Ceilidhs
As shown in previous years, the ceilidhs are a hugely popular part of the Warwick Folk Festival experience. As always we're bringing the best ceilidh bands to town to make sure the weekend goes with a real swing!
Listed below are the callers and bands booked so far for 2008 - keep checking this page for latest information!
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Callers
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.
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.
Pete Rees
Pete Rees is one of the new breed of young callers making a big name for himself on the folk dance scene. Having been dancing since he was a youngster he developed an interest in calling and had called with several top bands whilst still in his teens! He has a very easy style and a great collection of dances. Gordon Potts says of him: "He should be good, he's pinched all my best dances!" He always presents a well balanced and carefully thought out performance. Originally from Bristol, Pete is now based in London.
Pete Rees will be calling for the Sunday night ceilidh with Trinculo.
Ceilidh bands
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.
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.
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
