Wickham Festival News

Rachel Croft

Described as “iridescent brilliance” by Tykes News, Rachel Croft’s voice boasts a “remarkable range that captures your attention and won’t let go”. Her original songs have been captivating audiences across the UK and Europe since 2014, bathed in deep rich tones drawn from her background in jazz, instilling haunting themes from Celtic folk, and the occasional nod to Joni Mitchell in their playful lyricism.

2019 saw performances at Costa Del Folk, Portugal and Moseley Folk Festival, and tours in Germany and the Netherlands. A packed out February Album launch show at the Crescent in her hometown of York celebrated the long awaited release of “Hours Awake”, Croft’s 95% crowdfunded debut original album, which received rave reviews, the single of which “Only Dreams” was played on BBC Radio 6.

Having released a second single “I Said Wait” in August which was featured on BBC Introducing, Croft is now working on a new single entitled “We Are”, a more contemporary twist on her sound, set for release in early 2020.

Likened to artists such as London Grammar, Eva Cassidy, Norah Jones and Laura Marling, Croft’s striking voice and powerful stage presence will not fail to entrance.

In possession of a voice that boasts several unique tones, she dances between gentle, angry and a Grace Slick-like mystique. She is sparing with her vibrato, only bringing it out when it’s most emotionally impactful. No wonder our listeners were enthralled
Fresh On The Net

Croft’s pure voice (soars) on Judie Tzuke wings… disarmingly beautiful
Folking.com

Dreamy, atmospheric and mystical… a journey back in time as her rich tones evoke a sense of Grace Slick
Mike Ainscoe, louderthanwar.com

Chris Ricketts

Internationally acclaimed 21st century shanty singer, Chris Ricketts returns after a 7 year silence with an album of shanties and self penned songs called ‘Songs In The Key Of Sea’. Chris mastered his craft working cruise ships and has been doing so for the last 7 years. With an minor short break to train as a music and drama teacher in secondary schools (he is now back doing this!). Chris’ passion for performing (and probably because his students were better than him) saw him going back to work on ships, but during his time off he toured his own unique brand of self penned and traditional songs. Quick witted comedy and a unique delivery of sea songs with the occasional self-penned song never fails to satisfy an audience.

Nick Lowe

Nick Lowe has made his mark as a producer (Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, Pretenders, The Damned), songwriter of at least three songs you know by heart, short-lived career as a pop star, and a lengthy term as a musicians’ musician. But in his current ‘second act’ as a silver-haired, tender-hearted but sharp-tongued singer-songwriter, he has no equal.

Starting with 1995’s ‘The Impossible Bird’ through to 2011’s ‘The Old Magic’ Nick has turned out a fantastic string of albums, each one devised in his West London home, and recorded with a core of musicians who possess the same veteran savvy. Lowe brings wit and understated excellence to every performance, leading Ben Ratliff of the New York Times to describe his live show as “elegant and nearly devastating.”

Capercaillie

Throughout their career Capercaillie have drawn on two great strengths to inspire them. The first of these is the astonishing musical dexterity of the various fiddle, whistle, flute and pipe who have performed with them over the years, lead by the accordion and keyboards of band founder Donald Shaw. The other foundation of the band has been the peerless voice of co-founder Karen Matheson, described by Sean Connery as having “a throat that is surely touched by God”. Universally recognised as one of the finest Gaelic singers alive today, Karen’s exquisite voice has been at the centre of the band’s music, whether breathing new life into 400 year old Gaelic songs or bringing her luscious vocals to the band’s contemporary compositions…

There have been many milestones for a band who have sold over a million albums world wide. These include three silver and one gold album in the UK, the first Gaelic Top 40 single, writing the music for, and appearing in the Hollywood movie “Rob Roy”, and performing in over thirty countries including Iraq, Macedonia and the Sudan.

Capercaillie have been credited with being the major force in bringing Celtic music to the world stage, and their unique fusion of Gaelic culture and contemporary sound has always stretched boundaries in their quest to keep the music evolving.

It is a mighty long way from Oban High School to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in Baghdad, but Capercaillie have made this journey and stopped off at many other exotic locations along the way . However, their greatest achievement has been to mould a central strand of their Gaelic heritage into a fresh, new sound, capable of reaching out to the ears and hearts of people all over the world.

Eliza Carthy & The Restitution

If there is one musician who embodies the dynamism and vitality of the current English folk revival, it’s Eliza Carthy. Beloved of staunch traditionalists and iconoclasts alike, Eliza’s music effortlessly crosses boundaries of genre and style. Whether performing a centuries-old ballad or a self-written song, her powerful, nuanced voice, fiercely beautiful fiddle playing and mesmerizing live performances have influenced a whole generation of young musicians.

Describing herself simply as a “modern English musician”, Eliza Carthy is one of the most recognisable faces in British folk. Launching head-on into the scene in the early 90s, she quickly became one of its great innovators. She has spearheaded the re-emergence of English traditional music as a vibrant, exciting genre that could stand proud next to other world musics. With a wealth of experience under her belt, Eliza’s talent has matured and is flourishing. She continues to bring new audiences to English folk through well-judged collaborations, recordings and performances.

Beans on Toast

Essex born folk songwriter ‘Beans on Toast’ is an extremely unique performer. Twisting an age-old genre with a D.I.Y. approach and contemporary concerns has earned him the title of a cult figure who tells it like it is. A festival favourite (he’s played Glastonbury every year since 2007) and a prolific writer and performer. He’s written and recorded 11 albums and he’s played every bar, club, venue, pub, festival, party and honky-tonk you can think of.

He’s a hippy, a punk, a poet, a drunk, a die-hard romantic and an eternal optimist. Singing simple songs that tackle big issues. Political protest songs for the modern day, honest and open Love
songs. Songs that will make you laugh, but also make you think with no holds barred honesty and quick wit.

He’s constantly writing, recording and releasing music and puts out a new album each year on 1st December, which happens to be his birthday. Each album recorded with a different producer and musicians, over the years he’s worked with the likes of Ben Lovett (Mumford & Sons), Frank Turner and Kitty and Lewis Durham (Kitty, Daisy & Lewis) He tours constantly and has gigged and played festivals all over the world. The Beans on Toast live show is an odd and unpredictable experience. A singer, songwriter and storyteller his self-deprecating quality is not something you often see, but it breaks down the barrier between musician and audience, creating a sense of equality.

“Cult legend and all round hero”Louder than War
“Protest songs peppered with optimism”The Guardian
“Brimming with energy and infectious charm”Clash

Martin Simpson

One of the best acoustic, finger-style guitarists in the world and a multi-award winning artist, including 6 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Martin has worked with Jackson Browne, David Lindley, Steve Miller, Richard Hawley, June Tabor, Martin Taylor and more!

In 1976, he recorded his first solo album Golden Vanity. In the same year he opened for Steeleye Span on their UK tour. He performed with Ashley Hutchings’ Albion Band in 1979. He also toured and performed with folk singer June Tabor, who did not play an instrument herself. They later recorded three albums together.

Notable work in the 1990s included, in 1995, an album with Chinese pipa play Wu Man, Music for the Motherless Child. The album was produced in a single session and blends western and Chinese improvisational approaches, although five of its six tracks come from British or US traditions. In a similar vein was Kambara Music in Native Tongues with David Hidalgo (from Los Lobos) and violinist Viji Krishnan, a mix of Hindu and contemporary songs.

2003 saw the release of Righteousness and Humidity, a set focusing almost exclusively on music from the Deep South, played on a variety of instruments and featuring Steeleye Span’s Rick Kemp. This recording was a nominee for BBC folk awards album of the year in 2004. Simpson won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2004 in the category of Best Musician. This was followed in 2005 by Kind Letters in which he mines once again the rich seams of English folk music which proved so fruitful for The Bramble Briar.

In 2007 Simpson released Prodigal Son. The 2008 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards voted it as best album. The fRoots critics poll voted it as the 7th best new album of 2007. It is a mixture of traditional songs and Simpson originals, the highlights of which possess a distinctly southern American flavor. Jackson Browne, Kate Rusby and Kellie While guest star here. In December 2007 he performed on Later… with Jools Holland.

Peat and Diesel

The story began when three Stornoway Cove’s (Innes, Uilly and Boydie) met up in the house to have the craic on a Saturday nights playing music with just the Dog and the Cat watching. After a few tunes getting thrown across the room Boydie stated muttering a few sentences. As he is a man of few words not attention was really given to him until he shouted ‘Quick, line me out!’ Not a second to spare a set of old broken headphones were cable tied to a guitar amp and out came a few cobwebs followed shortly after with a sound nobody had ever heard before. What came next was five gallons of lyrics, Verse after verse, Song after song – PEAT & DIESEL WAS BORN! The songs won’t make much sense to the average person, but the person behind the lyrics isn’t your average man so if you have a listen and you can relate to it you are a special breed! Peat & Diesel – Light my Byre takes you on a journey to the heart of the Western Isles, where #peatlemania was born. You might have time for a brandy in the ‘Airidh’ but don’t miss your ride in Calum Dan’s Transit Van, we ain’t stopping till we lose the water!

Selling out Glasgow’s iconic Barrowlands in one day as well as over 7,000 tickets across their debut tour happening in Jan 2020 has seen the band turn a corner in the public eye and with the band’s second album “Light My Byre” out on Jan 24th 2020 things just keep going from strength to strength!!

Jim Cregan ‘Cregan & Co’

The Faces broke up in 1975 and Rod Stewart started his own band.​ ​One of the most influential guitarists in this line-up was Jim Cregan. Now, more than 40 years on, Jim, together with four outstanding musicians, performs that well-loved heritage music under the name ‘Cregan & Co’.  Forming this band gave him the opportunity to play live the songs he had written, recorded and co-produced with Rod Stewart. In January 2013, Roger Chapman agreed to reform Family for two concerts in London at the Empire Shepherd’s Bush. This coincided with Family winning Classic Rock magazine’s “Spirit of Progressive Rock” Award. He also joined a reformed Family for the group’s final shows in late 2016, part of a line up that only included Chapman, Poli Palmer and Cregan from the band’s 60s and 70s output.

On 13 September 2015, Cregan joined Rod Stewart on stage at the BBC Radio 2 ‘Live in Hyde Park London’ Festival.

“If you can’t afford my ticket go see these guys…they’re just as good and half the price!” Rod Stewart

Nine Below Zero

The band was originally formed in South London in 1977, by guitarist and lead vocalist Dennis Greaves.[1] Taking bassist Peter Clark with him, they recruited Kenny Bradley on drums, and vocalist and harmonica player Mark Feltham. They originally called themselves ‘Stan’s Blues Band’, and for two years built up a local following in London clubs.  The current band members are:

  • Dennis Greaves – guitar and vocals (1977–1983, 1990–present)
  • Mark Feltham – harmonica and vocals (1977–1983, 1990–1992, 2001–present)
  • Charlie Austen – vocals and percussion (2016–present)
  • Ben Willis – bass (2016–present)
  • Sonny Greaves – drums (2018–present)
  • Tom Monks – keyboards, guitar and vocals (2019–present)

 

Old Blind Dogs

Old Blind Dogs are legendary – a multi award winning band with a line-up from the world of Scottish folk music that is approaching superstar status. Twice winners of the prestigious Folk Band of the Year at the MG ALba Scots Trad Music Awards, founder member Jonny Hardie (fiddle/vocals) is joined by Aaron Jones (guitar/bouzouki/vocals), Ali Hutton (pipes) and Donald Hay (percussion). Together they create a sound that is uniquely Old Blind Dogs and which still stands at the forefront of the Scottish roots music revival. It’s fair to say that their style, drawing as it does from the rhythms of Middle Eastern, rock, reggae, jazz and blues music went on to influence many bands but nobody does it like the Dogs!

“They really understand musical storytelling, and know how to hold our attention, riveted, to each twist of the story.”
fROOTS

“This is finely crafted, accomplished fun…”
**** Songlines

Jackie Oates & John Spiers

Jackie Oates and John Spiers meld together their love of English traditional folk tunes and songs with their voices and acoustic instruments, resulting in a fresh sound that is uplifting, joyful and poignant. John and Jackie, already admiring of each others’ work, met through the vibrant folk scene of Oxford and its surrounding villages, after Jackie moved to the area in 2011.

They began playing music together shortly after, through regular appearances at Nettlebed Folk Club, special festival sets, a live set for BBC Radio 3 and Johns contribution to Jackie’s 7th album ‘The Joy of Living‘. Jackie and John are looking forward to introducing their new music to audiences beyond Oxfordshire and recording a full length album during early 2020.

Will Pound

Acclaimed harmonica and melodeon player Will Pound is embarking on a musical journey across the states of the European Union, to discover and unveil the diversity and common ground of their traditional music and song.

From the lively Swedish polska to the upbeat Italian tarantella, the lilt of the Irish jig, to buoyant French bourées, relentless rachenistas from Bulgaria and the rip-roaring Spanish jota – these tunes have travelled, evolved and merged as Europeans have enjoyed freedom of movement and expression, a shining example of the strength and joy in unity.

Together with Polish poet, Bohdan Piasecki, and a live band featuring Jenn Butterworth (Songs of Separation, Kinnaris Quintet), multi-instrumentalist Jude Rees (Jim Moray, RSC, Pilgrims Way), bass player and beatboxer John Parker (Nizlopi) and fiddle player Patsy Reid (Breabach), join Will and be uplifted by the joyous sounds of the traditions of a continent and hear the stories and hopes of those affected by the politics of division.

An accompanying album featuring this new ensemble, alongside a host of guest musicians, will be released in May 2020.

About Will Pound:

Three-times Nominated BBC Radio 2 ‘Folk Musician of the Year’

Spiral Earth Magazine ‘Musician of the Year’ 2015

FATEA Magazine ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ 2011, 2014

A flat out genius harmonica player Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2

One of the most outstanding instrumentalists in the country today BBC Radio Scotland

About Bohdan Piasecki

Bohdan is able to make his audience laugh and cry within a few minutes Jenna Clake, UoBlogFest

…an authentically delivered set of pieces inspired by memories of childhood, family roots and social change in his motherland. Bohdan goes down a storm in his own right.  Rina Vergano, Bristol 24/7

Kitty Macfarlane

Kitty Macfarlane is a songwriter and guitarist from Somerset, whose music is rich with visual imagery and written with an eco-eye. From the starling murmurations on the Somerset Levels to the lowly eel’s epic transatlantic migration, and the small part we ourselves play in a much bigger picture, her songs are bound by the underlying theme of mankind’s relationship with the wild. Kitty Macfarlane’s highly anticipated debut album Namer Of Clouds, released September 2018 and produced by Sam Kelly and Jacob J Stoney, gathers inspiration from the sky to the seabed. Carried by a voice ‘as clear as a mountain stream’ (FRUK), her lyrics touch on intervention and rewilding, climate change and migration, and woman’s historical relationship with textiles and the land. The album (and as of recently, her live show) is augmented by all kinds of ‘found sound’ recorded in locations from Somerset to Sardinia – birdsong, waterfalls, the click of knitting needles – and bookended by sounds of the wild.

Kitty has recently been nominated for the Horizon Award in the 2019 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Her debut album Namer Of Clouds was one of The Guardian’s Best Folk Albums of 2018 with airplay across BBC Radio 2, 3, 4 and 6 Music, meriting FATEA’s award for Female Artist of the Year and being nominated for Album Of The Year in the fRoots Critics Poll. As a bird enthusiast, last year Kitty was invited to guest-present several episodes of Radio 4’s Tweet of the Day and also performed a live session on BBC Radio 2 in January this year. Since releasing her debut EP Tide & Time back in 2016, and subsequently touring as support for Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman, Blair Dunlop and Elephant Sessions, Kitty has received project funding from the English Folk Dance and Song Society, and more recently the Lynsey de Paul Prize for female songwriters.

India Electric Co.

After releasing their debut debut album The Girl I Left Behind Me in 2015 they began extensively supporting and accompanying Midge Ure throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Scandinavia.

With recent live sessions on BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music, performances at Glastonbury and Cambridge Folk Festival, the duo are embarking on their own unique headline tours in association with the award winning Churches Conservation Trust and EFDSS (English Folk Dance and Song Society). A full studio album will be released in Spring 2020 to follow on from their innovative trilogy of EPs EC1M, Seven Sisters & Tablelands.

Sometimes folk, sometimes not. India Electric Company use traditional instruments in contemporary styles to explore diverse themes from Eastern Europe, Irish traditions and modern urban alienation to end up with something “quirky and glittery – a veritable musical magpie’s nest. – BBC Radio 3.

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    Ireland's John McSherry, one of the finest Uilleann pipers in the world today, is newly confirmed for this year's Wickham Festival. John will appear on Sat. 3rd Aug. accompanied by Brendan Quinn & Francis McIlduff. johnmcsherry.com/#bio www.youtube.com/watch?v=5khv0CbyKH0 ... See MoreSee Less

    2 days ago

    7 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Day & Weekend tickets now onsale via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets

    Can I ask, Should we have received our tickets yet? Thanks 🎶

    A wonderful addition to the festival. Thank you

    Chuuuunes!

    Oh yesss 👌👌👌👌👌👍

    Oh WOW!

    My kind of music

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    Were very sorry to hear that Steve Harley has died.  He appeared many times at Wickham, usually with his own band but also with Spike Edneys SAS Band.  He always gave a great show and was always a pleasure to work with.  Were so sad to hear of his passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his family.

    We're very sorry to hear that Steve Harley has died. He appeared many times at Wickham, usually with his own band but also with Spike Edney's SAS Band. He always gave a great show and was always a pleasure to work with. We're so sad to hear of his passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his family. ... See MoreSee Less

    2 weeks ago

    58 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Here's a backstage interview which Steve gave to our Festival Press Officer Graham Hiley in 2018. It's a great interview. Do give it a listen. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJh3FjE2Vro

    Very sad to hear this. Loved seeing him at Wickham.

    Heartbreaking news; Steve’s music has been ( and will remain) very much a part of our lives. Our thoughts are with his family. RIP Steve, you will be missed ♥️

    We saw him at Wickham he was brilliant despite having to sit for the performance as he had leg or hip problems! Didn't affect the energy of his set! Sad loss!

    Always great to see - will be missed

    Very sad news. I’m glad we saw him a couple of times in recent years at Wickham. A great performer. Sadly missed

    So so sad about the passing away of Steve Harley. A fantastic performer, wonderful wordsmith, funny, endearing and talked to the audience like we were in his front room.. saw him several times, but very fond memories of his sets at Wickham. So glad I got to see him many times. Xxxxx ❤️ ❤️

    Noooo! He was so lovely. RIP you came up and made me smile.

    So sorry 😔 He stirred such emotion when I saw him at Wickham, a true and great artist ❤️

    Very sad - we loved seeing him at Wickham Music Festival :(

    So sad to hear this news. I saw him at Wickham in 2015, a great artist and performer. Deepest sympathies to his loved ones 💛

    We were there at his last Wickham gig and also a more recent intimate theatre gig nearer to home, just last year. Very different but loved both. A brilliant performer and a very nice guy. Will be sadly missed. 😢

    Heartbreaking news.

    Devastated! One of my all time favourites. RIP Steve.😪

    So sad, he was brilliant there a few years ago, one of the very best highlights of the festival 💔

    Still hear “make me smile” almost daily on the radio. Such a brilliant uplifting song and his voice was amazing. Sad sad loss to the music industry. RIP Steve

    Very sad loss Peter ..Great music

    It's truly heartbreaking. He was wonderful and will be greatly missed

    Oh how sad. My younger years sounds which I loved . 🙏💕

    Thanks for sharing.Very sad news.Yes very sad. Back in the 1990s he headlined several of our Heineken (freebie) Big Top festivals.Always great to work with backstage and a real crowd- pleaser.

    Sad news. Great forever songs to remember him by. Condolences to his family and friends.x

    Very sad 😢 loved seeing his shows - a joy! Cx

    Legend I hope he’s being a rebel in spirit and makes the spirits smile ❤️🥺

    Lucky enough to see him twice at Wickham (once with his band and once with the SAS Band). A sad day :(

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    Our Twitter Feed

    Steve Harley was an audience favourite at Wickham Festival, and a delight to work with. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

    Steve Harley: Cockney Rebel singer dies at 73

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68590846

    The Saw Doctors would like to say a Big Thanks to everybody who has bought or streamed ‘All We Love’ today —the new single is Number 3 in Ireland and No. 23 in the UK. Here’s the link to buy or stream ‘All We Love’   
    https://orcd.co/allwelove

    Wonderfully evocative and typically catchy song from our old friends @sawdoctors ready for #StPatricksDay
    Would love to hear them do this at #wickhamfesival one day. Great stuff!

    Our new line-up inc. Curtis Stigers with a few more artists inc. Jerry Douglas to add. We hope to unveil last confirmed artists inc. one more headliner soon. Day & Tier 4 Weekend tickets selling fast. Save £50 on every 4-day weekend ticket. Book now. http://www.wickhamfestival.co.uk

    We're delighted to announce that 16-times GRAMMY Award winner Jerry Douglas, one of the world's finest dobro & lap steel guitar players, will be at this year's Wickham Music Festival on Sat. 3rd Aug. Day & Weekend tickets selling fast!

    After announcing the great American singer Curtis Stigers for the Wickham Music Festival yesterday we'll be announcing another great American musician this evening (Tuesday). A clue. He's a 14-times Grammy Award winner. Any guesses?