River Reeves' dad on Rivfest and his journey since losing a son

If he is not at the shop and community space – which pays tribute to Viola Beach and raises funds for the River Reeves Foundation – then the former head of Penketh High School can be found behind his desk as a school improvement partner for Lancashire County Council.

That involves working with more than 600 schools.

Ben is also a busy dad, with three kids under 18, and then there is the small matter of organising Rivfest, the annual festival in memory of his son River Reeves. His wife Sharon is just as busy but for the family that balancing act is all part of coming to terms with the enormous loss of a loved one.

“Life is completely bonkers,” he said.

“We know it will calm down at some point but there is no sign of that happening yet. I think there’s an acceptance that this is now our life and that there is no other option.

“The drive to make the shop a success, the drive to continue to raise money for the River Reeves Foundation and provide bursaries for young people and to have an amazing legacy for River is all consuming.

“We balance that with the fact we still have three children under the age of 18 and Fin who is 25. It’s a difficult balance. There is no question.”

Ben lost his son in a road accident in Södertälje, Sweden, when the car he was travelling in plunged into a canal.

River, who was 19, along with his Viola Beach bandmates and their manager Craig Tarry were on their way home from the band’s first international gig on February 13, 2016.

More than three years on, the family along with a small but dedicated band of helpers will be paying tribute to River and the indie pop quartet at the fourth Rivfest at the Pyramid.

Funds raised go towards the River Reeves Foundation which provides bursaries for young people who want to pursue a career in the arts who might otherwise be held back.

Ben, who lives in Grappenhall Heys, added: “We are fortunate to be surrounded by and are humbled by amazing people.

“No one gets paid within this charity and they give up their time willingly to do incredible things.”

At the top of that list is Mike Grainger, festival coordinator and music tutor who taught River and Viola Beach frontman Kris Leonard at Priestley College.

Mike has been involved with Rivfest since the big festival at 2017 when Maximo Park and Billy Bragg performed and he has been curating the line-up since.

Ben said: “This is now the fourth Rivfest. He finds all those bands. It’s a great line-up and really without Mike it wouldn’t happen.”

Although the festival is a celebration, Ben also admitted it is hard for the family as it makes them miss River even more.

Ben, dad to Fin, 25, Quinlan, 15, Dylan, 11, and Jasmine, 10, added: “Everything that we do is driven by the fact that River was an amazing person and we don’t want to ever forget him. So whenever we have the festivals and we see these young bands coming through and we see them performing, there isn’t a minute that goes by when River isn’t in our heads.

“When we first lost him it was horrendous and it still is horrendous.

“But I think what happens over time is that the good things and the good memories that you have become really important. There are tricky times when you’re bringing up teenage children.

“When we first lost Riv I would torture myself a little bit about things like when I’d moan at him. As time goes on, you’re a bit kinder on yourself and remember the good times you had and the amazing memories. Rivfest is kind of part of that which is why it’s so important to us.”

The festival has changed over the years. There was a small event at Priestley College in 2016 to an audience of 300 people just to get it up and running.

It increased in size tenfold in 2017 with headline performances by Maximo Park and Billy Bragg.

Ben said: “It’s still spine-tingling when I look back on that year and we’ll do it again on that scale.”

Rivfest was scaled back last year to become a multi-venue festival involving Parr Hall and at this year’s event on Saturday there are around 35 acts on three stages at the Pyramid.

There is also a more collaborative approach this time with partners including Culture Warrington, Warrington Music and Liverpool music collective Whispering Pines.

Ben added: “It does feel like each year we’re on a different journey and each year we’re trying to do a different thing.

“But I think what links all the four festivals so far is the quality of the bands that have been playing.

Viola Beach

“Wherever we have it, however large or small Rivfest will be in the future you can always be guaranteed that you’ll be listening to amazing talent.

“In terms of young talent coming through I think this is the best line-up we’ve ever had.

“We’re thrilled to have The Ks headlining. They’ve just signed to Alan McGee’s Creation23 label and we know, like with The Lottery Winners who we had last year, success is just around the corner. It’s brilliant to have Saytr Play performing again. They were with us for Rivfest 17 and Fred Farrell is such a talented performer and artist.

“My favourite is probably Warrington’s Kula Bay.

“Come along and you’ll discover loads of new bands before they go on to bigger stages.

“You’ve got something like 10 hours of music across three stages.”

Ben was also involved with a gig at the Parr Hall in November for musicians who are still in school which reinforced his belief in what he is doing with Rivfest.

He said: “I think it’s important that talented musicians in schools can see that pathway with opportunities like that then you’ve got Warrington Music Festival and Rivfest for up and coming talent and Neighbourhood Weekender every year.

“If I was a 13-year-old guitarist in Warrington I’d see that pathway to play a huge national festival and the stepping stones to get there. I’m really excited about what we’re part of in Warrington. I can’t imagine not doing Rivfest because it feels by running the festival as well as doing things like Riv’s Runners and having the shop that we are that little bit closer to River.

“We’re not in denial that we’ve lost him but it’s a way of keeping his memory alive and celebrating what was an amazing 19 years.

“It’s always bittersweet but the option isn’t there to not do it because we’d feel in a strange way like we’d be letting him down.”

Rivfest takes place at the Pyramid on Saturday. Visit pyramidparrhall.com for tickets