Virgin Balloon Flights hosted a sensational performance by British soul diva Beverley Knight in a hot air balloon during the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.
Beverley’s session and interview were filmed for Virgin Red Room - Virgin.com’s online music show presented by Nissan Juke - and are now online to view here.
Her Virgin balloon took off with scores of other balloons from Bristol’s Ashton Court flew right across the city and landed an hour and twenty minutes later near Doynton, to the east.
Beverley performed forthcoming single Cuddly Toy, originally released by Roachford in 1988, from her 7th studio album ‘Soul UK’ produced by Grammy Award Winner Martin Terefe (James Morrison, Jason Mraz) and Future Cut (Beyonce, Lily Allen). Soul UK was released last month to widespread critical acclaim and was the week's highest new entry on the UK album chart.
The album is a tribute to British artists who have influenced Beverley and features interpretations of songs by the likes of Soul II Soul, Omar and Jamiroquai.
During the flight, Beverley described the ballooning experience to her followers on Twitter:
‘I cannot even begin to tell you how thrilling this is! @virginredroom @virginballoons. Interview with @HenryOnAMission now. Xxxx’
‘Thank you @virginredroom @HenryOnAMission @virginballoons for making a dream come true! Xxxxx :-) During the flight, Beverley described the experience for her followers on Twitter.’
Back on the ground, Beverley said she had thoroughly enjoyed her visit to the fiesta and especially the balloon flight itself.
She said: “I enjoyed every minute of the flight and really didn’t want it to end. It was nothing like I thought it would be because I expected to hear the wind and for it to be bumpier, but it was smooth, silent and so clear up there. I would love to do it all again tomorrow,” she added. “It was an amazing place to perform. When I was singing the sound just disappeared into the air, so you really had to listen and focus. “Mark the pilot and the Virgin Balloon Flights crew were wonderful. They explained everything so lucidly that you always knew what was happening and we landed upright which was perfect.”
Virgin Balloon Flights pilot Mark Simmons, from nearby Melksham, is a regular participant at the famous balloon event.
He said: “Flying in the Bristol balloon fiesta is always fantastic and floating skywards at 1,000 feet with Beverley singing in the basket of our balloon was amazing. She’s an incredible performer and seemed to really enjoy the flight. It was an experience none of us will forget.”
To buy a balloon flight voucher over Bristol or beyond with Mark and the team visit the Virgin Balloon Flights website.