YouTube Stars Added To Beatles Music Festival In Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — Brothers Rah and Amiri Taylor, who became YouTube stars after their spot-on cover performance of John Lennon’s and Paul McCartney’s vocals in a New York subway station went viral, have been added to this weekend’s Fab 4 Music Festival in Wallingford. The festival, New York/New England's regional Beatles-themed music festival, will "come together" at the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford on Saturday, June 9. There will be a total of 20 bands playing both indoors under the Dome, and outside on the "Octopus' Garden Patio, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

After their performance garnered more than half a million views on YouTube, Rah and Amiri Taylor were invited to perform and tell their story on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Their band is named Blac Rabbit. As a result of their television exposure, Rah and Amiri, were invited to play the Fab 4 Music Festival. The internet sensations and media darlings will be closing the "Octopus' Garden" outdoor patio stage with a 7:30 p.m. set. Read more from the press release below and watch videos from the performances at the end of this story.

This popular family-friendly Music, Foods & Arts Festival, produced by longtime Beatles fan and promoter Charles F. Rosenay will feature the music of The Beatles, their solo material and classic songs from the sixties. Along with the great entertainment of 20 bands, there will be Beatles and music memorabilia dealers & vendors, exhibitors, kid-friendly activities, along with food trucks and other attractions.

Other outside patio artists on the "Octopus's Garden" stage include Dramatic Turn's Brideau & Miller, Fools On The Hill Sal & Allen, Dizzyfish Acoustic with Eric Herbst, The Navels, Scott Ringle, David Tessier's Pre-Fab Monkees All-Star Show and Suns of Walrus.

Bands on the "Pepperland" main stage indoors include such New Haven area bands as The Hofners, Penny Lane, Number Nine, The Taxmen, Corporation TeaShirt and Take Two & Call Me In The Morning. Also performing under the Dome on the Pepperland stage are Rotary, Double The Dial, Pat Horgan's Thunder Road and Beatlehead.

Aside from Rah and Amiri Taylor, another national act will also be performing at the festival, 60s rock band The Fifth Estate, who had a hit on the Billboard charts in 1967 and were also contacted by The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein to manage them.

Rosenay is very much looking to the event, which is the 40th anniversary of his very first Beatles Convention in 1978, and it's the 50th anniversary of some famed Beatles albums. In 1968, The Beatles produced their most whimsical work, "Yellow Submarine," as both a record and theatrical animated film, and they also recorded their most intense collection of songs released as a 2-record set, "The White Album." In celebration of the 50th anniversary of these historic releases and the year 1968, advance "Ticket to Ride" general admissions are only $19.68 (plus any service fees). There are also V.I.P. tickets available. Note that admission will be higher at the door. Advance tickets available at Ticketmaster.

The "Fab 4 Music Festival" on Saturday, June 9, 2018, is presented by Rosenay's Liverpool Productions in partnership with Live Nation. Festival MCs will be Rosenay and radio personalities Brian Smith from WQUN and Ken Michaels from WNHU and KenMichaelsRadio.com. The official charity of the festival is "Concert With Causes," a 501-c3 Wallingford charitable organization. There is ample free parking.

With a full day of fab 4 fun, 20 bands and non-stop music for all ages, as The Beatles sang, "It's Guaranteed to Raise a Smile."

Watch their interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show below:

Contributed photo via EllenTube