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PLAYING OUT LOUD!
FESTIVAL FOCUS
Welcome to our guide to music festivals in the South of England
which will be a regular feature right up until October. This is just a skeleton
list, which will be added to on a weekly basis from now onwards, so keep coming
back for more info!
CHELTENHAM FOLK FESTIVAL,
GLOUCESTERSHIRE - FEBRUARY 9 - 12
2006 not only heralds the 10th year as the UK’s premier mid-winter Folk Festival
but also an exciting new chapter in the Festival’s history as the organisers
welcome Eliza Carthy as their Festival patron. After performing at the 2005
Festival, Eliza now makes a welcome return, also performing as one quarter of
the phenomenal Waterson:Carthy who appear at this year’s festival.
Winners of the 2004 BBC3 World Music Award, the Warsaw Village kick off the
festival on the 9th, then the weekend offers opportunities to enjoy rare
appearances by Roy Bailey, John Kirkpatrick and Martin Simpson in ‘Sit Down &
Sing’ at the Everyman Theatre plus Martin Carthy and Martin Simpson in Martins2
in a Showcase concert on Saturday afternoon. Newcomers The Devil’s Interval
perform a group repertoire which is a varied mix ranging from English tradition
to influences from Tom Waits to Phoebe Smith and Dolly Parton. The Festival
Finale on Sunday evening opens with the one and only ‘one man folk industry’
Pete Coe. Next up, and making their Cheltenham debut all the way from Winnipeg
in Canada are The Wailin’ Jennys, who create masterful three-part vocal
harmonies. With the stage well and truly warmed-up, the winners of the 2005 BBC
Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Live Act, BELLOWhead close the Festival with strings,
pipes, eclectic percussion and a funky brass section. For more details see
www.cheltenhamfestivals.com
SWANAGE BLUES FESTIVAL, DORSET - MARCH
3 - 5
The 6th Swanage Blues Festival will take place on 3, 4 and 5 March 2006.
Admission is free to all venues. Artists appearing include Pete Saunders' Fat
Tuesday Band, Cal Batchelor Band, The Guv'nors, Sonny Black, Robert Hokum Band,
Roland Chadwick, John Crampton, Hollow Bone and The Jives. For further
information see
www.swanage-blues.org or phone 01929 422338.
OXFORD FOLK FESTIVAL - APRIL 7 - 9
The 3rd annual Oxford Folk Festival - artists confirmed Bellowhead,
Waterson:Carthy, Andy Irvine, Flook, Black Umfolosi, Steve Ashley
accompanied by Chris Leslie & Al Fenn,The Old Swan Band with caller Dave Hunt,
Chris Wood, Rachel Unthank & The Winterset, Steindór Andersen with Hilmar Örn
Hilmarsson, Andy Cronshaw, Magpie Lane,The Oxford Waits, Bill Caddick, Pete
Cooper & Richard Bolton, The John Dipper Band, Horses Brawl,Hand to Mouth
Theatre and many, many more artists including 'On English Ground'
For ticket details see
www.oxfordfolkfestival.com
ISLE OF WIGHT JAZZ DIVAS FESTIVAL -
VENTNOR - APRIL 7 - 9
Amongst the artists already booked are Vortex Foundation Big Band, Rachel Moore
Quartet, Humphrey Lyttelton & His Band, The Bovril Stan and Clark Tracey's
Ellingtonia Septet pianist Andrea Vicari, with Mornington and Dorian Lockett are
also appearing. See
www.jazzdivas.freeuk.com for full lineup.
GOSPORT & FAREHAM EASTER FESTIVAL -
APRIL 13 - 17
The main events are taking place at Ferneham Halls & Ashcroft Arts Centre in
Fareham
The legendary Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter Janis Ian is to
headline the15th annual Gosport & Fareham Easter Festival. Janis Ian has
received no less than nine Grammy Award nominations in her 40-year career for
songs such as “Jesse,” “At Seventeen” and “Society’s Child.”
Also on the bill is ex-Fairport Convention fiddler Dave Swarbrick with his new
band Lazarus which also features ex-Fairport member Maartin Allcock plus Kevin
Dempsey. Fairport Convention fans will see many familiar faces during the
Festival weekend as other guests include Fairport founder Ashley Hutchings who
will be presenting a special show about Cecil Sharp. Former Fairport drummer
Dave Mattacks and current Fairport fiddler Chris Leslie will also be appearing
as members of Feast of Fiddles, a remarkable ensemble bringing together many of
Britain’ s top fiddle players including Peter Knight (Steeleye Span),Brian
McNeill,Phil Beer and Ian Cutler among others.
Other headline artists include the first family of U.K.folk music
Waterson:Carthy and,from America, Hayseed Dixie who were recently voted Best
Live Festival Band in a poll of British festival-goers following their highly
original barnstorming appearances at many UK festivals during the summer of
2005. Three of Britain’s best solo performers will also be taking to the stage
during the Easter Festival - Scotland’s Brian McNeill will perform a solo
concert as well as appearing with Feast of Fiddles while both Roy Bailey and
Steve Tilston will also appear during the Festival weekend. Some of the finest
young musicians from
throughout the British Isles including the 2005 BBC Radio 2 Young Musician of
the Year Lauren MacColl also appear, while there’s a welcome return for the
sensational young Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis whose star-studded band will
include John McCusker.
The complete lineup can be found on
www.gosportfestival.co.uk
ENDORSE IT IN DORSET, CHEESE & GRAIN,
FROME, SOMERSET – APR 16
It’s not in Dorset, but it’s going to be good – Pronghorn, The Beat and Toupe
are amongst the bands appearing – more details to follow.
EARTHWISE FESTIVAL, DORSET – JUNE 1 - 4
A mysterious festival taking place on a hill somewhere in Dorset. It’s an
advance tickets only festival featuring natural health, earth mysteries, green
technology, fair trade markets, a kids area, organic cafes. And much more
including music from Seize The Day, Kangaroo Moon, SubGiant, 3 Daft Monkeys,
Djambo, Breakneck Creek and many more. To find out more you’ll have to go to
www.earthwise-uk.com
or call 0845 330 4340.
NOKIA ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL 2006 –
JUNE 9 – 11
Some big names have already signed for this year’s festival including The
Prodigy, Placebo and Goldfrapp. More details to follow but see the official
website
www.isleofwightfestival.org for booking info.
BLUES ON THE FARM, APPLEDRAM NR
CHICHESTER - JUNE 22 - 25
The first names to be announced for this year’s festival are Popa Chubby,
Sherman Robertson, Marcus Malone, The Gutter Brothers, The Pat Savage Band and
The Danni Leigh Band
Watch this space for the full line-up or see
www.bluesonthefarm.co.uk
SAUL CANAL FESTIVAL & FOLK ON THE WATER
WEEKEND, GLOUCESTERSHIRE - JUNE 30 - JULY 1
Lineup includes|: Lazarus - featuring Dave Swarbrick, Kevin Dempsey & Maartin
Allcock, Ashley Hutchings Morris On Band, Sarah Jory Band, Shooglenifty, Filska,
Magna Carta, Fred Wedlock, Johnny Dickinson, Wild Willy Barrett's Sleeping Dogz,
Meet on the Ledge-Unledged (Acoustic), Roots and Galoots, Keith Donnelly,
Jiggerypipery, Aranmore, Arlen, Les Barker, Derek Brimstone, No Fixed Abode,
Celtish, One String Loose and Roy Kirby Paragon Jazz Band
Music programmer Keith Harris said "This year's event is going to be the biggest
yet. We have added a fourth stage, in the unique setting of the ballroom on the
riverboat hotel Oliver Cromwell which will be moored at the site. We have also
relocated the main music pavilion to give us even more capacity to accommodate
the expected increase in demand.
Opening the show on Friday evening 30th June will be the inimitable Wild Willy
Barrett and his Sleeping Dogz then some Roots & Galloots, followed by the most
amazing - and raunchy - pedal-steel guitarist Sara Jory with her fantastic
country rock outfit.
On Saturday the show is compered by Keith Donnelly who commented." Saul? it's
the most fantastic friendly festival - knock out mon!" Keith will introduce
Derek Brimstone, folk rock band Arlen, and returning by popular demand, highland
piper-led and Boom Town Rat drummer driven, Jiggerypipery.
Feet, fiddles, mandolins and banjos will all be flying when Scotland's
folkadelic acid-crofters Shooglenifty top the evening line up supported by 70's
legends Magna Carta, and Meet on the Ledge (acoustic), Fred Wedlock will run the
show on Sunday introducing another sparkling line up headlined by BBC Folk
Awards Nominee John Tams with Barry Coope, and scintillating Shetland fiddle
band Filska.
On stage on the Sunday evening, in a bill that includes the brilliant slide
guitar bluesman Johnny Dickinson and 'The Guvnor'. Ashley Hutchings with The
Morris On Band, will be the renowned Dave Swarbrick. famous for his
fiddle-playing with Fairport Convention and Whippersnapper, as well as having
his (fortunately premature!) obituary published in the Daily Telegraph, Swarb
has recovered from a major operation to form a new and exciting band with Kevin
Dempsey (ex Whippersnapper) and Maartin Allcock (Fairport), called.
appropriately. Lazarus.
Over the weekend some 50 acts will be at Saul, in the Folk on the Water Music
Pavilion, in the hold of the EntsWeb Sabrina Theatre, on board the Oliver
Cromwell, in the Drum & Monkey bar and all around the beautiful waterside
location. There will also be jazz bands, Morris Sides, Shantymen and street
musicians. Keith is still looking and still booking, so keep an eye on the
line-up
www.junctionevents.org.uk
ROMSEY BEGGAR’S FAIR – JULY 7 & 8
Details to follow
PRIDDY FOLK FESTIVAL, SOMERSET - JULY 7
- 9
The lineup is: Waterson Carthy, Back of the Moon, Van Eyken, Jim Moray, Colum
Sands, Johnny Dickinson, Les Barker, Kirsty McGee, Rackaback, Ben Murray & Rosie
Doonan, Liz Carlisle, Incontinentals, Maggie Boyle, Nandobinyan, Quicksilver,
KTB, Dragonsfly, Lynne Heraud & Pat Turner, Jo Hamilton, Miv Cameron Band, Tom &
Barbara Brown, Ember, Kevin Brown, Anne Lister, James Warner Prophecies, Flash
Harry, Backroom Band, Sulis, James Chadwick, Howden Jones, Mick Ryan & Pete
Harris, The Willbees, Tom Napper & Tom Bliss, Issy & David Emeney, String
Whistle, Left Hand Drive, No Fixed Abode, Pete Quin, Diana Johnstone, Jim
Tigwell and Chico Holton.
For ticket details go to
www.priddyfolk.org
LARMER TREE FESTIVAL, TOLLARD ROYAL, NR
SALISBURY - JULY 12 - 16
Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra open the festival on Wednesday July 12,
then it’s music all the way for the next four days. The first acts to be
confirmed are Kate Rusby, Afro Celts, Jazz Jamaica Motor City, BeGood Tanyas,
Dreadzone and Chris & Thomas. To keep abreast of bookings see www.
TROWBRIDGE VILLAGE PUMP FESTIVAL - JULY
20 - 23
Here are the performers that have been confirmed so far. Watch this space for
constant updates:
THE WATERBOYS - SUZANNE VEGA - ALTAN - WATERSON CARTHY - ELIZA CARTHY & THE
RATCATCHERS - OSIBISA - GRETCHEN PETERS - THE KARINE POLEWART BAND - SHOW OF
HANDS - HANK WANGFORD & REG MEUROSS - JOI - DOGHOUSE SKIFFLE GROUP - MR. LOVE &
JUSTICE - LAST NIGHT'S FUN - MERV GRIST PLAYERS - ZIG A ZAG CAJUN BAND - LOS DE
ABAJO - WAILIN JENNYS - NINE BELOW ZERO - DANA GILLESPIE & HER LONDON BLUES BAND
- MARY FLOWER - ALLAN YN Y FAN - ZYDECOMOTION - KEITH DONNELLY
EASTLEIGH SUMMER FESTIVAL - AUGUST 3 -
6
Well, we’ve just found out that it’s not actually in Eastleigh this year due to
problems with the local council. Apparently it’s to be held on a site at Wickham
in Hampshire. We will let you know exactly where later, but we can tell you that
Oysterband, Shooglenifty, Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young, Osibisa, Seth
Lakeman, Blue Horses, Croft No.5, The Huckleberries and many more acts have
already been booked . Tickets will be on sale on February 4 - to find out more
details go to
www.eastfest.co.uk
SIDMOUTH FOLK WEEK, DEVON - AUGUST 4 -
11
Amongst the artists appearing this year are: Concerts
Blue Murder
John Spiers & Jon Boden
Waterson:Carthy
Warsaw Village Band
Martin Simpson & Martin Taylor
Seth Lakeman
Chumbawamba
Coope Boyes & Simpson
Flook
Mrs Ackroyd Band
Chris Wood
John Kirkpatrick
The Poozies
Boka Halat
Rachel Unthank & The Winterset
Van Eyken
Lulo Reinhardt
Duncan McFarlane Band
Craig Morgan Robson
Grace Notes
Julie Fowlis
Jon Swayne & Becky Price
Crucible
Dulaman
John Dipper Band
Faustus
Mary Humphreys & Anahata
Witches of Elswick
The Cole Porters
George Papavgeris
Sandra Kerr
Kandela
The Devil&rsquos Interval
Richard Durrant
Rocas
All Jigged Out
Blackthorn
ThingumaJig
Lee Westwood
Tickled Pink
Peeping Tom
Florida
Hekety
Jabadaw
Mr Gubbins&rsquo Bicycle
The Woodpecker Band
Dartmoor Pixie Band
Grand Union
Steamchicken
Spinach for Norman
For ticket details see
www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk
CROPREDY CONVENTION, OXFORDSHIRE -
AUGUST 10 - 12
Acts booked so far include acoustic duo Chris Newman and Máire Ní Chathasaigh
(the renowned Celtic harpist), Feast of Fiddles and legendary folkrock
five-piece Steeleye Span. See
www.fairportconvention.com for full details.
WHITE HORSE FOLK FESTIVAL, WANTAGE,
OXFORDSHIRE - AUGUST 18 - 20
Watch this space for artists as they are confimed.
Looking for a different Festival Focus?
Click here for our archive |
Featured artists:
see POL Articles
African Soul rebels Poole Lighthouse, Poole
February 18,
The Dome, Brighton
February 21 & Basingstoke Anvil, Basingstoke February 22
Morning Runner
The Joiners, Southampton Tuesday February 21
Nazareth
The Brook, Southampton Wednes February 8
Neal Casal
The Railway Inn, Winchester
Tuesday February 14
Battle
The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea Tuesday February 28
Michael Messer Raven Hotel, Hook Friday February 3 & Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne
Sat
February 11 |
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