ARTIST INFORMATION
 | Pete Laity & Aardvark Blues Band
The blues band really came together as a result of collaborating with Keith Eardley on the 'Heart in my Shoes' album. Following the demise of the electric band, Keith and Pete continued to work together playing acoustic blues with numerous gigs at Broadstairs, Streatham, Brinklow, Banbury, Wadebridge and other festivals.
homepage.ntlworld.com/peter.laity/blues.html |  | Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes
Steve knightly and Phil Beer are widely acknowledged as the finest acoustic roots duo in England. Knightley, who writes most of their inspired material and Beer, a dazzling multi instrumentalist, have built up a huge following which has seen them twice sell out the Albert Hall, headlining at major festivals from Glastonbury to WOMAD and playing all over the world, from Europe to America, Australia and India. Voted Best Live Act by the public at the 2004 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, the jury is still out on just what kind of music they play.
www.showofhands.co.uk/ |  | Swarb's Lazarus
Swarb's Lazarus is a trio featuring the legendary English Fiddler Dave Swarbrick (ex-Fairport Convention, ex-Whippersnapper), known affectionately as Swarb, ace guitarist Kevin Dempsey (ex-Whippersnapper) and multi-instrumentalist Maartin Allcock (ex-Fairport Convention, ex-Jethro Tull). Swarb's Lazarus play mostly traditional music of the British Isles. Wadebridge Festival is proud to be one of the first festivals to present Lazarus.
www.swarbslazarus.com/ |  | 3 Daft Monkeys
World influenced acoustic music, with a hint of the bizarre!
From Cornwall, 3 Daft Monkeys combine rousing vocals, frenetic fiddling, rhythmical 12-string guitar, dancing bass and foot drum.
“ Varied and stirring acoustic style … outstanding fiddle work ” (The Guardian, reviewing recent album Social Vertigo).
The band combine rousing vocals, frenetic fiddling, 12-string guitar, dancing bass and foot drum. Whether it's Celtic, Folk, Gypsy or other World Music you are drawn to, all these influences and more are in evidence within 3 Daft Monkeys’ music. Far too diverse to be pigeonholed into one genre, and possessing a sound completely impossible to typecast into being a particular “style”, 3DM traverse Dance, Dub, Punk, Reggae and Traditional Folk with ease, creating a stunning blend of upbeat, danceable music which despite all its world influences remains undeniably British.
The band toured the UK in February and March and have a number of festival appearances lined up over the Summer including Cambridge Festival, Glastonbury Festival, Cropredy, Larmer Tree Festival, Knockengorroch (Scotland) and Brampton Live. The band will also be appearing with Levellers and Seth Lakeman at three picnic concerts this summer at Arundel Castle, Arley Hall and Harewood House.
Whatever your taste in music, their unique blend of high octane, funked-up folk is guaranteed to get you dancing!
www.3daftmonkeys.co.uk/Vertigoindex.html |  | Louis Eliot
Louis is the former main man of late Nineties britpop romantics Rialto. The band enjoyed three UK top 40 hits and toured extensively throughout Europe as well as in the US, Russia and South East Asia, where they achieved double platinum album sales. They were on numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and TFI Friday. In 2004 Louis set out in a new direction with his solo debut The Long Way Round. Vogue magazine heralded him as a "country troubadour", the Sunday Times made it their CD of the Week and the record won him new fans across the board. Support slots with Damien Dempsey and Sinead O'Connor were followed by tours of the UK and South East Asia. Louis and his band have a unique rural sound with its mix of country, folk and an unshakable pop sensibility which never fails to rouse.
www.louiseliot.com/ |  | Dalla
Dalla have ignited the traditional music of Cornwall with their boundless imagination and irrepressible, infectious approach to the music. They love their native culture, and celebrate it with their lively approach to the traditional tunes.
www.dalla.co.uk |  | Steve Turner
Steve Turner comes from a family of singers and concertina players. His grandfather was known to have sung and played the instrument in the 1890's.
Steve began his career on the Manchester folk scene at the end of the 1960s. Joining the Geordie band "Canny Fettle" in 1970, he made two albums and toured in Britain and Europe with them for eight years.
In 1979, he won the Melody Maker "Stars of the 80s" national competition, which persuaded him to turn professional for 12 years until 1991. During this time he made four solo albums with Fellside Records and toured internationally.
A period of thirteen years away from the folk scene followed with Steve building a violin retailing business and diversifying musically into a more classical mode.
But folk music has a habit of getting into your blood, 2004 saw Steve make a welcome return to the folk scene.
www.steve-turner.co.uk/ |  | Blabbermouth
Blabbermouth aka Steve Thompson has been writing and performing for many years. He has played all over London in venues such as The Borderline, The Troubadour and Bush Hall.
His live performances have always been an unpredictable and thought-provoking experience; Amanda Glyn venue manager of the Troubadour wrote this about him:
“Off kilter-songsmith BLABBERMOUTH's set is hilarious, surreal and delightful. Day to day observations are dished up with deadpan humour and philosophical issues revamped so that even the prospect of your own death is a good laugh. Add to all this the voice of an angel for an original musical experience you'll not forget in a hurry.”
Blabbermouth's first official album "My Dancing Heart" was released in 2007.
www.myspace.com/therealblabbermouth |  | Kate Burke & Ruth Hazleton
Kate & Ruth are one of Australia’s most exciting young folk acts. Since 1998 their trademark interpretations of folk songs have won them international acclaim and popularity. Their material draws on the music of Australia, the UK, Ireland and America – and incorporates the wisdom of folkloric history coupled with the forward thinking of contemporary songwriting. The duo are widely acclaimed for their musically captivating, uniquely warm, humourous and engaging performances, and have won the
support of audiences throughout Australia and the UK. Ruth & Kate present songs of social commentary and cultural significance and are renowned for their vocal harmonies, imaginative and expressive arrangements and outstanding musicianship.
www.kateandruth.com/ |  | Pete Berryman
Pete arrived on the acoustic music scene in the 60's with the Famous Jug Band which also featured Clive Palmer of the Incredible String Band. At this time he also recorded with Ralph McTell, Wizz Jones and Al Stewart and in 1971 his influential LP with John James , Sky In My Pie,was released. Since then he has collaborated with many notable musicians, worked in theatre and film, and played as far afield as Hokitika and Abidjan.
Pete performs regularly in the UK and occasionally in Europe and is also a popular guitar teacher. His Most recent (2007) CD, The Return, is receiving excellent reviews and two additional new albums , one of Cornish tunes and one of songs, are in the works.
“Pete Berryman is one of the UK's hidden jewels. His playing displays maturity and subtlety that's an education for acoustic players” Guitarist
www.peteberryman.com/ |  | Aardvark
The Aardvarks have established a reputation for delivering traditional dance music in a high-energy style. Whether playing acoustic or electric instruments, this band rocks! The band features Pete Grassby on melodeon, hammered dulcimer and vocals, Pete Laity on guitar, appalachian dulcimer and vocals, Martin Trewinnard on bass flute and whistles and Colin Halliwell on percussion. Pete Grassby also calls the dances.
www.theaardvarks.co.uk/ |  | Pete & Mannie & Friends
Pete and Mannie McClelland are in several bands performing regularly in the South East (most notably Blackthorn and Thingumajig bands). They have a broad repertoire, which covers traditional tunes and songs from all over the British Isles. They regularly play for Ceilidhs, and know just how to keep the crowd dancing! |  | Thorn & Roses
Thorn & Roses are Rowena Metters, Sylvia Fletcher, and Jinks Jenkin, who joined voices a number of years ago inspired by their mutual love of unaccompanied close harmony singing. They are all accomplished singers in their own right, but since forming Thorn & Roses have developed a style and presentation that has gained them quite a following in this country, with much interest from the Cornish communities of North America.
www.thornandroses.co.uk/ |  | Just Plain Myrtle
Just Plain Myrtle are a band based in Cornwall who tour around various locations in the county entertaining the local folk, and their music has been featured on Radio Cornwall. They have two CDs to their name so far. Their wide-ranging repertoire includes both modern and traditional songs, and some original compositions, in a variety of genres.
efolkmusic.org/ArtMusic/viewArtist.aspx?AID=1562 |  | Elowen
Elowen are a Cornwall foursome who perform folk songs spanning the centuries; in their own words, "the song of sailors and the song of those left behind, songs of love, of loss and hope. And all the other songs in-between"
The band was born out of The Original Wednesday Soup Sessions and a Cocky Magpie.
Reinterpreting the traditional music of Cornwall, the British Isles and further afield with fresh and beguiling contemporary harmonies, the four members of Elowen (which is Kernewek for 'elm-tree') hail from Lostwithiel and Camelford, having wended their way West from places as diverse as Brighton and Burnt Oak. Three voices, sometimes alone, sometimes embellished with guitar, violin, percussion and woodwind, explore themes of loss and longing, of lovers sundered and reunited, with the odd cross-dressing mariner or highwayman thrown in for good measure. A favourite in the Wadebridge area, we are happy to welcome them back to the festival.
www.myspace.com/elowenfolk |  | The Claque
The Claque are a well established four piece singing group, made up of Tom Addison, Barry Lister, Dave Lowry and Sean O’Shea.
Distilled from the legendary groups of old, four voices of depth and maturity are blended to bring warmth and harmony to the English Tradition.
www.foreshorefolk.com/The-Claque |  | Caracana
Caracana, which is Cornish for the love of music and song has been in existence for a number of years and with the present line up for the last five. They play Cornish and other Celtic music and some of their songs are sung in Cornish, others in English. They play a mix of traditional and original music, with a few modern covers thrown in.
www.an-daras.com/dance/d_performers_caracana.htm |  | Leski
Combining 2 of Cornwall's most talented & experienced young musicians, 'Leski' offer a unique blend of high energy fiddle playing & the enchanting sounds of the hammered dulcimer, brought to you from the heart of Cornwall. Leski pride themselves on their unique repertoire which encompasses their passion for Cornish music & tradition, with fresh new material, drawing on their own musical experience & influences.
www.kerensa-dulcimer.co.uk/leski.html |  | Kickin' Chicken
Based in Cornwall, Kickin' Chicken are
"four spring chicks dancing appalachian for fun", Guaranteed to liven up any event with their traditional appalachian dancing.
www.kc.hey42.co.uk/ |  | Spare Parts
Spare Parts are a Lewes based band, who between them run the well known Lewes Arms Folk Club. They run practise sessions and workshops for English tunes and concertina playing, and are very good at what they do!
www.sparepartsband.co.uk/ |  | Mike O'Connor
Multi faceted Mike O'Connor is a fiddle player, accompanist, story teller and singer. Mike is a friendly, approachable and highly experienced performer and workshop leader, used to working with adults and children both in performance situations and in educational and community work. He has been working as a musician since the 1970s and a story teller since the 1990s. He has worked in arts centres, at festivals, in schools, community halls and private venues. He has been a resident storyteller for the Forestry Commission, and is currently working at the Institute of Cornish Studies, Exeter University. Mike's vivid songs are recorded & sung by artists such as Martyn Wyndham-Read, Johnny Collins, Kathy Wallis, Mike Nicholson, Sarah Morgan and many more. Mike produced and directed the iconic folk operas 'The Cry of Tin' & 'Unsung Heroes'.
www.lyngham.co.uk/mike_oconnor.html |  | Lost In Space
Initially formed from an unlikely union of brass players, grunge guitar, and folk singers, Cornwall band Lost In Space have developed their own sound and style, somewhere between Ska, Latin, Indie and Blues. They play mostly original material, with a few newly arranged familiars thrown in.
www.myspace.com/thelostinspace |
No guarantee can be given that any events will take place, or any artists will perform at a particular time, or at all. We will, however, make every effort to carry out the programme as advertised.
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