|
| THE NEW ROPE STRING BAND
Experienced old-hands Pete Challoner and Tim Dalling (from the 'Old Rope String Band') joined forces with experienced old-time musicians Jock Tyldesley and Vera van Heeringen. Between them, they sing, dance and play their hearts out on fiddles, guitar, piano accordion, mandolin and anything else that comes to hand.
Boundless energy, theatrical and comic routines and wonderful music. Expect the unexpected!
|
|
CHRIS WHILE & JOE BROUGHTON
Chris While is an award winning songwriter, singer and musician, last year she was here at the festival as part of the duo While and Matthews, and we are thrilled to have her back this year with Joe Broughton who is a virtuoso fiddle player. Although he is a classically trained violin player his style owes much more to Folk, Jazz and Blues. As well as the violin Joe plays the Guitar, Bass, Mandolin and Piano.
| | |
|
photo©Roger Liptrot | CLIVE GREGSON
Clive Gregson is a fine English singer/songwriter, musician and record producer, he has written songs for Kim Carnes, Norma Watterson and Nanci Griffiths and toured with the Richard Thompson Band. You can expect an accomplished and highly entertaining performance which will only underline why Clive is very much respected on the music scene today.
|
|
MARTYN JOSEPH
Martyn Joseph is a performer like no other. Shades of Springsteen, Knopfler and Dave Matthews there may be - but he stands in his own right, built on a reputation for giving what thousands have described as the best live music experience of their lives.
Voted Best Male Artist at the 2004 BBC Welsh Music Awards and with a string of humanitarian plaudits and awards, he's a mean guitar player with one of the most powerful voices onthe circuit crafting songs with, as the BBC's Bob Harris put it, "outstanding lyrical intelligence" .
| |
|
| THE HOUGHTON WEAVERS
Tony Berry, David Littler, Steve Millington are The Houghton Weavers. Formed in 1975, The Houghton Weavers guarantee a wonderful performance of song and humour. Their experience in the business together with their style and professionalism ensures that, as their motto says, they will always "Keep Folk Smiling".
They have been at the forefront of the country's music scene for over three decades with a hectic concert schedule. Cutting their teeth in folk clubs in their native North West, they have enjoyed non-stop success, with a great following at their concerts, and a fan club with members worldwide. Together they sing "popular" folk songs, weaved together with jokes and anecdotes, performed in their own inimitable style.
|
|
CELTISH
Celtish are Gwyneth Keen (vocals, mandolin and percussion); Gordon Taylor (guitar and mandolin); Imogen O'Rourke (flute and backing vocals); John Harris (harp, mandolin, guitar and backing vocals) ; and Sian Phillips (fiddle, electric cello and backing vocals).
Celtish deliver an explosive mixture of celtic music, intermixing jigs, reels and tunes whilst spiced with an emotive and hauntingly beautiful vocal.
This dynamic band of individuals will not fail to deliver.
| |
|
| BERNARD WRIGLEY
Bernard Wrigley is a singer, actor and comedian sometimes known as 'The Bolton Bullfrog'. He has released CD's of his songs and monologues., and books of verse.
His performance is multifarious and hilarious.....don't miss it!
|
|
DAVE BURLAND
Dave Burland has been on the music scene since his retirement from the Police Force in 1968, he has played at concerts, festivals and clubs and made session appearances for other musicians including Kate Rusby, Richard Thompson and Mike Harding. He is a soft voiced yorkshire singer who will capture your heart.
| |
|
| ANTHONY JOHN CLARKE
Chances are you've met Anthony John at an event on the folk music circuit. He has been involved in music for many years now, having recorded twelve CD albums, three CD singles and published two songbooks. He has played in hundreds of clubs and festivals in the UK, Europe, Australasia and the USA, and his songs and career receive good coverage.
There are very few places in the UK and Ireland that Anthony John has not played. His supporters are loyal and many, and the tributes he receives from his peers bear witness to the talent and hard work of one of the folk scene's nicest guys. He retains his reputation as one of the top songwriters on the scene and his hard work and dedication to his craft are a credit to him. For him, songwriting is indeed a craft.
|
|
ROBIN LAING
Robin Laing (The Whisky Bard) is one of Scotland's premier folk singer-songwriters. He is known as an interpreter of traditional Scottish songs and his own songs, many of which have been covered by other artists.
| |
|
| CATHRYN CRAIG & BRIAN WILLOUGHBY
Cathryn Craig has sung with
The Righteous Brothers, Shel Silverstein, Jorma Kaukonnen,
Bobby Bare, Garth Brooks and Chet Atkins.
Brian Willoughby began his career with Mary Hopkin and played with Strawbs for 25 years. He recorded with Monty Python and toured with Joe Brown, Roger Whittaker, Jim Diamond and Sweet’s Brian Connolly. Strawbs offshoots High Society and gold award-winning The Monks featured Brian on lead guitar.
Both Cathryn and Brian have worked with Nanci Griffith.
|
|
BRAM TAYLOR
A stalwart of the folk scene, Bram Taylor breathes new life into traditional and contempory songs,bringing warmth and humour and poignancy to the stage....audiences will be wowed by his distinctive voice and stage presence. Bram has his audiences singing, laughing from his infectious sense of humour, and shedding a tear. Its a solid, accomplished performance from an establised artist.
|
|
|
| CHRIS MORETON
Chris Moreton is returning to this years festival following his amazing performances at the 2009 Folk on the Coast, it is our privilege to welcome him back. Chris is widely recognised as one of the leading exponents of the “Flat-Picking” guitar technique in Britain today. Awarded Guitarist magazine’s Acoustic Guitarist of the Year and British Bluegrass Music Association’s Instrumentalist of the Year in 1995.
A well travelled multi-instrumentalist and singer, a founder member of several bands Chris is still best known as a solo artist.
Performances include a variety of songs, humour, audience participation, and a range of music from Hillbilly to Handel on guitar mandolin and banjo.
His un-pushy, humorous ability to entertain continues to endear him to audiences on the Acoustic /Folk / Bluegrass scene and beyond.
|
|
DAVID FERRARD
Born to a Scottish father and an American mother, David Ferrard is a veritable 'one-man transatlantic session'. He broke onto the British folk scene in 2006 with his rootsy folk songs which, whilst contemporary, evoke the 60s folk revival when singer-songwriters original output blended with traditional material. His strong, catchy melodies and commitment to social issues make his music both accessible and meaningful.
David's songwriting has been compared to Woody Guthrie & Tom Paxton, and his sweet, crystal vocals to John Denver & James Taylor, winning him several awards (Celtic Connections 2006, Burnsong 2007).
|
|
|
| JAYWALKERS
This duo, Michael Giverin (Mandolin, Guitar and Vocals) and Jay Bradberry (Fiddle, Guitar and Vocals) hail from Helsby (the bluegrass capital of the North West). They were BBC 2 Young Folk Award Finalists in 2009. This is a live show not to be missed, Michael's virtuoso mandolin playing and Jay's soulful voice are a powerful combination.
|
|
SCOLDS BRIDLE
Sue Bousfield and Liz Moore have been playing music together as Scolds Bridle for more than 30 years. Their considerable talents combine to create entertainment at it's highest level. Superb harmonies, dynamic presentation, quality performance and refreshingly different.
Scolds Bridle are a breath of fresh air!
| |
|
|
MULDOON'S PICNIC
Muldoon's Picnic are a five-part harmony singing group based in the lovely green ciry of Glasgow. They sing mostly their own arrangments of traditional unaccompanied harmony from around the world. They also have a particular interest in the American shapenote or Sacred Harp tradition.
|
|
CHILL UNTIL BLUE
With a philosophy to play music that is dynamic, accessible, fun and eclectric, Chill Until Blue create a progressive sound whilst maintaining a respect for the tradition. Their repertoire includes traditional songs, instrumentals and original material arranged in a way that is unique, powerful and engaging. The band has a wealth of performing experience with members from a number of well established bands that have played extensively across the UK and abroad.
| |
|
| TRI
Trí is Irish for three, appropriate for a band with three members, three fiddle players, three bodhran players........the band are Niamh Boadl, Neal Pointon and Ciaran Algar .
Niamh Boadle is a singer songwriter who plays Guitar, Whistle and Bodhran. She sings a mixture of English, Scottish, Irish traditional and self composed songs.
Ciaran Algar plays Fiddle and Bodhran, was a finalist at St Albans New Roots in 2007 and a winner of the tallyman trophy. He has gained numerous national titles in the fleadh (Irish music competition) on both fiddle and bodhran.
Neal Pointon has played on the main stages at Bedworth and in town and Folk Club events at Warwick festivals. He plays Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin and Banjo and has also gained national titles in the fleadh.
|
|
MARTIN PLEASS
Martin is a musician and singer/songwriter from the Wirral. He plays in bands on guitars, keyboards and banjo., he has been in demand on the local scene and further afield in a remarkably varied career. Martin also plays the mountain dulcimer and steel guitar, his sound embraces traditional and contemporary styles, Martin weaves rythmic grooves with songs that are both atmospheric and personal. His CD is a groundbreaking and original collection of songs recorded at the water's edge in various locations on beaches in the Caribbean, it is called appropriately 'Water's Edge'.
| |
|
|
GRAHAM BELLINGER'S DEPORTEES
Adrian Dear, Graham Bellinger and Mick Green.
A new acoustic trio featuring original songs, americana, and roots music from both sides of the Atlantic. They have a CD 'Three in a Bar' - completely live recordings from a pub session. The band also play every Tuesday at Alexanders in Chester in the acoustic rock n roll band Root Chords.
|
|
JAMIE LANDSBOROUGH
Jamie has always been surrounded by acoustic music coming from a family of guitar players and singers. You may recognise the surname then?
It is strange therefore that virtually all his gigs have been fronting a rock band.
It wasn't until Jamie rather nervously visited the Hungry Horse Folk Club, at Little Stanney near Ellesmere Port, that he discovered a place where he was able to perform some of the songs that he has enjoyed playing at home.
The warm reception he received there enabled him to show of his talents with some ease in a very friendly environment.
Jamie was delighted and had no hesitation in agreeing to be a part of the first concert of the festival on Friday evening
His guitar skills and beautiful voice will astound you. So sit back and enjoy
| |
|
 |
ALISON PARKER & THE THIRD MAN CEILIDH BAND
Alison Parker is a very experienced singer with a strong voice which lends itself to a variety of flavours, celtic airs, pub Irish, blues, gospel. She has been singing since the age of nine and playing guitar since she was eleven and the bodhran for fifteen years. The band 'Alison Parker and the Third Man' is a local 4 piece concert, session and ceilidh band, they are well known for their wide range of instruments and clever vocal solo and harmony work. They host a lively weekly session at the Farmers Arms in Frankby on a Monday.
|
|
ARTHUR MARSHALL & THE LIFEBOAT CEILIDH BAND
Arthur Marshall leads the Lifeboat Band playing on melodeon, and calls the dances.
| |
|
|
VOCAL POINT
Vocal Point's love of singing and harmonising is apparent in their performances and their relaxed style ranges from ballad and wistful lullaby to an injection of contemporary and traditional folk songs. They are equally at home singing acappella.
Vocal Point consists of John Owen - vocals/guitar, Sue Farley - vocals/guitar; and Angie Owen - Bodhran.
|
|
PAUL REANEY
Paul Reaney is a talented local singer/songwriter, a multi instrumentalist playing guitar, dobro, banjo and mandolin. He has won first prize in the Americana section of the 'West Coast (USA) Songwriters, and also the 'Dallis Songwriters' competitions. He has worked with country rockers 'Hambone' and has played as a session musician with several bands. Born on the Wirral although his musical roots are in rock and roll and country rock.
Paul's solo acoustic and folk performances are proving very popular, they can leap from heart rending story songs to moments of complete daftness with a side order of cheeky scouse wit. | 
|
|
|
MERSEY MORRIS MEN
The Mersey Morris Men originated in 1960 from the merger of the Liverpool Men and the Wirral Men. They dance predominantly Cotswold Morris from the villages of Bampton, Leafield, Bucknell, Adderbury, Blewdington, and many more. These dances were traditionally danced exclusively by men to promote the fertility of nature. They also dance Rapper - sword dancing from the North East., and Molly dances from East Anglia.
|
|
|
5
