Fri 14th Dec - Sun 5th Aug 2018
Wickham Festival 2018
@ Festival Site, Wickham
Featuring: Squeeze, Richard Thompson, Kate Rusby, Show Of Hands, The South, John Illsley, The Undertones, Tom Robinson
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Wickham Festival 2018: Squeeze, Richard Thompson, Kate Rusby, Show Of Hands, The South, John Illsley, The Undertones, Tom Robinson, The Blues Band, The Dhol Foundation & more
The Wickham Festival is a 4-day music and arts Festival held every August in a stunningly beautiful rural location near the historic village of Wickham in Hampshire.
With live music on three stages plus a host of other entertainment, Wickham is rated by many as one of the safest, most relaxed and family-friendly festivals in the UK.
The Wickham Festival was voted 'Best UK Festival, Capacity Under 15000' at the Live UK Music Business Awards in October 2015.
See www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/ for further information.
Squeeze
Best known for their hit singles Cool For Cats, Up The Junction and Labelled With Love, amongst others, Squeeze were one of the biggest new wave bands of the late seventies and early eighties, although their career has stretched right up to the present day.
Squeeze tour dates
Richard Thompson
Former member of Fairport Convention and one of England's most respected singer/songwriters whose live performances are enjoyed across the world, and whose new material is on a par with the classics he wrote decades ago. Being described as 'the English Bob Dylan' is a fair comparison, only Richard is a good few years younger!
Richard Thompson tour dates
Kate Rusby
A remarkable interpretive singer, Kate Rusby's soulful vocals resonate with the wistful beauty of an earthbound angel. The crossover appeal Kate enjoys is unprecedented for a folk singer and has been achieved without resort to compromise.
The defining voice of contemporary English Folk music, Kate Rusby's exquisite interpretations of traditional songs and finely wrought self-penned tunes have won her an audience that reaches beyond the genre. Rusby's wondrous singing and her hugely engaging Yorkshire wit ensure that audiences will be treated to a truly remarkable and uplifting concert experience.
Kate Rusby tour dates
Show Of Hands
Steve Knightley 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 sell out the Albert Hall four times and headline at major festivals from Glastonbury to WOMAD.
Voted Best Duo in the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (as well as clinching Best Original Song for Knightley's acclaimed Arrogance Ignorance and Greed) the jury is still out on just what kind of music they play. A genre defying mix of rock, roots, blues, country, trad, and often influenced by the music of other countries, it is played out on an array of instruments from slide guitar to fiddle, mandolin to South American cuatro.
'Formidable operators in the roots arena. A class act' (The Independent).
Show Of Hands tour dates
The South
When great British pop institution, The Beautiful South split in 2007, some members of the band didn’t feel ready to hang up their microphones or instruments just yet…
The South feature former members of The Beautiful South including singer Alison Wheeler and lifelong sax player Gaz Birtles. Since original singer, Dave Hemingway, left the group earlier this year, Gaz has now moved across to vocal duties. They play the songs made famous by The Beautiful South and bring back the full flavour and excitement with the nine piece live band.
With the new reshuffle complete, The South are a full team again and raring to go! Their live show promises to continue to celebrate and perform the classic Beautiful South songs - A Little Time (the number one single), Perfect 10, Rotterdam, Old Red Eyes Is Back, Good as Gold, Don't Marry Her. All performed again live, these songs, and many more, span an impressive 20 year career starting way back in 1989!
Come on! Let’s Carry On… Regardless!
The South are:
Alison Wheeler (Vocals), Gaz Birtles (Vocals), Phil Barton (Guitars), Steve Nutter (Bass), Dave Anderson (Drums), Karl Brown (Percussion), Gareth John (Trumpet), Su Robinson (Sax), Andy Price (Keys)
The South tour dates
John Illsley
John Illsley was the bass player for the English rock band Dire Straits. Introduced to lead singer and guitarist Mark Knopfler by Mark's brother, David Knopfler, Illsley was one of just two of the original band members remaining when it broke up in 1995. John has also released two albums of his own, Never Told A Soul in 1984 and Glass in 1988.
John Illsley tour dates
The Undertones
Formed in Derry, Northern Ireland in 1975, The Undertones became renowned for combining lyrical invention and musical flair with intelligent simplicity. Their anthemic Teenage Kicks, much loved by John Peel, was one of the most influential songs of the post-punk era. Reformed in 1999 without the influential Feargal Sharkey, they are still pumping out their classics hits with some new material.
The Undertones tour dates
Tom Robinson
Born in Cambridge in 1950, Tom Robinson first became known in the late 1970s as a musician and LGBT activist with the Tom Robinson Band (TRB) who were early supporters of Rock Against Racism and Amnesty International. In 1977 their Top 5 debut release 2-4-6-8 Motorway became one of the landmark singles of the UK punk era. Other hits included Glad To Be Gay, Up Against The Wall and the band's debut album Power In The Darkness which went gold in the UK and Japan.
As a solo artist Tom had further solo hits in 1983 with War Baby and Atmospherics: Listen To The Radio, and co-wrote songs with Peter Gabriel, Elton John and Dan Hartman. His 14th studio album Only The Now was released in 2015 featuring guests such as Billy Bragg, John Grant and Ian McKellen. Recent festival dates include Latitude, Green Man and headlining the Left Field stage at Glastonbury 2016.
As a radio broadcaster Tom hosts three shows a week on BBC Radio 6 Music, is a member of the Ivor Novello Awards committee and in 2016 was awarded a fellowship of LIPA to recognition his support for new music artists through BBC Introducing.
Tom Robinson tour dates
The Blues Band
The Blues Band was formed in 1979 by Ex Manfred Mann members Paul Jones and Tom McGuinness. Slide guitar ace and vocalist Dave Kelly was then recruited, Gary Fletcher filled the bass post and Rob Townsend of Family fame replaced Hughie Flint in 1982 on the drums. They set out originally to play pub gigs of their beloved blues music. 17 or 18 albums later, they are still going strong. If you are expecting a set play list, there isn't one!
This is probably the most spontaneous live music gig you will see this year. Although there is a general order of who's singing lead, as he takes to the mic each group member calls out to the rest of the band whichever song springs to mind - keeping the guys on their toes and the audience in an eager state of anticipation!
The Blues Band tour dates
The Dhol Foundation
Emerging from leader Johnny Kalsi's massively popular drum classes, the Dhol Foundation (the dhol is a large North Indian drum) perform a wonderful blend of classic Indian music with global rhythms and thumping contemporary beats. This ferociously original fusion should be no surprise as Kalsi has been instrumental in some of the most groundbreaking groups on the Asian and world music scene including bhangra pioneers Alaap, Fun Da Mental, Asian Dub Foundation and Transglobal Underground.
The Dhol Foundation tour dates
Ferocious Dog
Ferocious Dog offer a full-on six-piece sound that encompasses folk infused with rock, reggae and Celtic vibrations. The combination of instruments creates a palette of sound that offers infinite variations: going in hard to get the audience up and moving, or slipping into melodic passages and dub-like fusions.
In China, 2015 was the year of the Sheep – but in Nottinghamshire and countless venues and festivals in the UK it was the year of the Dog. The year that Ferocious Dog snarled their way from the periphery of the festival and gig scene and put themselves firmly in the limelight of the alternative scene.
The climax of their new album tour saw them sell out Rock City in Nottingham in advance – a historic moment, the first time in the 35 year history of this auspicious venue an unsigned band has achieved this feat.
Ferocious Dog tour dates
Red Hot Chilli Pipers
Winners of the Prime Time BBC One show 'When Will I Be Famous' with a blistering set Rock Bagpipes that astounded the viewers and critics! Putting a modern spin on incredible piping and astounding drumming with an emphasis on showing off and putting on a show guaranteed to amaze any audience; The Red Hot Chilli Pipers really are a genuinely unique experience.
Red Hot Chilli Pipers tour dates
Jon Boden & The Remnant Kings
Jon is one of the most venerated of the younger Brit folk generation both for his work with Spiers and Boden and as a founder member of big band folk revolutionaries Bellowhead. He's performed on Later with Jools Holland and at countless prestigeous festivals throughout the UK.
Jon Boden & The Remnant Kings tour dates
Mary Coughlan
The Big Voice of Ireland with jazz and blues influenced intense songs of passion, life's trials and survival against the odds. Mary achieved overnight success with her debut release, Tired And Emotional, in 1984.
Mary Coughlan tour dates
Martyn Joseph
Cardiff's acclaimed singer songwriter is an incomparable performer with an uncanny knack of fusing fearless, full-bodied 'songs with a message' with fragile love songs. Voted 'Best Male Artist' in the 2004 BBC Welsh Music Awards, he has one of the most powerful voices on the acoustic circuit, a string of Top 50 hits to his name (including Dolphins Make Me Cry). 'One of the most charismatic and electrifying performers in Britain today' - Tom Robinson, BBC 6
Martyn Joseph tour dates
Flook
The flutes of Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen, the guitar of Ed Boyd and the bodhran of John Joe Kelly weave and spin traditionally rooted tunes into the breathtaking sound of the groundbreaking band Flook. This group possesses a rare blend of fiery technical brilliance, delicate ensemble interaction and a bold, adventurous musical imagination. A unique combination of traditional styles and instrumentation with more contemporary beats and sounds makes Flook one of the most innovative Celtic groups in Britain today.
Flook tour dates
Tankus The Henge
The world of Tankus the Henge is uplifting and wild, dark and heartfelt. A 6 piece powerhouse of a band drawing visual and musical influences from old time Fairgrounds to modern day Circus; The Beatles to Tom Waits and Gogol Bordello to Radiohead, they embody a look and a sound that lies somewhere between their South East London home and the carnival town of New Orleans
Tankus The Henge tour dates
Mad Dog Mcrea
Mad Dog Mcrea blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and 'shake your ass' music. From self-penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life, to traditional songs of gypsies, fairies, legless pirates and black flies - Mad Dog never fail to capture their audience with their infectious songs.
Mad Dog Mcrea tour dates
Gaz Brookfield
Nu / anti-folk artist and winner of Acoustic Magazines's UK singer-songwriter competition. His songs are instantly accessible, everyman tales of life, love and everything else in between. Played in a folk-ish style with occasional use of the guitar as a percussive tool, as well as some two handed venturing around the fretboard, Gaz's simple yet poignant songwriting captures the imagination of the listener.
Gaz Brookfield tour dates
The Pierce Brothers
The Pierce Brothers are an Australian act not to be missed. Their captivating fusion of roots and foot stomping indie folk smash together high-energy performances and mixing harmonies reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel, the old folk of Neil Young and the shuffle and shake of Mumford and Sons; their alluring tunes have won over crowds throughout the country.
The Pierce Brothers tour dates
Merry Hell
Award winning folk-rock. From the anthemic to the intimate - a joyous explosion of passion & melody. Music made by the people and shared by the people. With hearts and souls tuned to the songs which came before them, Merry Hell bring you new words and music forged from their own experiences, from the lows and the loves of their lives.
Merry Hell tour dates
Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys
Hailing from Prince Edward Island, the award-winning Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys serve up old-time roots music with an energy level that practically yanks you out of your seat by the collar.
Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys tour dates
The Electric Swing Circus
The Electric Swing Circus is a 6-piece fusion of saucy '20s swing and stomping electro beat, with an explosive sound that reverberates back through time.
A full time, touring band on the international circuit, the ESC's live set includes electric double bass, vintage samples, gypsy-jazz guitar, keys, drums, synths and electro beats.
Fronted by a sassy female double-act, the ESC delivers a consistently dazzling show.
The Electric Swing Circus tour dates
Skipinnish
Skipinnish are Angus MacPhail (accordion & mini bass) and Andrew Stevenson (highland pipes & Scottish small pipes), who hail from Tiree and Achnacarry. They draw on a talented group of musicians to increase their number to four or five as and when required.
Skipinnish tour dates
Talisk
Winners of the 2015 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award, Talisk are one of the fastest rising bands on the British folk scene. Mohsen Amini (concertina), Hayley Keenan (fiddle) and Graeme Armstrong (guitar) create a captivating, energetic and dynamic sound that, in just a couple of years, has earned them multiple award wins, unwavering nationwide media praise, and standing ovations far and wide. Atop their collective titles, Amini was the 2016 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, and is now the 2018 BBC Radio 2 Musician of the Year, adding to a trophy cabinet that far belies their years.
Talisk tour dates
Boo Hewerdine
Frontman of '80s pop band The Bible and songwriter for Eddi Reader, kd Lang, Paul Young and Natalie Imbruglia (amongst many others). An accomplished live performer with much heart and passion thrown into performance, Boo has released several albums as a solo performer. The latest, 'God Bless The Pretty Things' was released in 2009. He has made international collaborations and hit songs that stretch over two decades and many genres.
Boo Hewerdine tour dates
Drever McCusker Woomble
Super group featuring acoustic-folk artists Kris Drever, John McCusker and Idlewild's lead singer Roddy Woomble.
Drever McCusker Woomble tour dates
Maggie Bell
Vocally regarded as Britain's answer to Janis Joplin, Maggie Bell, founder member of Stone The Crows and singer of the hit, 'Hold Me' with B. A. Robertson returned to the UK music scene in 2006 and performed live at Led Zeppelin's one off reunion concert at London O2 in November 2007. Bell sang the end credits theme for the late 1970s ITV detective drama Hazell, with lyrics written by Judy Forrest and music by Andy Mackay. Her song "No Mean City", written by Mike Moran, was the theme music to the TV crime drama Taggart. She also appeared in a single episode of Taggart called "Evil Eye" in 1990, playing a gypsy fortune teller named Effie Lambie who is murdered early in the episode.
Maggie Bell tour dates
Dave Kelly
Dave Kelly is known as Britain's finest blues slide guitarist, as well as being an excellent vocalist. He is joint lead singer in The Blues Band of which he was a founder member with Paul Jones.
Dave Kelly tour dates
The East Pointers
The East Pointers are attracting attention across the world for their undeniable ability to get hands clapping, feet stomping, and bodies of all ages bouncing in harmony.
Cousins Koady and Tim Chaisson are part of a renowned dynasty of fiddlers and folk musicians from Canada’s Prince Edward Island.
The East Pointers tour dates
Gerry Colvin
In the early 1980s Gerry Colvin co-founded and fronted the legendary John Peel favourite skiffle-cowpunk indie outfit Terry & Gerry. This seminal band toured Europe and the USA and appeared on countless TV shows including The Tube and The Old Grey Whistle Test. Their five singles and album all reached No.1 on the indie charts. In the nineties Gerry spent time in Nashville - working as a professional songwriter and later collaborated with Alison Moyet, co-writing on an album project. He also wrote TV themes, musicals, film scores and wrote and presented for BBC radio 2.
Since 1995 Gerry worked with Nick Quarmby in the five piece folk band Colvin Quarmby. They released six critically acclaimed albums and were voted best band at the prestigious Fairport Convention Cropredy Festival in 2009. Colvin's new band features Trish Power on accordion, Jerome Davies on double bass, and Lyndon Webb on guitar with more of his brilliantly eccentric, hilarious and absurd observations, and witty and catchy singalong songs.
Gerry Colvin tour dates
Roy Bailey
One of the UK's leading folk musicians who sometimes plays with John Kirkpatrick in a 'super-duo' who were the 2003 winners for best live act at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Roy Bailey tour dates
Police Dog Hogan
Police Dog Hogan are a high-energy and eclectic seven-piece, combining fiddle, banjo, mandolin, bass, drums and guitars with four-part harmonies in a mix of country, pop, folk, and rocking urban bluegrass.
Their songs range from the wistful and poetic to out-and-out, foot-stomping tales of doomed barbecues, French mustard and falling in love on a Tennessee highway.
'...a really good, fun time' (DJ Johnnie Walker).
Police Dog Hogan tour dates
Saltfishforty
A high energy mix of traditional and original songs with the added edge of Douglas Montgomery's demon fiddle twisting in and out of the rowdiness.
Saltfishforty tour dates
Reg Meuross
Reg's imaginative and finely crafted songs have earned him the title of Master Storyteller (Pennyblack Music), and prompted Mike Harding to introduce him onto the stage of The Royal Albert Hall as 'one of the finest singer-songwriters this country has produced'. Reg is a true modern day troubadour – commenting on life as he sees it, with some of the most beautifully disarming songs and lyrics ever written.
Reg Meuross
http://www.regmeuross.com
“…sounds like a forgotten, American 60s classic with echoes of Dylan, Tom Paxton & Leonard Cohen” Robin Denselow, The Guardian
“There’s something special about the way he writes and delivers a song” Townes Van Zandt.
In the mid-1980s Reg Meuross formed the Panic Brothers with Richard Morton, mixing Americana with humour and slick harmonies. Then came the Flamingos, Hank Wangford, and now 11 highly acclaimed solo albums have established his songs as ‘the hinges upon which swing the doors of perceptive English folk’ (Folkwords).
Reg’s songs comment bravely on life as he sees it, bringing wide ranging stories from the ghosts of WW1 soldiers to the ravages of dementia, and some of the most beautifully disarming songs and lyrics ever written. Reg has that rare gift of being able to touch people, through his songs and performance, on a really human level. His words and music paint pictures that remain with the listener long after the song has been sung.
“Meuross, quite simply, is one of the best” Malcolm Carter, Pennyblack Music
“Powerful and moving songwriting” Martin Chilton, The Telegraph
“A mighty songwriter and an equally fine singer” Martin Carthy
'Magnificent, powerful & moving' (Pete Townshend).
'Intelligent and thought-provoking songs, beautifully made and skilfully delivered' (The Times).
Reg Meuross tour dates
Jim Malcolm
One of the finest exponents of traditional and contemporary Scottish songs, as well as some self-penned gems, accompanies himself on guitar and harmonica. Jim has been frontman, guitarist & harmonica player with Old Blind Dogs, one of Scotland's best-known folk groups, since 1999 and also enjoys a successful solo career with several acclaimed CDs. Jim's music embraces traditional and contemporary songs and his own, one of which, 'Neptune', was used in a TV documentary about the North Sea which won him 'Songwriter of the Year' at the Scottish Trad music awards.
Jim Malcolm tour dates
Allan Yn Y Fan
Allan Yn Y Fan is Wales' leading Celtic music band of the 21st Century with an international reputation for their concert, festival and recorded work. The multi-instrumental quintet are now gaining a reputation as much for their "beautiful vocals" as for their "fiery instrumentals". Allan yn y Fan embrace their audiences with both their own beautiful and upbeat tunes and a selection of Wales' most haunting songs and melodies. The band's international touring experience includes performances in France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic and many events in the UK.
Allan Yn Y Fan tour dates
The Outcast Band
High energy roots-rock 5-piece from Stroud, blending rock with folk and punk influences. Rock guitars collide with mandolins, violins and accordians to produce a sound coming from the same ball park as The Levellers, The Waterboys and The Saw Doctors.
The Outcast Band tour dates
Bella Gaffney
Folk and acoustic singer Bella Gaffney writes folk inspired songs which she performs along with her own original arrangements of traditional pieces.
She started her acoustic music career several years ago at the Topic Folk Club. Her songwriting is influenced by lyrical songwriters as well as those with strong narratives, artists as diverse as Richard Thompson, Jez Lowe, Billy Bragg, Jack Savoretti, Roger Davies and Michelle Shocked.
Bella Gaffney tour dates
Polly Bolton
Talented vocalist, singing a range of haunting, traditional ballads.
Polly Bolton tour dates
Les Barker
Les Barker is an English poet best known for his comedic poetry and parodies of popular songs, however he has also produced some very serious thought-provoking written work. Originally from Manchester he trained in accountancy before his talent for the written word was discovered. As well as touring Britain he has also performed in Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America and Canada. He has published 75 books to date and has released 20 albums.
Les Barker tour dates
Vishtèn
Vishtèn are an Acadian multi-instrumentalist trio comprising twin sisters Pastelle and Emmanuelle LeBlanc and Pastelle’s husband Pascal Miousse who hails from the neighbouring Magdalen Islands. The sisters are also expert exponents of a French Canadian phenomenon “podorythmie” or foot percussion.
Vishtèn tour dates
Fake Thackray
Jake Thackray's satirical, witty and sentimental songs brought him fame and a string of top selling albums in the 1960s and 1970s. John Watterson's tribute to Jake is full of the warmth, humour and sincerity that you would expect from a lifelong fan.
Fake Thackray tour dates
Findlay Napier
Talented singer-songwriter-guitarist from the Highlands of Scotland taking in elements of folk, rock, pop, country and even a touch of jazz.
Findlay is well known as the host of Celtic Connections late night sessions and made his name touring and recording with Scottish folk band Back Of The Moon.
Findlay Napier tour dates
Gibb Todd
Although Gibb has been a unique voice and familiar face on the traditional music scene since the '60s, in the UK he is perhaps best known through his numerous tours with The Dubliners, The Fureys or Cherish The Ladies.
Gibb Todd tour dates
Alistair Russell
Former frontman of the Battlefield Band, and still far from world-weary. He sings songs mainly from Scotland and Ireland along with a few of his own. A relaxed and accomplished player of the guitar and cittern.
Alistair Russell tour dates
The Stayawakes
Southsea punk-pop five-piece. The power-pop quintet deliver big hearted jams and sweet harmonies with a visceral live energy and more volume than is strictly necessary!
The Stayawakes tour dates
Alistair Goodwin
Since first picking up a guitar at the age of three the instrument has held a lifelong fascination for Alistair. His love of acoustic music has led him to play with an extremely wide range of musicians from street performers to the classically trained. Described as gutsy driven acoustic roots, Alistair's live performances blend melody, rhythm and vocal talent into a heartfelt and heady brew.
"Delivering one of the widest dynamic ranges you are likely to find, Alistair's songs lead you from almost silently picked passages of carefully chosen and beautifully articulated script to hard, driven gutsy highs of raw emotion and back again. His new 'Songs for Seagulls' albums contain over 2 hours of solo music recorded in one take in a huge stone and wood recording space, using orchestral recording techniques to capture his rare musical dexterity." - Wickham Festival Review
Alistair Goodwin tour dates
