The live musical and dance performances in the British folk tradition will include:
Seth Lakeman Seth Lakeman, the West Country born singer and songwriter credited with bringing folk music to a whole new audience since his 2005 Mercury nominated debut, Kitty Jay, is set to release his eagerly anticipated 3rd album, 'Poor Man's Heaven', on Relentless on June 30th 2009.
He performed to a heaving mass of 15,000 in the 'New Band Tent' at the V Festival as well as on two stages at Glastonbury, and has made signifacant inroads internationally.
Seth's lyrical themes from the traditional West Country inspired story telling, often bring sharply up to date historical contexts. A modern take on the truest tradition of folk music.
Battlefield Band
Under their banner Forward with Scotland’s Past, Battlefield Band have been performing on the international scene for more than three decades, inspired by their rich heritage of Celtic music and fired by the strength of the modern Scottish cultural scene. The band, who pioneered the integration of bagpipes with fiddle, keyboards, guitar and voice, mix the old songs and tunes with new self-penned material, playing them on a unique fusion of ancient and modern instruments: bagpipes, synthesizers, fiddles, guitars, cittern, bass, whistles, and bouzouki.
Founded by a group of friends in 1969 and named after the ‘Battlefield’ area of Glasgow, Battlefield Band now perform throughout the world, playing to audiences in Europe, Australia, Asia, the Middle East & Canada, as well as more than 60 cities annually in the United States. Their music is played regularly on National Public Radio’s Thistle and Shamrock program, and they are frequent guests on Minnesota Public Radio’s A Prairie Home Companion.
In September 13th 2003, Battlefield Band were awarded Best Live Act at the first annual Scots Trad Music Awards. The awards celebrate Scotland’s thriving traditional musical scene; the nominees chosen by a panel of Scotland’s traditional music experts, and the winners chosen by popular public vote via post and email to the BBC, with voting open to audiences around the world. Still leading the way after 30 years!
This is the band that others measure themselves against. Over the years new members have brought with them new ideas, new music, new instruments, attitudes and influences, leading to continued creativity, freshness and enthusiasm. After 30 years they still lead the way for Scottish music, always involving their ever widening audience as they travel the world.
The Demon Barber Roadshow Winners of the 2009 Radio 2 Folk Awards - Best Live Act, you are in for a treat.
Youthful, enthralling, charismatic, and with bags of attitude, The Demon Barbers combine solid traditional acoustic instruments and songs with the added oomph of a superbly tight rhythm section, making a unique and captivating sound. Energetic fiddle and passionate, distinctive vocals ‘with driven punchy tunes and songs, drum ‘n’ bass grooves, the odd touch of ska and an ever present feel that this lot know how to party’ result in ‘one of the most exciting acts around… check them out....’ fRoots
'The Demon Barbers are one of the best live bands I've ever seen. If you get a chance to see them - don't miss it - they are brilliant' Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2
Breabach Scottish firebrands Breabach are one of the most talked about bands on the folk scene. Their innovative celtic style, blending double bagpipes, flute, fiddle, song and Scottish stepdance, brings to the stage, flare, excitement and diversity rarely seen from such a young group. Their enviable musicianship is coupled with a delightful ability to connect with their audience and has gained Breabach international recognition as one of Scotland’s leading new acts. Breabach sprung into life when they became winners of a ‘Danny Kyle Open Stage Award’ at Celtic Connections in 2005. This proved to be the spring board from which they launched into 2006; signing to Vertical Records and being nominated for ‘Best Up and Coming’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards. 2007 has seen the launch of Breabach’s debut album ‘The Big Spree’ (see reviews) and a hugely successful Tune Up Tour across Scotland in October. The band made a return visit to the music awards in Fort William in December, this time they were in the running for Best Folk Band 2007.
Faustus Saul Rose is one of the country's finest Melodeon players and a rapidly developing singer. He's played melodeon for almost a quarter of a century! Saul works with lots of different line ups when away from Faustus and is usually busy playing somewhere...
Paul Sartin is a hugely versatile musician counting Christchurch Cathedral Choir and Dr Faustus amongst his past bands! As well as working with Faustus, Paul continues to be half of Belshazzars Feast and 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 released his 3rd solo album "Boomerang" on Navigator Records, the album features (amongst others) the Mercury nominated Seth Lakeman. Benji has worked on Seth's albums, with the Oysterband Big Session and of course, Dr. Faustus, he continues to play in his fathers ceilidh band Mr Gubbins Bicycle.
Roy began his singing career in a skiffle group in 1958. For nearly 50 years he has sung in folk clubs, concerts and festivals the length and breadth of England, Scotland and Wales and from Sydney to Vancouver, from Cape Town to Stockholm.
His career has been hailed as representing "the very soul of folk's working class ideals... a triumphal homage to the grass roots folk scene as a radical alternative to the mainstream music industry."
(Colin Irwin, MOJO)
He has been described in the GUARDIAN as being the possessor of one of the finest voices in the folk world and has a large, widespread and very loyal following worldwide.
Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies Jez Lowe and The Bad Pennies have been playing their songs and music of Northern England for a decade and a half around the folk festivals, clubs and concert stages of the world. "Acoustic simplicity coupled with electric vitality" was how they were described in their early days, and with half a dozen albums to their credit, along with solo albums by Jez and by other members of the group, their following has continued to increase. In 2006 alone they have played in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, Belgium and of course all over the UK and Ireland. Strong vocals, backed by outstanding instrumental back-up on guitar, cittern, fiddle, fretless bass, keyboards and Northumbrian Pipes, have made them one of Britain's top attractions on the folk/acoustic/celtic circuit.
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.
Ashley Hutchings and The Rainbow Chasers The Rainbow Chasers is a new group formed by Ashley Hutchings. "The Guv'nor", as he is affectionately called, has gathered round him three highly talented musicians, Joe Topping (guitar and vocals), Jo Hamilton (Viola, guitar and vocals) and Ruth Angell (Fiddle, guitar and vocals).
Together they perform a repertoire of self-penned songs of the highest quality and sophistication, drawing from a broad range of ideas and influences. Skilful and sensitive musical arrangements are neatly counterbalanced with tremendous harmony singing and shared lead vocals.
Throughout his career Ashley has sought to inspire and nurture new talent. This new acoustic group emphasises the fact that he remains one of English music's most influential figures.
Ceilidhography A five piece ceilidh band based in the West Midlands.
Their style is based around English folk tunes fused with an eclectic mix of world beats.
Cate Bannister is the excellent resident caller, who will get every crowd dancing into a frenzy with her captivating charm.
Tickled Pink TICKLED PINK were formed in 1989. Originally a ceilidh band, they were formed as the perfect antidote to the stiff-starchy Country-dance bands of the time. They set out to be a band that could play Traditional English music that rocked, rather than just being another ‘Folk Rock’ Band. After a few line-up changes they finally hit the festival scene. Within a very short time they were one of the most sought after bands on the UK festival circuit.
Tickled Pink were primarily an English Ceilidh band until three years ago when Mark Hutchinson joined. Having a membership with such a varied mix of musical tastes has influenced the sound of Tickled Pink. Their style combines Traditional English Music and song with many different musical genres: Rave, Reggae, Blues, Rap, Country etc etc etc …….whatever takes their fancy. The boys still work as a ceilidh band but are also enjoying the freedom of concert type gigs.
Typsy Jazz When three young musicians found themselves jamming Django Reinhardt tunes at their local pub in the small, country town of Bromyard, Herefordshire, onlookers were stunned. They played into the early hours, and as they grew tipsier, so did the jazz... It was on this night that Typsy Jazz was born! Featuring the considerable talents of childhood friends Remi Harris and Sam Hughes on acoustic guitars – Typsy Jazz have found a rare balance between tight arrangements and playful improvisation that never fails to keep audiences guessing. Throw into the mix the truly unique bodhrán style of Mark Lewis, and the result is a refreshing new sound that still manages to stay true to the Django Gypsy Jazz style.
Jackie Oates Jackie Oates originates from a musical family and was born in Cheshire, spending most of her school life in Staffordshire. She moved to Devon in 2001, where she still lives. Deriving her inspiration from early exposure to Bromyard and Sidmouth folk festivals, she fiddle sings mainly traditional English folk song, in both a solo capacity, as a member of Rachel Unthank and the Winterset, and with brand new trio 'Wistman's Wood.
She also occasionally plays as part of a string trio with Devon band 'Show of Hands' She works for folk organisations such as Wren music, Folk South West and T.A.P.S, and Shooting Roots, where she tutors young people in the art of folk singing and playing. Jackie was a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2003, and has since gone on to represent England at the European Network of Folk Arts festival in 2003, and has appeared on severed acclaimed folk albums; Sweet England (Jim Moray), Jim Moray (Jim Moray), Beam (Laurel Swift and Friends), Cruel Sister (Rachel Unthank and the Winterset), Witness (Show of Hands), Ghosts and Greasepaint (Barry Lister) and Twilight of the Dogs (Les Barker).
Jackie's own self titled debut album is finally available at gigs and on her website. Whilst its not due for release just yet, it is already attracting a lot of attention.
Orkney-born Kris Drever, emerged from the ferment of the late-90s Edinburgh session scene as a member of bands including Fine Friday and Session A9, and an increasingly sought-after accompanist, working with artists including Eddi Reader and Julie Fowlis. Fast building his name both as a guitarist of exceptionally eclectic talent, and a singularly eloquent interpreter of traditional and contemporary songs, he released his debut solo album, Black Water, in October 2006 for Reveal Records, going on to win the Horizon prize for best newcomer at the following year's Radio 2 Folk Awards.
John McCusker was born in the same Bellshill hospital as most of Teenage Fanclub and Sheena Easton. He formed his first band, Parcel O'Rogues, at fifteen, and joined top Scottish folk act the Battlefield Band two years later, remaining with them until 2001. During this time he also began a twelve-year partnership with celebrated Yorkshire folk-singer Kate Rusby, producing several of her award-winning albums and anchoring her live band. John's film and TV soundtrack credits include the Damien O'Donnell movie Heartlands, Jennifer Saunders' BBC1 sitcom Jam and Jerusalem, and Billy Connolly's World Tour of New Zealand. He has recently recorded on Mark Knopfler and Paul Weller's latest albums, and is current producing the forthcoming debut solo release by Radiohead drummer Philip Selway.
Crucible perform an exciting mix of energetic tunes, rich and evocative harmony singing and subtle accompaniment for a unique programme of English traditional material, ably complemented by their own compositions in the same style. They combine four joyfully distinct voices with a range of traditional instruments, including English bagpipes, fiddles, melodeon, guitar and cittern. Members of the band have many years’ experience as professional folk performers with dance bands Glory Strokes, Hekety and Jabadaw and English roots phenomenon, Bellowhead.
Crucible evoke the best of the old whilst remaining assuredly at the forefront of the new-wave of English roots bands. Their unaccompanied vocals have drawn comparisons with such luminaries as the Watersons, and The Young Tradition, whilst their instrumental prowess and fresh arrangements bring to mind contemporary acts like Eliza Carthy and Spiers and Boden.
Now enjoying considerable success, they have performed on the main stages of major UK festivals including Sidmouth, Towersey, Chippenham, Warwick, Cambridge, Cheltenham and the National, as well as at many smaller festivals and folk clubs. They are now in increasing demand from folk and roots stages outside the UK and have built on their continued popularity in Eastern Canada with a tours of Mid-Europe and a performance at Belgium’s prestigious Dranouter Festival in 2006.
The band is based in Newport, South Wales, with a strong Irish connection - 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Irish. Tom hails from Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, and is now living and working in Newport, Gwent. Rosie is second generation Irish from Co. Cavan and Co. Donegal parents and was born and raised in Newport. Scot comes from Caldicot, his grandparents came from Co. Roscommon. Mike is a Welshman from Cwmbran and Keith is a settled Englishman living in Magor in Wales.
In summer 2007 there were discussions between Rosie and Tom about starting up an Irish band in Newport. Newport has a big Irish community so there would be great demand for the group. The idea was dropped until summer 2008 then further discussions between Rosie and Tom decided on a start date of September 2008. Tom contacted the rhythm section of a previous band to help out, i.e. Mike and Keith. Then he contacted a colleague of his, Scot McKeon, to assist also. Scot plays in the same ceili band as Tom called Amairgin Na Gael which is part of Comhaltas and is based at the Irish Club in Newport. Peel Your Own Spuds was formed (also known as The Spuds)! During the summer of 2008, Tom wrote six numbers for the band to give the group an original Irish feel. The numbers have been recorded and can be listened to on MySpace. The group rehearse at The Irish Club, Newport.
skyhook are an exciting collaboration of three of the finest acoustic musicians in Sheffield, England. Martin Harwood, Cath James and Eoin Teather play traditional tunes and songs from Scotland, Ireland, Cape Breton Island, plus some brand new self-penned compositions.
skyhook are characterised by breathtaking twin fiddles combined with sublime guitar, bouzouki and voice. They shift seamlessly between driving dance music and spine-tingling songs, and play with a joy and precision that's hard to match.
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.
2007's winner, 18-year-old Maz O’Connor is one of the guests for this year’s Bromyard Folk Festival. http://www.myspace.com/mazoconnor
With warmth, humor and understated scholarship, Jeff Warner connects
21st century audiences with the music and everyday lives of 19th century
people. He presents musical traditions from the Outer Banks fishing
villages of North Carolina, to the lumber camps of the Adirondack
Mountains and the whaling ports of New England. His songs have
“the stamp of authority and real experience” (Tykes News,
Yorkshire, UK). He has honed his craft in front of audiences
across the country at festivals, museums, clubs and schools.
His songs, rich in local history and a sense of place,
bring us the latest news from the distant past.
Steve Turner comes from a family of singers and concertina players. His grandfather was known to have sung and played the instrument in the 1890's.
Steve began his career on the Manchester folk scene at the end of the 1960s. Joining the Geordie band "Canny Fettle" in 1970, he made two albums and toured in Britain and Europe with them for eight years.
In 1979, he won the Melody Maker "Stars of the 80s" national competition, which persuaded him to turn professional for 12 years until 1991. During this time he made four solo albums with Fellside Records and toured internationally.
A period of thirteen years away from the folk scene followed with Steve building a violin retailing business and diversifying musically into a more classical mode.
But folk music has a habit of getting into your blood. So 2004 saw Steve make a somwhat nervous return to the folk scene, but he was warmly welcomed to the extent that he was asked to make a new fifth album, which is now completed, at Ollie Knight's studio in Robin Hood's Bay and includes guests like Martin Carthy, Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Kevin Brown and others.
4Square are a Manchester-based quartet who play and sing a melodic blend of tunes and songs, both traditional and self penned.
Since their humble beginnings in a freezing cold farmhouse near Rochdale in the Winter of 2006, this band’s music has gelled and matured into the funkiest, most energetic and powerful music you shall hear from the British folk music scene today. They play with technical prowess that defies their age, as well as fiery energy, and always a touch of fun.
Keith started playing guitar in his teens, on a ‘beaten up old monster’ that his dad had traded with a Norwegian Sailor.
He had Classical Lessons (with Vincent Carrahagh) for a couple of years in South Shields, the perfect grounding for the finger-picking style he went on to develop for accompanying his original songs.
In his solo projects in the early nineties and especially in the time since the split – Keith’s comedy genius has been allowed to flourish.
In the last ten years Keith has played at literally hundreds of festivals, colleges and universities, arts centres and theatres, comedy clubs, etc. etc. in the UK and worldwide.
Combining Folk, Americana, Roots and Acoustic traditions the Irish-born singer-songwriter Gareth Davies-Jones demonstrates that the legacy of well-written, descriptive music laid down by the likes of Woody Guthrie still lives on here in the UK. Compelling you to listen to each word sung and every note strummed his powerful and strong lyrics bring affecting stories, social and political observations which wouldn’t sound out of place in a 1960s Greenwich Village coffee shop or in any contemporary folk acoustic platform. Some artists sing in the name of one cause or another without conviction, but that is not the case here. Recognised by commentators as an emerging talent in the Troubador tradition Gareth is already a seasoned singer-songwriter/guitarist and has appeared at many of the UK’s best known festivals and venues including Celtic Connections, Brampton Folk Festival, Greenbelt Festival, Warwick Folk Festival, Off The Tracks, Crossover, The Sage –Gateshead and The Brighton Arena.
His songs have been featured on BBC Radio 2, 3 & 4, BBC Local Radio across the UK, Radio Britfolk, The Acoustic Stage and FolkRadio UK. Gareth also uses his music to support various organisations fighting for social justice such as Traidcraft and Casa Alianza. Alongside solo tours, other collaborations include tours with Yvonne Lyon, Megson and Rob Halligan and support work for Karine Polwart, Phil Beer, Waterson Carthy, Paul Field and Coco Mbassi.
Graeme’s involvement in folk music goes back over eighteen years and apart from his singing, he has been involved in running several clubs and was Director of the Doncaster Folk Festival for six years.
Although Graeme enjoyed a high profile, singing Shanties and Sea songs with the respected group ‘LANDLOCKED’ for five years, his singing is not limited to just this type of song. His repertoire is wide ranging and he can apply his rich baritone voice to encompass Traditional Love Songs, Mining Songs, Gospel songs, Drinking and Music Hall Songs and some more recently written contemporary songs – many with good enjoyable and singable choruses.
Paul and Liz are fortunate, given that they are city born and bred, to have roots that encompass such a wide
range of rural tradition. Although Paul has recently been editor of ‘English Dance & Song’, the magazine of
the English Folk Dance & Song Society, they tend to be in the folk scene rather than of it. They are not regular
club singers and, although they can be heard often in informal singing situations in public, they prefer singing
in informal settings. They were the closing performers for the 25th Conference of the International Council for
Traditional Music in Sheffield in 2005, a privilege which is a testimony to the esteem with which their singing is
regarded.
The fesitval welcomes any businesses / individuals who can support us either financially or via their services. Please contact us.
Stewards
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, please email us for more information.
Charity
All of this folk festival's income is used in the furtherance of our sole charitable aim of running this festival to promote folk song, dance and music.
Winners of the 2009 Radio 2 Folk Awards - Best Live Act, you are in for a treat.
Saul Rose is one of the country's finest Melodeon players and a rapidly developing singer. He's played melodeon for almost a quarter of a century! Saul works with lots of different line ups when away from Faustus and is usually busy playing somewhere... 
Orkney-born Kris Drever, emerged from the ferment of the late-90s Edinburgh session scene as a member of bands including Fine Friday and Session A9, and an increasingly sought-after accompanist, working with artists including Eddi Reader and Julie Fowlis. Fast building his name both as a guitarist of exceptionally eclectic talent, and a singularly eloquent interpreter of traditional and contemporary songs, he released his debut solo album, Black Water, in October 2006 for Reveal Records, going on to win the Horizon prize for best newcomer at the following year's Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Crucible perform an exciting mix of energetic tunes, rich and evocative harmony singing and subtle accompaniment for a unique programme of English traditional material, ably complemented by their own compositions in the same style. They combine four joyfully distinct voices with a range of traditional instruments, including English bagpipes, fiddles, melodeon, guitar and cittern. Members of the band have many years’ experience as professional folk performers with dance bands Glory Strokes, Hekety and Jabadaw and English roots phenomenon, Bellowhead. 
The band is based in Newport, South Wales, with a strong Irish connection - 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Irish. Tom hails from Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, and is now living and working in Newport, Gwent. Rosie is second generation Irish from Co. Cavan and Co. Donegal parents and was born and raised in Newport. Scot comes from Caldicot, his grandparents came from Co. Roscommon. Mike is a Welshman from Cwmbran and Keith is a settled Englishman living in Magor in Wales.
skyhook are an exciting collaboration of three of the finest acoustic musicians in Sheffield, England. Martin Harwood, Cath James and Eoin Teather play traditional tunes and songs from Scotland, Ireland, Cape Breton Island, plus some brand new self-penned compositions.
The Fred Jordan Memorial Competition is a regular feature since the death of the celebrated local singer and festival supporter in 2002.
With warmth, humor and understated scholarship, Jeff Warner connects 
Steve Turner comes from a family of singers and concertina players. His grandfather was known to have sung and played the instrument in the 1890's.
4Square are a Manchester-based quartet who play and sing a melodic blend of tunes and songs, both traditional and self penned. 
K
Combining Folk, Americana, Roots and Acoustic traditions the Irish-born singer-songwriter Gareth Davies-Jones demonstrates that the legacy of well-written, descriptive music laid down by the likes of Woody Guthrie still lives on here in the UK. Compelling you to listen to each word sung and every note strummed his powerful and strong lyrics bring affecting stories, social and political observations which wouldn’t sound out of place in a 1960s Greenwich Village coffee shop or in any contemporary folk acoustic platform. Some artists sing in the name of one cause or another without conviction, but that is not the case here. Recognised by commentators as an emerging talent in the Troubador tradition Gareth is already a seasoned singer-songwriter/guitarist and has appeared at many of the UK’s best known festivals and venues including Celtic Connections, Brampton Folk Festival, Greenbelt Festival, Warwick Folk Festival, Off The Tracks, Crossover, The Sage –Gateshead and The Brighton Arena. 
Graeme’s involvement in folk music goes back over eighteen years and apart from his singing, he has been involved in running several clubs and was Director of the Doncaster Folk Festival for six years. 
Paul and Liz are fortunate, given that they are city born and bred, to have roots that encompass such a wide
range of rural tradition. Although Paul has recently been editor of ‘English Dance & Song’, the magazine of
the English Folk Dance & Song Society, they tend to be in the folk scene rather than of it. They are not regular
club singers and, although they can be heard often in informal singing situations in public, they prefer singing
in informal settings. They were the closing performers for the 25th Conference of the International Council for
Traditional Music in Sheffield in 2005, a privilege which is a testimony to the esteem with which their singing is
regarded.
.