FRIDAY MAY 25 2012
AT THE ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN
UTTOXETER RACECOURSE
The MOVE - IAN McNABB
Swans in Flight - Fake Thackray
Rodney Branigan - Patsy Matheson and Becky Mills
Shamus O'Blivion and the Megadeath Morrismen
MANOS DES BOHEMIANS, Tracey Hunter - Radio Mary - Maniere des Bohemiens
Rodney Branigan - STEVE HICKS & Lyn Goulbourne - Red Rose - John Dignam
Radio Mary - Simon Kempston - TJ & Murphy - Grassoline - Bare Foot - Slow Burn
Weather - Stuart Gary - Simon Astley - Dave Dove - EMILO PINCHI
The Move have rock band credentials that speak for themselves. They can boast being the first band to be played on Radio 1, and have toured alongside The Who and Jimi Hendrix. Without doubt, The Move are one of Britain's most respected bands, having had numerous hit records over the last 30 years including classics such as Fire Brigade, Flowers In The Rain and Blackberry Way.
In November and December 1967 the group took part in another package tour around the UK, playing two shows a night over sixteen days as part of an all-star bill that included The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Pink Floyd, The Nice, Amen Corner and the then BBC Radio 1 DJ, Pete Drummond. |
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Ian McNabb
One of the great singer/songwriters to emerge from the 80s Liverpool music scene. Founder/lead singer with the chart toppers The Icicle Works, famous for the UK and US Top 40 hits "Love Is A Wonderful Colour" and "Whisper To A Scream (Birds Fly)",
Ian McNabb has gone on to enjoy a critically-acclaimed solo career. The Mercury Music Prize nominated artist continues to write stunning songs with warmth, humour, cynicism and grandeur.
He has also played with musicians as diverse as Ringo Starr, Crazy Horse, Mike Scott (of The Waterboys), and Danny Thompson of folk legends Pentangle. |
Swans In Flight are a band which over the last 24 months have been making a definite impression at a number top venues and festivals across the UK. The six piece outfit has been applauded in the press and on radio for its originality and musicianship as well for their engaging stage performance.
Swans In Flight perform both a genuine acoustic set and/or a dynamic and powerful rock show. Their credibility is underscored by the fact musicians from bands such Megadeth, Billy Idol Band, Whitesnake, Tina Turner Band and Jethro Tull have featured as guests in Swans In Flight.
Swans In Flight have performed shows as Special Guest to acts as diverse as Seth Lakeman, Thin Lizzy. Steve Vai and Doctor Feelgood. plus performed the mainstage of the Cambridge Rock Show, Rhythm Festival, RIBFEST, The Acoustic Festival of Britain and Beautiful Days. |
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Chris Cross
It's difficult to say whether he's primarily a contortionist who uses comedy or a comedian who uses dislocating his shoulders as an act. Cross has a natural, easy style (not to be mistaken for unrehearsed) and builds a rapport with an audience with the ease of someone whose been performing much longer than his age (21) would suggest. He has one liners and put downs a plenty and isn't afraid of challenging anyone within a 50 yard radius of his show - this is real street performing art at its best.
He performs several contorting tricks that involve dislocating his shoulders and get increasingly stomach churning as the show progresses. Using your own arms as skipping ropes is both impressive and nauseating at the same time and he finishes with an escape from a straight-jacket just as the audience count down to one. Contortion and escapology might seem a bit like a Saturday evening end of pier show. Until you've seen how well Chris Cross does it, don't be fooled." |
| Fake Thackray
John Watterson has performed the songs of Jake Thackray at festivals, concerts, clubs, after dinner venues and – most specially – to members of Jake’s family.
Jake’s songs are exquisitely funny, satirical, incisive, irreverent, witty and gloriously un-PC – and sometimes all of these at the same time. Jake was a one off, his poetry broke the rules yet worked beautifully. He was a true craftsman of the English language, and his legacy of scores of songs continues to delight audiences of all ages today.
John's appreciation and love of Jake Thackray's music is obvious to his audience. John’s performance is a celebration of the man that was Jake Thackray - his work, his genius and his very essence, an essence that the new age of music lovers are in danger of missing out on.
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Rodney Branigan is the guy that plays two guitars at once. But, it's not gimmicky. That's right, he is a master at alternate tuning, and strums one while he does hammer-ons with the other. He creates a controlled piece of mayhem
This artist calls his music ‘progressive folk fusion,’ but that doesn’t do it justice. Clearly, he’s invented a new genre one that blends rock, folk, flamenco, madrigal, classical, bluegrass and jazz and, it all works. Most songs are instrumentals that are driving, thumping monsters. The vocal pieces are just as strong, but not quite as thrilling. Branigan plays music so compelling that you have to listen to it. It stuns the audience and hushes the room even in a bustling L.A. club.
Rodney Branigan is one of the most amazing artists you will ever see. Not simply because he’s unique, but rather because he’s impossibly talented. Whether this artist made a deal at the Crossroads, or has preternatural abilities is unknown.
Even if someone doesn't like acoustic music, one is going to watch in slack-jawed amazement wondering, WTF did I just see?! |
Since the well publicised break up of Waking the Witch, Patsy Matheson and Becky Mills have continued to delight audiences throughout the UK – Patsy as half of a duo with the legendary Clive Gregson (Gregson & Collister, Richard Thompson Band), and Becky singing alongside Ken Nicol (Steeleye Span) and Ashley Hutchings (Fairport Convention). Now, to support the release of their two new albums ( Patsy’s ‘Stories of Angels & Guitars’ available 16th Jan 2012) and Becky’s ‘Dandelion’ , these two highly respected songwriters, singers and guitar players have joined forces resulting in a unique and personal sound, drawing on roots in traditional and contemporary folk, acoustic blues, R & B, jazz and rock, with an emphasis on intricate vocal harmonies. Combine this with the pair’s engaging charm and sense of humour, and this promises to be a very special set of top quality entertainment. |
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Shamus O'Blivion and the Megadeath Morrismen
This Exciting Band have been playing together for over ten years, and if you are yet to encounter them, then they are probably the best band you have never heard of! All of them are highly accomplished musicians and as a band have been steadily earning a reputation across the country for playing Rock influenced Celtic Music (traditional Irish & Scottish) in a hard edged, fast and cheeky style.
With an outlandish stage show which is both extremely visual and very amusing they deliver a high energy set encompassing super fast jigs and reels, enigmatic Celtic melodies, powerful folk rooted songs and a whole heap of rock attitude. |
RADIO MARY are based in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire.
We have our own sound that blends our varied musical influences; a contagious musical cocktail with broad appeal to more than just a single generation of music lovers.
Our selection of carefully chosen cover versions means that everyone at a Radio Mary gig will be able to sing along to atleast one or two songs on the set list, but we are best known for our original material: catchy tunes, and powerful lyrics penned by front man, singer-songwriter Kev Hand, and arranged by the band.
We have a strong local following in our home county of Staffordshire, with hot spots in Uttoxeter, Stoke, Stafford and Leek. We have played at the Acoustic Festival of Britain two years running, 2010 & 2011, and are set to make it a triple with a return visit in 2012.
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Simon Kempston
One of Scotland’s best young songwriters and leading fingerstyle guitarists. An award-winning songwriter and an inspiring, poetic lyricist, his distinctive guitar playing is steeped in the history of the folk, blues and celtic traditions and is complemented by a rich, powerful and compelling vocal. Having performed to critical acclaim in esteemed venues and festivals all over Europe, Simon’s recorded output has received rave reviews nationwide. An intense performer, and an incredibly talented musician Simon’s beautifully crafted folk-tinged songs transport the listener on a uniquely Scottish journey.
A celtic explosion of guitar and voice addressing contemporary and historical social and political issues in an incisive, uniquely melodic way.’ |
TJ and Murphy formed in June 07.The initial idea was to get together as friends and write some acoustic music, in short have a jam-the outcome proved much different. The lads had been in a band together in their early teens. This band dismembered only a few months after it started; this was the point their individual musical journeys began. They would not be in contact for some eight years, until a couple of fait meetings, which would in turn lead them to embarking on a busking trip across Europe. It was there a creative musical spark was triggered; and a strong song writing partnership was forged. TJ describes it as a happy accident . Whatever it was it was the start of an incredible musical journey. On returning home work started on their highly acclaimed 14 track debut album Weary nights , whilst gigging extensively around the UK. |
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Grassoline’s distinctive brand of folk/Americana/‘newgrass’ is earning them a growing reputation on the live concert and festival circuit.
The band’s first recordings on the 6-track mini-album “Mountain & Grave” prompted Americana-UK website to write: “Theirs is a music of epic grandeur and epic heartbreak... What is it I like about Grassoline in general and the mini-album "Mountain & Grave" in particular? The short but unhelpful answer is, everything.”
2012 is set to be a significant year for the band, and their material is already attracting interest in the US, where their music, which draws on influences from both sides of the Atlantic, surely has a spiritual second home.
Grassoline are...Annie the Fiddle fiddles.....Tilley yodels & strums
Chris slides on six strings
Liam Walker rocks, (on drums) |
