Artists for 2010 - Here's who's booked so far!
As in previous years we hope you agree that we put 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!
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To read about the artists, scroll down or click a link to see artist information, then click the images or links below to go to the artist's website. All artists are subject to contract.
John Tams & Barry Coope
Singer, songwriter, actor, a man of many talents, John Tams is accompanied by long time friend, Barry Coope, from Coope Boyes and Simpson.
John Tams described by Mojo as one of the ultimate British songwriters has had a career spanning four decades in every medium. A member of the Albion Band and Home Service he is perhaps best known for his work at the National Theatre and as Rifleman Daniel Hagman in the Sharpe television series. He is a five times winner of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. In 2009, John was delighted to be made an Honorary Doctor of Letters by his home county university, the University of Derby, presented by His Grace, the Duke of Devonshire.
Recently, John has been working with the Band and Bugles of the Rifles on a charity single for Help for Heroes. He was approached by Winchester based Rifles Bandmaster WO1 Adrian Kingston as the band had been playing Love Farewell, a traditional song that John had taken and reworked with additional lyrics for the Sharpe series. The single was released for Christmas 2009 and is available from the Help for Heroes website as a download or as a cd. The single was adopted by Help for Heroes as their official Christmas release and all the money raised goes towards repairing the minds and bodies of servicemen and women. John has the honour of singing with this band of hugely talented musicians under the baton of Captain Mark Purvey, Director of Music, The Rifles.
LAU
Pictured here by David Angel, Lau have been described as a formidable union of three of the finest and most innovative exponents of modern traditional music in Scotland today.
Kris Drever is an Orcadian multi-instrumentalist, from singing and guitar playing to banjo and double bass. Martin Green grew up playing English and Irish traditional music in the south of England. He has played with many of the great singers and players of English music including Martin Carthy, Norma Waterson, Kathryn Tickell, Linda Thompson, and a long-term collaboration with Eliza Carthy culminatining in a duo album "Dinner" released to great acclaim in 2001. Aidan is a fiddle player and composer from Oban on the West Coast of Scotland. He has toured extensively in Europe and North America from the age of 15 and has made his name as one of Scotland's most expressive and dynamic musicians.
The trio's uniquely exhilarating synthesis of deep-dyed traditional artistry with voracious musical iconoclasm continues to win converts across genre boundaries, and, as befits the newly-crowned Live Act of the Year (at the 2009 Scots Trad Music Awards), their primary creative crucible remains the concert stage. - Sue Wilson's Review in the Living Scotsman, 4th December 2009.
Jim Moray
At the age of 21 Jim Moray was hailed “…the greatest leap forward in folk for 30 years” (Neil McCormack,The Daily Telegraph) and “the most significant musician since Bob Dylan to decide that the folk idiom is the perfect vehicle for his musical adventures” (Bruce Elder, Sydney Morning Herald). amongst other extravagant claims, his debut album ‘Sweet England’ was called “the most significant new development in English folk music since Fairport Convention's Liege and Leif.” (Nigel Williamson, Uncut) and “a revolutionary experience” (Nige Tassell, HMV Choice). Critics worldwide fell over themselves to tip Moray for great things.
In 2008, he delivered on that promise with ‘Low Culture’, an album of ten songs that defines exactly where English traditional music is at in the early 21st century. Managing to accommodate guest spots from both folk legend Roy Bailey and Jasper Future of NME darlings Art Brut, Low Culture plays on Moray’s skill for picking bits of the past and present and re-imagining them for the future. In the process, seminal traditional ballad Lucy Wan is shaken back to life in collaboration with British-Ghanaian rapper Bubbz as a Folk-Grime epic, The Rufford Park Poachers – first recorded on wax cylinder by source singer Joseph Taylor in 1906 – becomes burning hurdy-gurdy driven alt-rock, and XTC classic All You Pretty Girls is co-opted as a sea shanty for a crew featuring folk singers Tim Van Eyken, James Fagan, Nancy Kerr and Jim Causley. But, far from the tokenistic approach of his peers, Moray weaves a cohesive whole that links traditional song seamlessly into modern popular culture rather than discriminating between the two. “If folk song is the music of the people then it’s surely wrong to treat it as ‘high art’ that should be preserved unchanged. Folk music is low culture.”
Mutenrohi
A real hit at 2006's Pontardawe festival, this fantastic band have been and playing in their native Galicia and throughout Europe for over 10 years. A blast of joyful Galician celtic music in a througoughly modern style. Superb music - full of energy.
Mutenrohi are:
Juan Carlos Fernandez Fasero - Vocals and guitar;
Ivan Salgado - Piano and keyboards;
Blas Segura Jiménez - Bass;
Carlos Campos - Violin;
David Outumuro - Drums;
Cesar Martínez - Galician pipes (Gaita) and flutes.
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)
Jackie Oates
With nominations for best interpretation of a traditional song frome Spiral Earth, not one but three nominations from the BBC folk awards as a result of her album Hyperboreans, and a nomination for best female vocalist from the FATEA awards, Jackie's star is certainly in the ascendant.
Since appearing as a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards 2003, she has performed extensively at festivals and folk clubs across the country, both in a solo capacity and with a number of bands. She was a founder member of Northumbrian group and Mercury nominated Rachel Unthank and the Winterset until early 2007, and has since guested with Van Eyken, the Reg Meuross Band and Show of Hands.
Dàimh
Over 36 feet tall and weighing more than 1/2 a ton.... Dàimh, the ultimate Scottish, Irish, Cape Breton, Californian group!
The charging pipe and fiddle led assault that has seen the 'Pirates of Puirt' rocking far and wide (and nominated for best group at last years trad music awards) is now joined by the amazing vocals of (mod gold medalist & Trad Music Awards; Gaelic Singer of the year nominee 2006) Calum Alex MacMillan from Lewis, adding the depth and power of gaelic song to an already phenomenal instrumental arsenal.
ColvinQuarmby
ColvinQuarmby's powerful original songs, intelligent - often ingenious lyrics and fine musicianship have built this five-piece band a strong word-of-mouth national following. Their musical style stubbornly refuses to be pigeonholed, hardly surprising when they combine guitars, drums and percussion with fiddle, cello, squeezebox and spine tingling five part vocal harmonies. Setting them apart from the rest is creative front man Gerry Colvin. His energy is infectious, joyous and endearing, fuelled by a sense of the absurd, and inspires between-song banter that the country's top stand ups would kill for.
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.
2Duos
Four well renowned and successful musicians from Europe - two from Scotland and two from Germany - all with a passion for Irish, Scottish and German folk music. This highly original musical combination has discovered the common ground and kinship between two great traditions and blended them into a new and exciting sound. The 2duos have been wowing both audiences and critics alike since their formation.
Dave Burland
I came up watching Carthy, Nic Jones and Dave Burland who is a beautiful guitar player, a great accompanist. Martin Simpson
The excellent Mr. Burland... Richard Thompson
Dave Burland, one of my all time heroes. June Tabor
Jeff Warner
With warmth, humor and understated scholarship, Jeff Warner connects 21st century audiences with the music and everyday lives of 19th century people. He presents musical traditions from the Outer Banks fishing villages of North Carolina, to the lumber camps of the Adirondack Mountains and the whaling ports of New England. His songs have the stamp of authority and real experience (Tykes News, Yorkshire, UK). He has honed his craft in front of audiences across the country at festivals, museums, clubs and schools. His songs, rich in local history and a sense of place, bring us the latest news from the distant past.
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.
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!
Trí
Trí play fresh exciting tune sets from the Irish Dance tradition. Niamh adds expressive vocals to traditional and original songs and introduces Irish Step Dancing into their sets. Despite their ages they all have several years experience playing at Folk Clubs and Festivals; between them they have already played at Bedworth, Bideford, Brampton Live, Fylde, Sidmouth, Swanage and Warwick Festivals and have supported Isambarde, Kerfuffle, Niamh Parsons, Queensbury Rules, Ruth Notman and Spiers & Boden. Band members are All Ireland Fiddle Champion Ciaran Algar (Fiddle, Bodhran) Niamh Boadle (Vocals, Guitar, Whistle, Step Dance) Neal Pointon (Fiddle, Mandolin, Banjo).
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.
Since their humble beginnings in a freezing cold farmhouse near Rochdale in the Winter of 2006, this band’s music has gelled and matured into the funkiest, most energetic and powerful music you shall hear from the British folk music scene today.
The QP
A fusion of genres, taste and talent in this youthful exciting 'folk-rock' band!
The QP are seven talented musicians who play an exciting mixture of traditional and original numbers, ranging from acoustic songs to Klezmer influenced folk-rock; Matt Crum (Melodeon, Soprano Saxophone, Keys), Joe Crum (Drums), Will Pound (Harmonica), Laurel McIntosh (Flute), Dan Bones (Guitar), Susie Bones (Vocals, Whistle), Tim Yates (Bass). Their debut CD "Intro" has been nominated for the 2010 Spiral Earth Awards “Best Debut” category.
fRoots:Heaps of rhythmic trickery, bags of oomph and crossing of ethnic styles.
Living Tradition:The sheer verve and commitment that leaps out of the band members
R2:Splendid album which demonstrates just what a magnificent pleasure folk music can be.
SpiralEarth:A stunning blend of folk, jazz, funk, rock and blues, it's folk without a safety net.
Maverick:Great young folk group who are destined for the top.
Keith Donnelly:Forget the “X-Factor”, try the “QP-Factor”. This band rocks!
Walsh & Pound
Will Pound and Dan Walsh are two of the most exciting and unique young musicians on today's folk scene. Labelled respectively as one of the most original harmonica players in Britain and the UK's top Clawhammer banjoist, the two have joined forces to create a highly entertaining and astonishing live set which made its debut in May 2009 at Manchester's Chetham's School of Music to a rapturous reception. Since then they have played at The Sage Gateshead, London’s Southbank Centre and various other festivals and 2010 sees them working in groundbreaking projects at The Barbican London as well other festivals, theatres and folk clubs. A debut album is due out in 2010. Prepare to be astonished by frailing banjo wizardry and sounds you didn’t think were possible on harmonica. Styles of music range from Bluegrass, folk, Jazz, Eastern European, Funk, Blues and Arabic.
Moore, Moss, Rutter
Moore, Moss, Rutter are a trio of young musicians from around England. They play mainly traditional English, Quebecois and French music, but obtain influence from numerous styles and traditions. Tom Moore plays fiddle, Archie Churchill-Moss plays melodeon and Jack Rutter plays guitar and sings. In 2010 they will be performing at Folk Festivals across the country - look out for this lively, fresh young band.
Albin Paulus
Albin is well known throughout Europe for his work not only with the wonderful Hotel Palindrone but also with numerous other groups, playing a dazzling array of instruments. Based in Vienna, Albin has long been acknowledged as a master of piping and, what's more, a truly lovely and inspirational musician. Friendly and full of humour with a real command of his instruments, Albin will be doing workshops on The Bock and grande cornemuse.
Stealing Sheep
Stealing Sheep are a low-carbon band, they promoted eco-friendly music on a tour in October 2009 called 'BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED'. They cycled to each one of their gigs with all of their instruments in a bike cart. They are continuously exploring eco-friendly sound amplification such as pedal power and old fashioned brass megaphones.
the unexpected highlight of the festival! Southwell folk festival 2009
Niamh Boadle
Deserving winner of last year's Fred Jordan Memorial competition at Bromyard Folk Festival, 15-year old Lancashire singer, guitarist and step-dancer Niamh was also a finalist for the 2009 BBC Young Folk Award. Appearing in her own right, Niamh makes up one third of the highly talented and frighteningly young trio, Trì who took last year's festival circuit by storm and are also performing at Warwick this year.
Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts
Katriona Gilmore (Rosie Doonan & the Snapdragons) and Jamie Roberts (Kerfuffle) have been performing together on the folk scene since 2006, while studying together at Leeds College of Music. Their self-penned material ranges from blazing instrumentals to songs which have been described as ‘heart-wrenching’, spanning all manner of subjects, to contemporary arrangements of traditional songs. Jamie’s dextrous percussive and lap-style guitar work is a visual as well as a sonic delight, while Katriona’s intricate fiddle playing shifts seamlessly from sensitive to fiery and back again in the blink of an eye.
Whapweasel
Voted BBC 2 Folk awards best dance band for 2005. Whapweasel are at the forefront of contemporary English roots music weaving colourful strands of folk, rock, ska and East European sounds into a wonderful melee that will leave no toe untapped. Prepare for a hoe-down!!
Over the years Whapweasel have delighted audiences at venues all over the country from birthday ceilidhs and village halls to Sidmouth International Festival, Cambridge Festival and The Big Chill.
Sheer quality playing, imagination and variety... What sets them ahead of most other bands in the field is that all their tunes are original... The beauty of these tunes is that they're absolutely in the idiom... Though they must be one hell of a band for ceilidhs, their imagination sustains repeated listening with ease. The best new dance band I've heard in at least a decade. Ian Anderson, fRoots
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.
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.
Dogan Mehmet
A diverse mixture of Southern English and Turkish folk songs, self-penned material and driven tunes from English Morris as well as Cypriot traditions give Dogan his own captivating sound. His talent and confidence belie his young age and he makes a storm wherever he goes with his effervescent personality and huge enthusiasm for life and for his music.
Maz O'Connor
Hailing from Cumbria, Maz sings unaccompanied traditional songs, and has also performed with Last Orders, the winners of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2007. She won the 2007 Fred Jordan Memorial Singing Competition at Bromyard Folk Festival.
Spinndrift
Spinndrift are creating fresh and lively arrangements: a vibrancy within their music which jumps playfully between tradition and new writing with joy and ease. Beautiful vocals and subtle instrumentation.... this band have great potential! Karen Tweed
A fantastic young band - lush layers of instruments and a singer to die for. James Fagan
Emma and the Professor
Emma and The Professor captivated the audience with their powerful and daring arrangements of traditional songs, with transitions from subtle and sublime to driving and bluesy within one song! Coupled with friendly and engaging banter, Emma and The Professor are a fantastically engaging duo. Nick Duxbury - Chipping Norton Folk Festival
It is an organisers dream to happen upon relatively unknowns who blow you away. Mark is pushing the bodhran across all musical boundaries and Emma, well we're simply gobsmacked. The best new female voice we've heard this year. Both Sides of The Tweed
The perfect festival artists who joined in with the spirit of the event as performers and participants... an absolutely class act who stole the festival. Glasson Festival
Rob Halligan
Rob Halligan has a reputation for his passionate live performance and his maverick approach to life. Considered by many as ‘one of the finest unsigned performers on the scene’, Rob’s song writing looks at life from an alternative perspective. 2009 saw the launch of Rob’s fourth CD, ‘Christians Brother’ recorded with Graeme Duffin and produced by Sandy Jones (both of Wet Wet Wet) and featuring guest performances from Yvonne Lyon, Gareth Davies-Jones and Dave Lyon.
Isambarde
“ISAMBARDE are a folk band with tremendous energy and enthusiasm. They are the unusual and winning combination of Chris's driving guitar, Emily's incisive fiddle playing and Jude's lyrical oboe coupled with great full on vocal harmonies. They play a great set and are an asset to any festival bill. Book 'em!!” PHIL BEER
“Driving acoustic guitar rythms woven together by silken melodies on oboe and fiddle.” CATH MUNDY and JAY TURNER
Tyde
Tyde are a Trio from Northumberland and Scottish Borders who play guitar, accordion and fiddle. They are Seth Tinsley, Heather Gessey, and Andrew Waite. Based in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, their music draws extensively on the traditions of those regions.
They came together as a trio in April 2008 whilst on tour in Spain with the Sage Gateshead's youth folk ensemble, Folkestra, and were finalists for the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2009.
Suntrap
If you want performance ranging from sweet melancholy to out and out power; if you want to be wooed, thrilled, moved and above all entertained then you must see this band! Featuring some of England’s strongest young singers, Suntrap will dazzle you with their big harmony sound. Sometimes spiky edged, sometimes achingly beautiful. Their material ranges from the richly textured to stripped back solo a cappella.
This is handcrafted music played by a double fiddle section, guitars, accordion, bohdran, whistles and harmonica, carefully woven around shimmering, slipsliding vocal harmonies.
Suntrap perform a mesmerizing array of music including their own material and the best of the traditional and contemporary folk repertoire. The songwriters (Sara Byers and Paul Hoad) create original, innovative works drawing on English song tradition and American Folk & Country.
Kristy Gallacher
Kristy Gallacher is a singer/songwriter from Coventry. Having graduated with a Music Composition degree from Coventry University in 2008, Kristy has supported Scott Matthews, Glynn Tilbrook (of Squeeze), Nerina Pallot, Polly Paulusma and Nizlopi. With acoustic songs of life, Kristy continues to play them to anyone who will listen!
"The reason Kristy is one of Coventry's most talked about artists is quite simple - She's brilliant!" - Dayle Crutchlow - Coventry Evening Telegraph.
"Kristy Gallacher has a fantastic voice and a fantastic collection of songs - all bruised, streetwise defiance. Singing in a voice like crushed petals she managed to do what the very best songwriters do - let you glimpse her soul and see yourself reflected in its surface." Jack - The Bomb Factory.
Jim Mageean
Known as "Shanty Jim" for many years, his knowledge of sea songs, infectious enthusiasm, and powerful singing made him the obvious choice to set up a Tyneside shanty group. The first influence on him was Louis Killen, resident at the Bridge in Newcastle in 1963, where Jim started singing. A little later he met "The Master", Stan Hugill, a man who is almost single-handedly responsible for the high profile of shanties in the folk revival. In 1975, he moved to London where he was resident at several excellent clubs, notably Dingle's, the Herga, and The Cellar in C Sharp House. He also teamed up with the late Johnny Collins to create a formidable singing duo which toured for 25 years.
The Carrivick Sisters
Twin sisters Charlotte and Laura Carrivick have grown up playing and writing music together. Their unique style shows their strong bluegrass influences without obscuring their English roots. With tight harmonies that only siblings can achieve, they perform their original songs on guitar, fiddle, mandolin, dobro and clawhammer banjo. They have performed both in the UK and internationally.
Borderline Crossing
Playing a lively mixture of acoustic folk, blues and American-influenced music, this Warwickshire line-up features one-time Las Vegas resident Chele Willow on vocals, her English husband Pete Willow on guitars and vocals plus Coventry kid Dave Cook on lead and slide guitars. Most of their material is written by Pete although they are just as likely break into powerful acoustic arrangements of songs written or recorded by Jackson Browne, Sam Cook, Ry Cooder or Bruce Springsteen. Pete describes how he first heard Chele sing when he visited her in Vegas: She fronted a gospel rock band at her local church and I was knocked out by her vocals. It took me a while to convince her to sing more now she’s living here but she's gone down a storm with British audiences since she started to join me and Dave on stage.
GU4
Unaccompanied English traditional song from Pete Burnham, Miggy Campbell, Karen Harris and Bill Wilkes. Since GU4 started singing together in late 2005 they have enjoyed performing at a variety of clubs and festivals and received much encouragement and praise. Performances typically embrace a wide variety, ranging from the gentle and sensitive love song to the raucous chorus. The songs are largely drawn from the tradition, but the repertoire also includes material from Peter Bellamy and contemporary writers such as Benny Graham, George Thomas and our own Miggy Campbell.
Gorgeous harmony singing and plenty of opportunity for you to join in with them. Their infectious love of singing shines through like a beacon. - Paul Ryan, Black Diamond Folk Club
Pete and Barbara Snape
In an age when the folk scene is a slave to this year's model, when musicians and singers are trying to cram as many notes and vocal tricks as possible into a melodic phrase, Peter and Barbara opt for a simpler approach. As such they embody an uncluttered, more organic attitude - the very spirit of what I call, real Folk. Peter's superlative melodeon playing allied to Barbara's crystal-clear, unaffected vocals make the Snapes a refreshing alternative to an awards-fixated, media-driven Folkerama. Clive Pownceby — Bothy Folk Club, Southport, May 2008
Samuel Walter
An unaccompanied folk singer from Malvern, Sam Walter is modestly making a name for himself on the festival circuit. With an infectious spirit and rich deep voice, Sam sings tales of Jacobite uprisings and Napoleonic wars, often giving impromptu performances whilst working as a volunteer at folk festivals. Determined ...to revive the spirit of traditional English folk song, Sam’s joy for singing has earned him rapturous applause (thefly.co.uk), last year the 20 year old made his radio debut on Janice Long’s radio 2 show.
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! Pure Genius? Thoroughly entertaining? Brilliant comedy? Or down right rubbish? Life Defying. Seeing is believing.
Monster Ceilidh Band
Outrageously foot stomping sounds - Off the Tracks Festival
Monster Ceilidh Band receive Time Out’s Critics’ Choice for their concert at Kings Place on 7th November 2009, as part of the London International Festival of Exploratory Music (LIFEM).
Monster's album 'Make Me A Dancer' has been nominated in the Best Instrumental Album category of the 2009 Spiral Earth Awards!
An album of twists, turns and infectious charm. Anarchic ceilidh for a riotous generation - Aidan O'Rourke (Lau)
Blair Dunlop
Blair Dunlop, at only 17 years old, has already fitted a lot into his young life. As a singer, guitarist and actor he has (among other things) wowed Fairport Convention members and audience at the group's Barbican reunion, appeared as Little Willy Wonka in the blockbuster movie of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Johnny Depp starred as the grown-up Willy), and perfected the new and exciting cult guitar style of "double tapping". Blair is the son of folk legend Ashley Hutchings and singer Judy Dunlop.
Beautiful guitar playing and vocals. A real emerging talent Chris Leslie of Fairport Convention
A star in the making. Watch this space. I just love his voice. Can’t wait to watch the future unfold for him. Chris While
The Young'uns
If Peter Bellamy heard that version of Big Steamers he'd be doing cartwheels...that was absolutely brilliant Dave Webber
Next up came my revelation of the weekend. The Young'uns are three young chaps from Hartlepool with a fantastic repertoire of shanties, intricate and pleasing harmonies, and fantastic patter to boot. Their completely unaccompanied singing was with passion and without pretension. The Young'uns won a lot of people's respect over the weekend with their many stirring performances. Amazing! Review of Bromyard Folk Festival 2009, Bright Young Folk Magazine
Andrew Parr
Andy Parr is a 17 year old multi instrumentalist from Leicester. A naturally gifted musician with folk music running through his veins, he plays English Concertina, Flute and Whistle but has the uncanny ability to pick up and play most instruments; he can also sing a mean traditional song. Currently studying for his A levels, he has been offered a place on the Newcastle University Folk and Traditional Music Degree Course.
Andy came to folk music as a result of being taken to Sidmouth Festival as a child but only started playing a few years ago. He's been performing on the Leicester folk scene for a year now and has become recognised as having great potential.
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 fourth 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. Last year they were also 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."
Jan Edgecombe's Blackboard Van
Play pirates, play music with plastic tubes, dress up and play imaginary games, draw on the Blackboard Van - what you do is up to you! Jan's Van is a hit at festivals up and down the country, not just with children but with lots of adult onlookers too.
Panic Circus
Professor Panic's circus tent is always busy with children trying to walk on stilts, juggle balls, toss diablos - in short, enjoying themselves.
These anarchic clowns are all experienced children's entertainers and provide a range of workshops to amuse children of all ages.
