Artists for 2008 - Latest confirmed list
As in previous years we're putting together a great programme with something for everyone. See below for the artists confirmed so far - and check here regularly to see the latest news as there are more to come! Add this page to your favourites.
Download the 2008 list of events by artist.
Click the images or links below to go to the artist's website. All artists are subject to contract.
STOP PRESS! NIZLOPI play the Market Square on Sunday
Nizlopi is Luke Concannon and John Parker, two friends from Leamington Spa who’ve been writing and playing music together since their early teens. Luke handles the heartfelt lyrics, the soulful vocals, and his beloved guitar, whilst JP sets jaws-dropping with his masterful double-bass playing, his breathtaking human beat-boxing, and a little extra guitar playing of his own. With a background in the celtic folk tradition and a love of jazz and hip-hop, together these two young men have created a sound of their own with a huge national and international following.
In 2008, the band have a brand new album, ‘Make it Happen’. The guys have climbed mountains, crossed deserts (quite literally) and have sweated blood and tears to make this album the best it could possibly be, its been a tough road but well worth it. The new material features many of the band's musical friends, including Rory McLeod, Hobbit, Benjamin Zephaniah and Tom Richards from Jamie Cullum’s band. The first single from the album is ‘Start Beginning’ a song about ‘spring time and the reawakening of the soul’. It features the wonderful heavenly voices of London’s IDMC Gospel choir and has already been featured on two key BBC radio shows, Chris Evans and Tom Robinson.
Bellowhead
Bellowhead’s debut gig took place at the first Oxford festival in April 2004, brought together by the acclaimed folk duo John Spiers & Jon Boden. They dreamt up the band while stuck in traffic somewhere on the M25. John & Jon phoned Paul Sartin, Benji Kirkpatrick and Giles Lewin who all agreed to form the core of the new band while the duo were still on said motorway. The idea was to have an English traditional folk band at the heart of the collective, also capable of switching between a big band sound, funk styles, and a string section. The first gig was an instant success despite the fact that Bellowhead had only managed to spend one afternoon, in a scout hut, rehearsing. Later that same summer, Bellowhead managed to inspire such enthusiasm, on a balmy night at Sidmouth Festival, that an invigorated crowd broke the dance floor.
A plethora of festival appearances have since followed suggesting that Bellowhead are on their way to becoming one of the most popular bands on the live music circuit. The audience are left in no doubt as to the range and sheer virtuosity of this band and at prestigious events around the country - including Summer Sundae, Beautiful Days and Cambridge folk festival – they have rapidly aquired new admirers across generations and genres.
The band have long since transcended the idea of simply being a folk band with some brass players. They have honed a unique style, which sets them apart. Deeply rooted in the English folk dance tradition, they also merge a joyous, uplifting cacophony of sound with a slightly sinister, distorted collision of music hall, Lotte Lenya, Robert Wyatt and pure theatre.
Oysterband
Combine revved-up folk dance rhythms, well-phrased lyrics with pointed social commentary and insanely catchy melodies and you've got the Oysterband – one of the greatest British folk ensembles of all time.
The group's history begins in the late 1970s when an English folk-rock ensemble called Fiddler's Dram enjoyed a freak pop hit with the nostalgia flavored "Day Trip to Bangor." Fiddler's Dram released two albums and called it a day, but several of the musicians were also in the Oyster Ceilidh Band, an adventurous outfit who weren't afraid to bring rock 'n' roll energy to melodeon- and fiddle-led dance tunes. The group soon dropped the Ceilidh from its name and became Oyster Band and, in the 1990s, Oysterband.
On December 12, 2003, Oysterband organized a 25th anniversary concert that was held at the Forum, Kentish Town, London. Among the guest performers were June Tabor, an acoustic version of Chumbawamba and James o' Grady (uilllean pipes, violin, whistles, vocal); the concert can be seen on DVD. Oysterband followed that up with The Big Session, which featured a number of English, Irish and American musicians including Tabor, Eliza Carthy, Show of Hands, Steve Knightley, Jim Moray and the Handsome Family. The CD was a collection of performances where the guest artists chose the songs they wanted to do and Oysterband backed them up. As an outgrowth of The Big Session Oysterband produced a three-day festival of the same name. The first one took place in June 2005 and now it's a yearly event.
Breabach
Breabach are the one of the most talked about new acts on the Scottish folk scene. Their innovative celtic style, blending double bagpipes, whistle, fiddle, song and Scottish stepdance, brings to the stage, flare, excitement and diversity rarely seen from such a young group. Enviable musicianship coupled with a delightful ability to connect with their audience has gained Breabach international recognition as one of Scotland’s leading new acts.
Breabach were nominated for ‘Best Up and Coming Act’ in 2006 and most recently for ‘Best Folk Band’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2007. 2007 also saw the release of their debut album ‘The Big Spree’ under Vertical records and a hugely successful ‘Tune-up’ Tour throughout October.
"…stirring tunes and top notch songs…there will be few who can sit still when listening to these brilliant tunes, brilliantly played.” (Debbie Koritsas, Living Tradition)
Roy Bailey and Tony Benn
Winner of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Live Act in 2001, Roy Bailey and Tony Benn's presentation of "The Writing On The Wall" is a sell out success at theatres and festivals up and down the country. A presentation of an alternative view of how we got where we are today and where we could be going next, Roy and Tony give us a history of dissent in words and song, drawing on first hand experiences and the stories of the people they don't teach us about in schools. A hugely entertaining, and inspiring, show.
Bob Fox
Bob was nominated Best Folk Singer once again in the 2004 Folk Awards and his version of the Chris Leslie song My Love is in America, recorded on “BORROWED MOMENTS”, gained a nomination for Best Original Song.
Throughout 2005 Bob toured UK, USA, Australia and The Netherlands as well as appearing at many UK Folk Festivals in celebration of 30 years “on the road”.
Early in 2006 Bob was invited to join an elite group of folk singers, writers and musicians to record 6 new Radio Ballads commissioned by the BBC and produced and recorded by John Tams and John Leonard.
Bob can be heard on all but the first of these and the series of six received great critical acclaim. His working relationship with John Tams was so successful that when Bob recorded his most recent CD “THE BLAST” he asked John to produce it. Together they worked on the material and format of the album, mostly traditional songs with Bob’s superb voice accompanied only by his equally wonderful guitar playing.
"At last, the record we've been waiting for from Bob, it's the sound we hear in live performance, that astonishing guitar technique coupled with one of England's finest voices." - Ralph McTell
Apart from the usual grueling round of solo touring Bob teamed up with old mate Billy Mitchell ex-Lindisfarne front man for a very special duo tour in the Autumn of 2006 which resulted in a great live CD being produced called “5 Star B & B." (Bob thought of that!)
Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies
Jez Lowe and The Bad Pennies have been playing their songs and music of Northern England for a decade and a half around the folk festivals, clubs and concert stages of the world. "Acoustic simplicity coupled with electric vitality" was how they were described in their early days, and with half a dozen albums to their credit, along with solo albums by Jez and by other members of the group, their following has continued to increase.
In the last year alone they have played in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, Belgium and of course all over the UK and Ireland. Strong vocals, backed by outstanding instrumental back-up on guitar, cittern, fiddle, fretless bass, keyboards and Northumbrian Pipes, have made them one of Britain's top attractions on the folk/acoustic/celtic circuit.
Mrs. Ackroyd Band
Les Barker's strange imagination soars to musical heights on the stunning voices of Alison Younger and Hilary Spencer and the wizard keyboard arrangements of Chris Harvey, accompanied by a collection of hats, fruit and inflatable pigs.
The band, currently comprising Alison Younger, Hilary Spencer, Chris Harvey and Les Barker perform Les Barker's (mostly) comic songs. Alison is renowned for her fine voice, as well as her skill on the bombarde, a small Breton instrument of torture. Hilary, a temporary escapee from Artisan, has a truly gargantuan voice, more powerful than anything in the world except for Alison's bombarde. Chris Harvey is the musical brains behind the band's insanity. Les Barker is totally unmusical and completely insane in a quiet sort of way. Together, they'll give you an evening you'll never be able to forget. No matter now hard you try.
Brian McNeill
BRIAN McNEILL's professional career spans more than three decades and he is now acknowledged as one of Scotland's great musical forces; as a songwriter, composer, producer and musical director, as well as a performer. He was born in 1950 in Falkirk and began his musical training in his early teens with violin lessons, but soon forsook that for the electric guitar. There followed a comprehensive musical education and mildly misspent youth - until his student years brought him to Celtic music. As a direct consequence, in 1969 he formed the Battlefield Band, which became one of Scotland's best known ensembles.
Brian plays fiddle, octave fiddle, guitar, mandocello, bouzouki, viola, mandolin, cittern, concertina, bass and hurdy gurdy. The importance of his songwriting, mostly about Scotland's past and future, has long been recognised. Songs including The Yew Tree, The Lads O' The Fair, The Snows of France and Holland, Strong Women Rule Us All With Their Tears, Any Mick'll Do and No Gods and Precious Few Heroes have established him as one of Scotland's leading songwriters.
PJ Wright and Dave Pegg
Two prinicple and influential figures in the British folk-roots scene, who've seen action in Fairport Convention, Jethro Tull and more join forces this summer - Dave Pegg from Fairport Convention/Dylan Project & fellow Dylan Project band member PJ Wright undertake a UK tour this summer called "A Night Off With Peggy & PJ".
"I hope the title explains our approach," says PJ. "There will be a mix of my songs from Hedge of Sound, some Little Johnny England material, some of Peggy's songs and tunes from various sources, and a smattering of Sandy Denny and Fairport. We might even throw in a bit of Jethro Tull. Alongside this original material, we hope to play some cover versions of our favourite songs down the years."
"Add Peggy's skills as a raconteur and one or two of my duff jokes and it should be an idiosyncratic, rocking evening of virtuoso fun for nearly all the family," says PJ.
Bella Hardy
As a child Bella was always singing. She couldn't help it. Edale was the ideal place to nurture this natural ability, with an abundance of communal song. It was her mum who made her play the fiddle. She put up a lot of resistance, until she went to a Folkworks Youth Summer School aged 13 and realised that there were lots of very cool people her age playing folk music. They all made an effort to meet up again and on New Year's Day a year later, The Pack was formed.
She spent 3 years singing with trio 'Ola' and in 2004 she entered the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards as a solo artist. She got through the semis as an unaccompanied singer and went into the finals as a fiddle singer. Bella is now an acclaimed singer; her voice has been marked as '...mesmerising' and '...faultless'. As well as singing unaccompanied ballads, Bella entwines her voice with her own fiddle accompaniment to breathtaking effect.
Rachel Unthank and the Winterset
Dancing down the leftfield and singing in their own lilting Geordie accents, Rachel Unthank & The Winterset make friends of staunch tradition and sonic adventure. The all-girl Northumbrian quartet have courted the mainstream without diluting their folk music, luring fans as disparate as Phil Jupitus, Nic Jones, Joan As Policewoman, Kate Rusby, Alasdair Roberts and Stuart Maconie. Fearless, peerless and wholeheartedly brave, they do the North-East proud with the honesty and imagination they bring to its traditions. Also don’t rule out charming interpretations of songs by the likes of Antony & The Johnsons, Robert Wyatt and Bonnie Prince Billy.
Second album, The BAIRNS, licensed to EMI Records, is the follow-up to debut album Cruel Sister; Mojo Magazine Folk Album of the Year 2005. Launched at Cambridge Folk Festival, The BAIRNS is rich with the quality of centuries-old songs and the creative force of four young musicians at their peak. Rachel Unthank & The Winterset push themselves and the listener, reaching profound levels of emotional and musical complexity, chaos and clarity.
The Wilsons
The Wilson’s sing traditional songs as well as more contemporary pieces inspired by the folk traditions. The whole group are sensational singers, but there’s much more to a Wilson’s performance than great songs, the in between song banter is excellent and often hilarious. The one thing you will not forget is the sheer power of their voices.
Glorystrokes
Possibly the world's only metal/hardcore/trad english folk dance band, GloryStrokes bring together some well known names from the UK folk dance scene with a cataclysmic dash through their skeleton riddled musical closets.
Take two melodeons, add double kick drums, detuned guitars, beats, samples and weird keyboard noises and you're left with traditional music as it hasn't been heard before, bridging the barrier from barn dance to mosh pit.
Flossie Malavialle
A welcome return to Warwick for Flossie - her repertoire is very open as she likes all sorts of different music genres. Her songs include famous numbers, including Allan Taylor's "Roll on the day", Kieran Halpin's "Making up the miles", Colum Sands' "The child who asks why", Starrett and Laird's " John Condon" but also Edith Piaf's eternal favourites "No regrets", "La vie en rose"... or Jacques Brel's "Amsterdam" and "Ne me quitte pas"... She also loves songs full of energy or, as she calls them herself, full of "vavavoum" such as Bonnie Raitt's "Road's my middle name", Kris Kristofferson's "Bobby McGee" (Janis Joplin way), Marylin Middleton's "Wild women" etc... There's also space for lovely ballads such as Keith Pearson's "More hills to climb" or Harry Connick Juniors's "Sonny cried" as well as jazzy tunes like "Let's fall in love", "My romance" or "When I look in your eyes".
So even if you have never seen or heard her before, surely there will be something in her repertoire to suit your taste!
Last Orders
Joe (melodeon), Matt (guitar), Kev (fiddle) and Dave (fiddle) met when they were all members of Folkestra, a 17-piece band run by Kathryn Tickell at the Sage Gateshead. After putting together a set of tunes to record on a Folkestra CD, they realised that they loved playing together and decided to enter BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award. Having won this competition, they now hope to play at many festivals this year! They also love to play for ceilidhs and for people to dance to.
'Last Orders: they have a maturity of style that belies their youth - a sound that is greater than the sum of its parts and best of all a joy in sharing their music with others.' John Tams
Trinculo
Trinculo are a new band emerging from the vibrant folk scene within Sheffield and have a wide range of influences. Having all been involved in dancing and playing for dance for many years they aim to provide great music for dancing. Within and outside the band we all are heavily involved in the English traditional music scene. Trinculo play tunes from a variety of sources in an English style, but are increasingly adding self-penned tunes to our repetoire.
"Dark music, that! Scary chords reaching out like the shadows of trees in the night ..." - Fee Lock
Jamsons Nook
Jamsons Nook has emerged from the Midlands as one of the freshest, most exciting bands around right now. The band has been together for three years, and is made up of Ben (guitars, vocals,), Karen (drums, percussion), Olly (Decks, samplers), and Tim (Bass).
The recently released, self entitled, debut album is drenched in vibrant, hook filled, upbeat songs. Sounding somewhere between the afro-latin pop elements of Talking Heads, and the grooves of Paul Simon's classic Graceland, Jamsons Nook also throw in plenty of funk and folk etched with samples, and scratching throughout the 12 songs. Jamsons Nook have appeared on the same billing as; the Super Furry Animals, The Enemy, Human League, Ozomatli, Nizlopi, The Egg, and The Music, to name a few....
London Philharmonic Skiffle Orchestra
For those of you who have not heard of this illustrious group, perhaps I should explain what you can expect. Four, er, gentlemen? Just this side of insane. Four very talented musicians who play a variety of instruments from the more traditional violin, double bass, mandolin, etc, through the slightly quirky washboard and saw to a duck, rubber chicken and frog. Throw into the musical mix an eclectic dress code that changes seemingly randomly throughout the evening, music that moves so fast that you can barely catch your breath, stir in a large dose of wacky humour and you get the flavour of this group. Dick Deciduous almost literally props up the manic behaviour of the group with his large bass, whilst Captain Cabbage allows his more eccentric take on life full rein. Somehow the two Martins (Mike Martin and Martyn Oram) steer a clever path through the craziness with superb musical talent.
Eileen McGann
Soaring vocals, insightful lyrics and a powerful ability to make both her own and traditional songs come alive for audiences: these qualities have made Eileen McGann a mainstay at festivals across Canada, the US and Great Britain for almost two decades. Eileen tours with acclaimed multi-instrumentalist sideman David K., on Irish bouzouki, bass, National tri-cone and harmony vocals.
Her live performances have been featured on national radio programs in Britain, Canada and the U.S., including CBC's "Morningside" and "Gabereau", NPR's "Mountain Stage", and "River City Folk"; a BBC Radio International broadcast from the mainstage of the prestigious Cambridge Festival, and a BBC2 National broadcast from the Sidmouth International Festival.She has played the major folk festivals across Canada and Great Britain as well as Philadelphia and other U.S. Festivals.
George Papavgeris
Martin Carthy says of him, "George is something special", while the likes of Vin Garbutt, Roy Bailey, Andy Irvine, Roy Harris, Martyn Wyndham-Read, Johnny Collins and many others are asking to sing or record George's songs.
Mike Blair, reviewing one of George's CDs for the "Unicorn" magazine, says aptly, "Whatever his subject, George seems to know just the right words to use, and some of his colloquial rhymes are wickedly precise. He is also very adept at finding an oblique angle on his subject Above all, George is a fine observer of human behaviour, with the musical ability to make his observations memorable."
Keith Donnelly
... stand-up comic, fall-down comedian, surreal snigger-songwriter, guitar-hero, performance-artist, [tall] story-teller, philophoser, scriptwriter, [none can] compere, man-of-mystery, inner-childminder, actor, stuntman, metaphysical-poet, human ping-pong ball, life and soul of the [kids] party, world-class athlete, leading socialite, raconteur, business tycoon, wit, author, half-wit, secret[sh!]-agent, [vauxhall] astral-traveller, shamen, geordie-cultural-attache, word-juggler,snake-charmer, underline-dancer,unexpected clairvoyant, dream-weaver, daydream believer, psycho-linguist, shark-wrangler, smile sculptor, [compulsive] lying-tamer, Great-British eccentric, [alleged] international-jewel-thief, hot-dog-skier, alien-abductee, zen grand-master, champion tiddly-winker, sandancer, friend to the pantomime horse, erstwhile slice of bacon, and all-round good egg.
4Square
4Square are four young musicians who play and sing a melodic blend of tunes and songs. From foot stomping reels, to weaving Eastern melodies, to heart wrenching songs, as well as many self-compositions, they play with technical prowess that defies their age, as well as fiery energy, and always a touch of fun.
This Manchester-based quartet burst onto the folk scene in December 2006, and are currently working on their debut album.
Jim Couza
Jim Couza is an American hammered dulcimer player born in Massachusetts, and resident in England since 1982. In addition to the hammered dulcimer, Couza also plays Appalachian dulcimer and guitar. He has made several recordings, both solo and with the D'Uberville Ramblers. He has also worked with Björk on the album Post, and with Peter Gabriel on OVO (Couza is featured on a track called "The Time Of The Turning (reprise) / Weavers Reel"). He has also worked with Celtic singer songwriter Jim Fox, performing at many venues and festivals around the UK.
Jack McNeill and Charlie Hays
Jack and Charlie met at college and began playing as a duo in the easter of 07. Charlie has played in several folk bands including Sonas and Rubber Chicken, and plays fiddle in her dad's band back in Hampshire. Jack who is from Cumbria has supported artists such as Kirsty McGee and Matt Martin, Po' Girl and The Wailin' Jennies, played the emerging music slot on the main stage at Brampton Live summer 06. As a duo they played Ireby folk festival 07, three seperate gigs at Warwick Folk Festival in 2007 and supported Dave Swarbrick and Martin Carthy at the Red Lion folk club in Birmingham this September. Jack and Charlie were also finalists in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards 2007.
The Maerlock
The Maerlock has been performing since 2002 and its current five-piece line-up eventually evolved into fiddle, flute, piano, guitar and bodhran in 2005. Their music is a fresh take on the traditional tunes and songs of the British Isles as well as repertoire drawn from Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. Characterised by high-energy rhythms, at times surprising harmonies and always with a vigour and subtlety of melodic delivery, the band has forged for itself a unique sound.
The Maerlock’s concert set showcases both instrumental and vocal numbers, intricate and rhythmically complex arrangements, as well as slow airs and good old foot-stompers. The band have also been known to play for ceilidhs and are well-known for their provision of high quality entertainment at many a wedding or party in the North-West and beyond!
Ceridwen Davies
Ceri is a young fiddle player with a maturity that belies her age.
She has been performing since she was seven; and has recently performed at many of the Midlands festivals, including Alcester, Burntwood, Festival at the Edge, Bromyard and Banbury. Ceri is set to make an excellent reputation on the folk scene, we wish her well and can’t wait to hear her contribution to the Shrewsbury Folk Festival.
Maz O'Connor
Maz O'Connor is a 17 year old folk singer from Cumbria. She sings unaccompanied traditional songs, and has also performed with Last Orders, the winners of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2007. She recently won the Fred Jordan Memorial Singing Competition at Bromyard Folk Festival.
The QP
"A fusion of genres, taste and talent in this youthful exciting 'folk-rock' band! - a definite must hear!!" The QP are made up of six musicians from the Warwickshire area and has been extremely well received at each gig played, including recently supporting Eleanor McEvoy and the Tim Edey band, and playing at the final of the "New Roots" competition in St Albans.
The band has many years of festival experience under its collective belt with each member active in other groups as well as The QP. Playing a mixture of traditional and original numbers, ranging from acoustic songs to Klezmer influenced folk-rock the QP promise a full and varied show. Definitely one to watch out for!
The line up consists of; Will Pound (of Steamchicken) - Harmonica, Susie Bones (of Danansooz) - Vocals and Whistle, Dan Bones (of Danansooz, Delta Blues Band) - guitar and bass, Lolly McIntosh (of Four in a bar ceilidh band) - Flute, Joe Crum (of Crum Family Band)- Drums and Guitar, Matt Crum (of Steamchicken, Crum Family Band, add9, Black Swan Rapper) - Keyboard, Melodeon, Soprano Sax and Darabuka.
Dave Webber & Anni Fentiman
Dave and Anni joined forces in 1985, after spending many years around the folk club scene, in which time they featured on several albums made by other performers.
Although Dave and Anni perform substantially at home in the UK they also make at least one trip each year to the United States, where they have an established following and have also performed in Holland, Denmark and Finland.
Anni has developed a specialist repertoire of songs originating from her native North East, and Dave has been writing songs in traditional vein since 1982 many of these are widely sung and have become part of the general song repertoire of singers all over the world.
Hissyfit
Hissyfit are a close harmony group based in Beverley East Yorkshire. Hissyfit are Linda Kelly and Hazel Richings. Linda comes from the Midlands and Hazel from Scotland but Yorkshire is our home. They sing their own songs, based on the traditional values of English and Scottish folk music and the fishing heritage and cultural richness of the East Coast. They have had air time on Radio Britfolk BBC Radio GMR and have appeared at Hull Sea Fever in 2005/2006/2007 together with Saddleworth & Cleckheaton Folk Festivals in 2007.
Tom Bliss
Tom Bliss has been compared as a writer with Steve Knightly, Steve Tilston, Jez Lowe, and even Bruce Springsteen(!) with many songs already being mistakenly credited as Trad Arr. His sympathy and enthusiasm for ancient musical forms and language, and his understanding of the craft of songwriting, from show tunes to hymns to pop, coupled with dilligent research and attention to detail, has made him one of the handful of performers on the folk circuit today whose work is admired by modernist and traditionalist alike.
The Keelers
The Keelers were set up in 1986 in time for the Newcastle Tall Ships' Race. In fact, their first gig was a recording for BBC Radio Newcastle at the newly opened Fenham studios.
The group continued as predominantly a shanty group for several years, doing all the main maritime festivals in England and several in Europe, notably Holland, Frieseland, France, Germany, and Poland. During this time the group rose to seven with the joining of Danny McLeod and George Unthank.
Today we are down to a hard core of four, and whilst we still do shanties and sea songs, we have branched out a bit. The last album, North Sea Ground, has a number of north east songs, particularly of the pits, and is greatly helped by Alan's ability to put great tunes to otherwise dead poems.
Bedlam
Vibrant, pulsating and with a huge following nationally, Bedlam are without doubt one of the most exciting and highly acclaimed dance bands on the ceilidh scene today. Bedlam have been performing at festivals and on the ceilidh circuit across the UK since 1995. This foursome blend traditional British, French and self-penned tunes with driving rhythms and powerful harmonies to create their unique and highly inspiring sound.
Dustbowl String Band
We draw our repertoire from the deep well of classic Americana - barn stomping Old Time flatfooting tunes and hillbilly honky-tonk, sweet mountain ballads and gospel the way it is sung in little clapperboard church houses across West Virginia and the Carolinas – and on a good night we’ll play blues so lonesome it’ll make you cry. It’s the music that made America smile when times got tough - and still makes tired feet tap and slide in the older, kinder America that you find down quiet back roads and in the hills and hideaways of the mountain states. And just like the locals, we sneak in a bit of rock n roll and Tin Pan Alley to spice it up some.
Sambassadors of Groove
Sambassadors of Groove are a Warwickshire-based 25-piece community Samba Band who play the kind of percussion rhythms that can be heard at Carnival time in Rio! They are therefore proud to present their interpretation of this style of Brazilian 'folk music'! This will be their third appearance at Warwick Folk Festival, where they take great pleasure in opening the free concert in the Market Place on Saturday night.
Formed in Leamington Spa in 1998, the Band have gone from strength to strength, playing all over the UK at such varied events as Sidmouth Folk Festival, the Fairport Convention "Fringe Festival" at Cropredy, Leamington Peace Festival, Newport and Kenilworth Carnivals, Hebden Bridge Music Festival, Atherstone "Dickens Night", Loughborough "Streets Fair", the "World in your Streets" festival in Coventry, as well as 'gigs' at Warwick, Leicester, Coventry, Nottingham and Northampton Universities. Later this year they have also been invited to join various German samba bands to perform at the Cologne Marathon! Wherever they play they delight audiences of all age groups with their Brazilian-style rhythms, and in their alternative guise as the "Leamington School of Samba" (or 'Bloco') they adhere passionately to the ethos of being part of the local community, accepting new members regardless of age, ability, race or gender."
David Ferrard
David Ferrard is a 29 year-old Scottish American singer-songwriter who crosses the boundaries of folk and country music. His voice has been compared to John Denver and his writing to Woody Guthrie and John Prine. His songs tell stories about his and others' lives, and are marked by a strong commitment to social justice and peace.
An ability to get under the skin of different characters has won him songwriting competitions, and a unique performace style has made him one of the most popular local performers, selling out shows at Edinburgh's 2006 International Festival Fringe. He won the prestigious Celtic Connections 2006 Danny Kyle award which has led to festival appearances all over the UK.
Paul & Liz Davenport
Paul and Liz Davenport are Hull-born and bred, and there is a touch of the Watersons in their strong voices and natural understanding. Paul is a recent editor of the EFDSS magazine English Dance and Song, while Liz is descended on her mother's side from the widespread Smith travelling family - strong song-carriers for many generations.
The Tindalls
A lovely unaffected family, and what a change to see children willing to perform and to use their talents in such a confident and positive way. It is well known that harmonies blend best with family members and, together with each of their individual instrumental skills, they produced some lovely songs. Different groupings add interest and variation to their sets and overall reflect a professionalism which only comes from years of performing live.
Gordon Potts
Gordon is arguably the best-known ceilidh dance caller in the country and he is also still a member of the committee which organises the Knees Up Cecil Sharp Ceilidhs at Cecil Sharp House. Larger than life, Gordon is one of the three remaining members of the original Committee Band line-up. Responsible for much of the "jangly" guitar sound of the band, Gordon was with Diane a member of Wizzard Wheeze, and is a member of the Hammersmith Morris Men.
See Gordon with Bedlam on Friday.
Martyn Harvey
Martyn Harvey's ability to make a ceilidh come alive and be enjoyed by everyone there is second to none. His enthusiasm is infectious and his seemingly endless repertoire of dances ensures that everyone is catered for.
See Martyn with Glorystrokes on Saturday.
Kel Elliott
Kel Elliott - Warwick based singing double bass playing writer, with a fresh optimistic Jazzy Blues style. Her songs have catchy melodies and an infectious groove, her vocals are rich and powerful, ballsy and sweet. Kel has already clocked up a fair few miles over the last few years gigging in South Korea, New Zealand, India, France, Ireland and at a whole host of festivals and clubs across the country; most recently The famous Bedford in London, which was streamed live on the internet.
Kel is influenced by the likes of Tom Waits, Michelle Shocked and also inspired by contemporaries such as Norah Jones, Madeleine Peryroux and Kt Tunstall. Kel will be joined on stage by Kelvin Leitch on guitar, Leo Steeds on keys and Tom Voce on percussion. Check her out on www.kelelliott.com or www.myspace.com/kelelliott.
Tina Taylor
I've been singing for as long as I could talk, started playing the guitar as a distraction, some wasted years in pub work put me out of commission, but after beating off strong competition (With a VERY big stick!) to win the "Fred Jordan Memorial Trophy for Young Unaccompanied Traditional styled singers" at Bromyard Folk Festival in 2005 a few opportunities to play have come my way and I haven't looked back. So far I have graced the stage at Bromyard, Warwick, Mansfield, Alcester and Moor & Coast Folk Festivals, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers who booked me and invite any who haven't to do so!
Hex
Hex are a three part harmony group comprising Ruth Price and Terry & Linda Dix. Hex perform a savage rendition of traditional 3-part harmony, featuring rousing shanties and chorus songs. Not for the squeamish!
Paul and Glen Elliott
This duo play Irish traditional and contemporary song. The skill of the duo and the gusto of their music has delighted crowds for over two decades. Paul's voice is vibrant and passionate. Glen uses subtle fiddle accompaniment and powerful Bodhran. Influenced by Christy Moore, Luke Kelly, and self penned from life's rich experience. They have played in Bruhl, Norway, South Korea, Sanitni Ketan, Calcutta, throughout England and Eire.
Paul and Glen Elliott will have been married for 30 years on July 9th. If you know Paul and Glen then you will appreciate that this is nothing short of a miracle.
The Great Bonzo & Doris
An exclusive use of prop based comedy by this mad cap duo. Material visualized by Bonzo in his dreams and lovingly collected together over the last decade to form a menagerie of comedy.
Well what can we say! Thoroughly entertaining? Brilliant comedy? Pure Genius? Or down right rubbish? Life Defying. Seeing is believing.
Dr. Sunshine
Doctor Sunshine's Pavement Show was founded by Dave Hunt ("Doctor Sunshine") and the late Vic Baker ("Professor Wingnut") over thirty years ago. Since then we have entertained and made friends with thousands of children at hundreds of festivals, community events, birthday parties and in schools!
We specialise in audience involvement and participation with lots of funny songs, rhymes, tongue twisters, stories and games. These can be Stage Shows but we prefer more informal settings. Lots of fun and laughter, along with some VERY silly songs ensure that everyone takes part and has a great time.
