The live musical and dance performances in the British folk tradition will include:
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 twice sell out the Albert Hall , headlining at major festivals from Glastonbury to WOMAD and playing all over the world, from Europe to America, Australia and India. Voted Best Live Act by the public at the 2004 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, 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
Cherish the Ladies When describing Cherish the Ladies – the critics say it best…“It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do”, the Boston Globe, “An astonishing array of virtuosity”, the Washington Post, “Expands the annals of Irish music in America…the music is passionate, tender and rambunctious”, The New York Times - and for over 20 years, Cherish the Ladies have proven themselves worthy to live up to these accolades and in doing so have become one of the most engaging ensembles in the history of Irish music.
They have grown from a one-time concert concept to an Irish traditional music sensation, literally the most successful and sought-after Irish-American group in Celtic music. Organized by folklorist/musician Mick Moloney and sponsored by the Ethnic Folk Arts Center and the National Endowment for the Arts, they began as a concert series featuring the brightest lights in Irish traditional music.
Spiers & Boden Spiers and Boden - now in their fifth year of fruitful collaboration the mighty duo have graduated from being the dangerous new kids on the block to being a solid headlining mainstay on the folk scene and pushing outwards into the mainstream. Musicianship and inventiveness is a given with the lads now increasingly focusing on delivering a big, thumping night out with showmanship, humour and raw stomping energy.
Tarras Recently signed to the world's oldest independent label, Topic Records, the Border country, the land that links Scotland to England, based Tarras are an innovative five-piece band with an average age of 2l, whose work has already been remixed by Paul Birchall of M People. Although they have a multitude of different musical influences ranging from 70's folk idols to J.J. Cale, from Tori Amos to The Prodigy, Tarras are guided, first and foremost, by a fierce love and appreciation of authentic English and Celtic music.
Joss Clapp's interpretations of traditional British music are laced with experimental arrangements, but his acoustic bass guitar playing also reflects a passion for the blues. Seven years ago Joss met Rob Armstrong: a master of the Cittern an instrument long associated with an all but lost era of North Eastern folk music. The pair worked together intermittently for some time until they were joined by Ben Murray, son of North East folk luminary, Phil Murray. Ben was essentially a pianist, but in the manner of a man whose earliest memories were of going to a lots of folk gigs, he discovered the accordion and has barely put it down since. Then there is Jon Redfern - no ordinary drummer, Jon not only plays the Djembe and Congas, but he also plays the guitar and flute - and he sings too. The final piece in this jigsaw appears in the form of Emma Hancock. who, at just 17, has already been a finalist in the BBC Young Musician Of The Year, as well as many other prestigious competitions. Despite this. Emma's violin playing hints at her Romany ancestry with its distinctive, fiery, dynamic style.
Born in Madrid and raised in Chicago, Sarah McQuaid recently moved to Cornwall after living in Ireland for 14 years. Drawing on the traditions of Ireland, America and the UK, her music is sublime and compelling, characterised by warm, velvety vocals and a distinctive acoustic guitar style. In 2007 she re-released her album When Two Lovers Meet to critical accaim: “Sarah McQuaid’s debut album offers a masterclass in restraint and subtlety,” wrote fRoots magazine. Sarah is also the author of a highly-regarded guitar tutor, The Irish DADGAD Guitar Book, and has recorded a new album, provisionally titled I Won’t Go Home ’Til Morning and due for release in 2008.
“Sarah’s voice is both as warm as a turf fire and as rich as matured cognac ... An astonishing debut by a unique talent.” – The Rough Guide To Irish Music
“Sarah McQuaid’s debut album offers a masterclass in restraint and subtlety. Authoritative singing and quietly insistent arrangements make for a sumptuous whole – recommended.” — fRoots
“Boy, hasn’t Sarah got a good voice – rich, deep, mature ... One for a romantic evening in, listen to it with a hot whiskey and a peat fire – heaven!” – Irish Music Magazine
“Pure magic!! We are running our folkclub for 16 years now but I never experienced such a thrilling interaction between artist and audience who rewarded you with three encores!! You have the ability to create an intimate atmosphere with your stories, songs and guitar playing and make the audience part of the gig.” — Piet Snellen, De Fookhook, Sevenum, Netherland
Nancy Kerr & James Fagan The winners of the 2003 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo, this well-loved duo combine highly skilful and innovative performance with accessibility, warmth and stage presence. Rarely are duos so full in sound; Nancy’s earthy and exquisite fiddle and viola playing dances with the striking rhythmic texture of James’s guitar-bouzouki, while their rich singing both as soloists and in harmony evokes the stories of the songs they choose and write.
They approach their music with energy and infectious smiles. Rapid musical communication with one another and the audience makes their performance spectacular and unforgettable.
The Omega 3 Clive Harvey and Derek Pearce, founder members of the long defunct, sadly missed and almost legendary Roaring Jelly, are back. Refurbished, revitalised, refortified by vitamins and fish oils, with new wonder ingredient Graeme Taylor, they are reinvented as
The Omega 3, foremost purveyors of English Eccentric Humour in Song, containing those Essential Batty Acids.
Follow the fortunes of the band as once again they set about fearlessly flinging the absurdities of the world back in its face. Marvel at their merry melodies. Revel in their irreverence. Gasp in disbelief and then gurgle with guilty pleasure as they slaughter sacred cows for the sake of a cheap gag. Enjoy. Go on, you know you want to.
Faustus To pick up the gauntlet left by the late Dr Faustus, Paul Sartin and Benji Kirkpatrick have lured Saul Rose out of his semi-retirement from the folk scene and back into a pivotal role in what looks set to become a major force on the English roots scene. All three members have been instrumental in the English revival of the last ten years: Saul Rose is one of the country’s best Melodeon players best known for his work with the ‘Kings of Calicutt’ and ‘Waterson: Carthy’ he continues to work with the ceilidh band ‘Random’ but has been much missed on the concert circuit since his retreat to family life and pharmacy (career NOT recreation!); Paul Sartin is a hugely versatile musician counting Belshazzars Feast and Christchurch Cathedral Choir as well as Dr Faustus amongst his past ‘bands’! As well as working with Faustus he is an integral part of bellowhead lending oboe, fiddle, vocals and his inimitable ‘jazz mc’ technique and dress sense to the group; Also a key member of bellowhead, ‘fretboard wizard’ Benji Kirkpatrick makes up the final third of Faustus. Recently Benji has lent his talents to the Mercury nominated Seth Lakeman, as well as the Oysterband Big Session and of course, Dr. Faustus, he also plays in his father’s ceilidh band Mr Gubbins Bicycle and is an acclaimed solo performer.
Bob Fox Fox always was one of the scene's superior singers and his voice is as confident and ebullient as it ever was . . . Colin Irwin - Folk Roots
Bob, in my view, is a greatly under-rated singer and musician, if he were pushier he'd be up there with the Carthys and Gaughans and he could certainly teach the upcoming generation a thing or three! Raymon Greenoaken - Stirrings Bob Fox's supreme voice is full of life and clarity . . . New Zealand Folk Newsletter
Bob is a local lad and blessed with one of the best voices you will ever hear. He is also a very talented musician playing guitar, piano and dulcimer. Add to that a full and varied repertoire of traditional and modern songs and plenty of good 'crack' and you can be sure of a good night.
Terry Freeman - Davylamp Folk Club
. . . and from Bob Fox, surely one of the great voices of the whole of the Folk Revival, several definitive performances of some great songs. John Muirhead - Living Tradition
Velvet voice, lovely guitar work, wonderful songs, dont miss him 'down South' Dartford Folk Club . . . a highly respected, time served popular performer. Ray Fisher
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Mike & Ali Vass Twins, Mike and Ali Vass have been playing together for over ten years.
Mike (fiddle, vocals) and Ali (piano, vocals) are two of the best young exponents of traditional music in Scotland. Playing a varied mix of traditional and contemporary tunes, songs with close vocal harmonies and footstompin’ jigs and reels, Mike and Ali’s performances are bursting with energy, drive and vitality.
Their inventive arrangements are communicated with style and great technical command, seamlessly matching an empathetic feel for the genre with a contemporary, innovative approach. They display the instinctive musical understanding often found among close family members and are a real duo, not a fiddle player and an accompanist.
Whapweasel WHAPWEASEL have become such a fixture on the festival and dance circuits in recent years that it’s hard to believe they haven’t always been around. The Whaps were propelled into the limelight in 2003 when their third CD, 'Relentless', shifted wagonloads on the back of heavy national radio coverage, unanimously enthusiastic reviews nationwide and indeed worldwide, and a series of triumphant gigs at the Sidmouth International Folk Festival. 'Relentless' was featured on the prestigious fRoots Top Ten Playlist.
Further critical acclaim came at the end of the year with their inclusion in Mojo's list of Best Folk CDs of 2003, and their nomination for the Horizon Award (Best New Act) in the annual BBC Radio 2 Folk Award.
The Fred Jordan Memorial Competition is a regular feature since the death of the celebrated local singer and festival supporter in 2002.
The competition is open to any singer up to the age of 25 and previous winners are Kathryn Turner, Jim Moray and Fiona Bradshaw.
Last year’s winner, 17-year-old Maz O’Connor is one of the guests for this year’s Bromyard Folk Festival. http://www.myspace.com/mazoconnor
Stewards are a much valued part of Bromyard Folk Festival's organisation. If you would like to contribute to the smooth runnning of the festival next year, please email
for more information.
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 twice sell out the Albert Hall , headlining at major festivals from Glastonbury to WOMAD and playing all over the world, from Europe to America, Australia and India. Voted Best Live Act by the public at the 2004 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, 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.
Spiers and Boden - now in their fifth year of fruitful collaboration the mighty duo have graduated from being the dangerous new kids on the block to being a solid headlining mainstay on the folk scene and pushing outwards into the mainstream. Musicianship and inventiveness is a given with the lads now increasingly focusing on delivering a big, thumping night out with showmanship, humour and raw stomping energy.
Born in Madrid and raised in Chicago, Sarah McQuaid recently moved to Cornwall after living in Ireland for 14 years. Drawing on the traditions of Ireland, America and the UK, her music is sublime and compelling, characterised by warm, velvety vocals and a distinctive acoustic guitar style. In 2007 she re-released her album When Two Lovers Meet to critical accaim: “Sarah McQuaid’s debut album offers a masterclass in restraint and subtlety,” wrote fRoots magazine. Sarah is also the author of a highly-regarded guitar tutor, The Irish DADGAD Guitar Book, and has recorded a new album, provisionally titled I Won’t Go Home ’Til Morning and due for release in 2008. 
The winners of the 2003 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo, this well-loved duo combine highly skilful and innovative performance with accessibility, warmth and stage presence. Rarely are duos so full in sound; Nancy’s earthy and exquisite fiddle and viola playing dances with the striking rhythmic texture of James’s guitar-bouzouki, while their rich singing both as soloists and in harmony evokes the stories of the songs they choose and write. 
To pick up the gauntlet left by the late Dr Faustus, Paul Sartin and Benji Kirkpatrick have lured Saul Rose out of his semi-retirement from the folk scene and back into a pivotal role in what looks set to become a major force on the English roots scene. All three members have been instrumental in the English revival of the last ten years: Saul Rose is one of the country’s best Melodeon players best known for his work with the ‘Kings of Calicutt’ and ‘Waterson: Carthy’ he continues to work with the ceilidh band ‘Random’ but has been much missed on the concert circuit since his retreat to family life and pharmacy (career NOT recreation!); Paul Sartin is a hugely versatile musician counting Belshazzars Feast and Christchurch Cathedral Choir as well as Dr Faustus amongst his past ‘bands’! As well as working with Faustus he is an integral part of bellowhead lending oboe, fiddle, vocals and his inimitable ‘jazz mc’ technique and dress sense to the group; Also a key member of bellowhead, ‘fretboard wizard’ Benji Kirkpatrick makes up the final third of Faustus. Recently Benji has lent his talents to the Mercury nominated Seth Lakeman, as well as the Oysterband Big Session and of course, Dr. Faustus, he also plays in his father’s ceilidh band Mr Gubbins Bicycle and is an acclaimed solo performer.
Fox always was one of the scene's superior singers and his voice is as confident and ebullient as it ever was . . . 
The Fred Jordan Memorial Competition is a regular feature since the death of the celebrated local singer and festival supporter in 2002.
