Artists
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Show of Hands are without a doubt one of the strongest current
forces in acoustic music. An alchemist couldn’t have come up with a more potent,
magical mix than that of Phil Beer, who can, as The Scotsman observed, “play
nearly every stringed instrument known to man” and the inspired Steve Knightley,
described by Mike Harding at BBC Radio 2’s 2007 Folk Awards as “one of England’s
greatest singer songwriters”. They make a welcome return to the Ely Folk
Festival.
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In the summer of 2006, Mawkin released their much anticipated
debut full length album ‘The Fair Essex’ which recieved rave reviews. Colin
Irwin of MOJO magazine gave the album four stars, stating it as ‘Unconditionally
Mighty’. The band look set once more to be recording over the winter of 2007
with Jim Causley as Mawkin:Causley, another development in this fast rising
bands brief but exciting history.
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Martin Simpson is one of the finest acoustic finger-style and
slide guitar players in the world. Winner of 3 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, an Indie
Award for his album Cool & Unusual, and the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award from
the Ards Guitar Festival, he is a superb interpreter of traditional music and
song from Europe and from the American South. Growing up in Lincolnshire he was
inspired by the likes of Martin Carthy, Davey Graham and Richard Thompson during
the folk revival of the 60s. Both spell-binding, and highly entertaining,
he is a master of his craft.
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John Spiers and Jon Boden have been consistently wowing audiences
up and down the country for the last 5 years with their unique blend of
traditional English folk song with a contemporary twist and hi-octane dance
tunes which get everyone dancing. Winners of the Best Duo category at the BBC
Radio 2 Folk Awards in both 2004 and 2006, and founders of the Big-Band folk
phenomenon that is Bellowhead, Spiers & Boden now find themselves at the
forefront of the new folk revival.
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The unique sound of Scotland in the 21st century, bringing
the sounds of the past into the present and launching the listener into an
exciting future for this Scottish band based at their Kincardine headquarters in
Scotland.
Those that have heard SAOR PATROL live never forget the
visual image, and the vibrant energy they send out to their audience during a
performance. Their vibrant pipe tunes and drum rhythms please, and excite, many
a crowd from all walks of life.
Still holding onto their unique sound and style they continue
to combine old roots and new blood. Once again Saor Patrol has brought to you
their very own Celtabilly music.
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It's hard to imagine a four-piece traditional act competing for headline
spots at the biggest festivals in the world, but then it's even more perplexing
to watch Last Night's Fun on stage and contemplate where the sparkling wall of
gripping, soulful sound is coming from.
Last Night's Fun have an audience pinned to the wall with breathtaking
virtuosity and creative arrangements, and falling off their chairs with a
loveable line in patter that is their trademark. They embody a fire, passion and
feel for traditional Irish music not seen since The Bothy Band and Planxty at
their peak. The key to the unique Last Night’s Fun sound however, is the
electric, spontaneous interplay between four musicians very much at one with
each other.
Note that
Findlay Napier will be joining Last Night's Fun for 2008 to replace Denny
Bartley, who is taking a break. Findlay is a best known for his work in
multi-award winning Scottish band back of the moon, a master guitar player and
beautiful singer.
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7-piece African dance band. Brilliant high energy,
exciting, multicultural band with tribal drums and soaring guitars.
ZAMBULA were originally formed as a ten piece in West
Cornwall in the 1980's when Ugandan singer and percussionist Tito teamed up with
the Israeli singer Wendy Herman and conga player Demelza Val Baker. From the
start this was an exciting dance band that soon got their audiences dancing to
original material written by Tito and Wendy. Starting off by playing private
parties, the band soon progressed to becoming one of the South-West's biggest
drawing bands, playing all the main venues throughout Devon and Cornwall. They
became regulars at the regions main festivals such as St Ives, Hood Fayre,
Elephant Fayre and have been a permanent fixture at Glastonbury for over two
decade.
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Boo is widely recognised as one of Britain's best songwriters. He has written
for and works alongside Eddi Reader, and is currently also working with The
Heidi Talbot Band. He has achieved international recognition as a songwriter
with such songs as "Last Cigarette" recorded by KD Lang.
Boo began his career as the founder of cult band "The Bible. He is now
flourishing as a solo performer. His on-stage persona is charismatic, warm and
relaxed. He is perhaps at his best and most comfortable when singing his own
songs in his own way.
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"We started off playing around the kitchen table. Now, some six years later, we
are cutting our first album. The songs we sing are the ones we love, drawn from
the music of our collective pasts and present day influences. They speak of the
worst that people can do and the best that they can be."
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Their music cannot easily be categorised and their vibrant
arrangements draw on influences from across Europe, incorporating tunes, songs
and dances. Four of the finest young musicians on the folk scene today, Sam
Sweeney, Hannah James, Jamie Roberts, & Tom Sweeney perform their music with
immense vitality and style.
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Bella is an acclaimed singer; her voice has been marked as
mesmerising and faultless. As well as singing unaccompanied ballads, Bella
entwines her voice with her own fiddle accompaniment to breathtaking effect and
is ably joined by Chris Sherbourn from ‘Last Night’s Fun’. |
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During 2006 at the National Folk Festival in Canberra, Keith
shared the stage with brilliant performance poet and cardigan meister Les
Barker. Rather than doing two 45 minute shows the two stayed on stage together,
each doing numerous short ten minute sets to the sell-out crowd (the national is
a moderate Australian festival with only 58,000 or so paying audience!). The
pair had such a good time 'bouncing off' each other that they have been doing a
joint 'mini tour' in the UK.
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Wide Glide Band
Returning for their regular Friday late slot, Ely Ceilidh band
ending the evening with a late dance session
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With a playing style strongly reminiscent of Jon Martyns
‘Solid Air’ days and a writing style heavily influenced by the same, with
generous helpings of Todd Rundgren, Joni Mitchell, World Party and Nick Drake,
Al’s true calling has always been the live performance of his original blues and
folk tinged set.
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Taking in eclectic influences from the British Indie scene to
our love of Americana folk, blues and country music, this duo try to create
something a little different.
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Lightning jack return to Ely with two shows and a bunch of
new songs. Still performing their eclectic mix of Celtic roots, blues, ballads
and reels the original trio of cliff ward, violin, Lester Lloyd reason, guitar
and Phil Utting-brown, bass have recruited local percussion genius Ian Turner
and promise to turn in a set ranging from foot stomping frenzy to achingly
beautiful. Oh – and keep an eye out for Alfie.
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A multitude of people from the United Kingdom and across
Europe love following Claude Bourbon. Hitting over 100 venues per year, many
people are able to enjoy Bourbon's musical prowess. What brings the majority of
his audience back to see show after show is his amazing performance. Claude
Bourbon's style of playing guitar creates a unique sound experience recognized
only as Claude.
Claude performs solo on stage with his guitars by his side.
Matched with his voice, Bourbon captures the full attention of his audience as
they take in every note played off the tips of his fingers. Claude Bourbon's
playing is so unique and distinct he often leaves his audience wondering how
exactly he does it.
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An Irish treasure waiting to happen…..Houston’s brand of
lively and passionate folk rock demonstrates his finely tuned melodic sense and
clever, astutely commercial writer’s ear…his shear exuberance as a
performer…Houston is a natural communicator….an extremely unpretentious
artist…..far from being a cheerful but vacuous crowd-pleaser…Houston ensures
that there is heartfelt lyrical substance behind every song… a glimpse of his
easy humorous rapport with an audience…ensures that a spin of this well crafted
album invariable ends in a smile. * * * * Maverick Magazine July 2006
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Stunning young guitarist from South Wales. Gareth specialises
in playing the music of Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and Tommy Emmanuel, so
impressive we’ve invited him back for a second year.
Gareth Pearson is an acoustic guitar player and composer from Cwmbran, South
Wales in the UK. Gareth has toured with Tommy Emmanuel, Jan Akkerman, played at
the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention in Nashville and was personally
invited to open for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes at their New Year
Party in New York. He has also opened for Ray Davies, founder member of the
legendary 60's band The Kinks, John Renbourn, Woody Mann and others.
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A popular group of musicians with a style coloured by rock, blues, American,
English, country and even folk influences. Dead Like Harry performs honest,
from-the-heart songs written and performed by a group of young friends who want
nothing more than to make great music.
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One of the best from last year’s Club Tent, Jade is an earthy guitarist
singer/songwriter who captivates audiences with her haunting voice and
passionate, thought-provoking lyrics
Jade’s debut EP “Searching Within Chaos” was successfully launched in June
2007, and is getting regular airplay on stations including BBC radio Cambridge
and 209FM.
“Jade is an earthy guitarist singer/songwriter who captivates audiences with
her voice and passionate, thought-provoking lyrics.” - Cambridge Folk Club
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MacGregor
The engaging, folk and country tinged song-writing of Gus MacGregor, is set amid
an evocative landscape of counter melody and harmony provided by double bass,
percussion and vocal arrangements. There's a sense of the 'freeform' in their
performance - and a delightfully unpretentious warmth to boot. "[Gus's] knack
for an unusual metaphor, spine-tingling harmony or heart-breaking lyric won’t
let you go." Nottingham Evening Post.
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Bof! was formed in 2000 and is a specialist band playing
traditional French and Breton music for dancing and listening to. The band has
played at folk clubs, and festivals in England and France. The members of
Bof! play a variety of authentic instruments and sing.
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