Kitten) 6pm: Harry Styled UK (Harry Styles tribute) Harry Styled UK (Harry Styles tribute) 6.45pm: Got To Be Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift tribute) Got To Be Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift tribute) 7.30pm: Got to Be Steps (Steps tribute) Got to Be Steps (Steps tribute) 8.30pm: Got to be Mamma Mia (Abba tribute) Got to be Mamma Mia (Abba tribute) 9.30pm: Got to be Venga (Vengaboys tribute) RECOMMENDED READING: Are tickets still available for Moo-La-La Music Festival? Tickets to Moo-La-La Music Festival are still available to purchase via the Eventbrite website. Ticket prices for the event are as follows: Toddler admission - £6.13 (plus £1.13 fee) Child admission (ages 5 to 15) - £15.87 (plus £1.87 fee) General admission (16+) - £19.12 (plus £2.12 fee) Carer's concession (proof required) - £15.87 (plus £1.87 fee) Moo-La-La Music Festival will take place on Saturday, August 2 at Bear Field in Cowbridge.
