John Allen

David Anton

Paddy Beadle

Sophie Burrows

A multi-instrumentalist storyteller who specialises in songs based on real events, usually in a style which refers to the tradition, but with a contemporary twist.  UK folk magazines have called him a ‘master craftsman’ and a ‘songwriter of real stature’ who delivers ‘astonishingly moving and inspirational’ performances.  He sings and plays guitar, mandocello and duet concertina, plus, when required, whistle, fiddle, mandolin, keyboards, bass and various other instruments.  He has formed many folk and rock bands over the years and currently tours with banjo and mandolin virtuoso Tom Napper and their ‘big band’ The Piper’s Sons.

Recalls the hazy sound and hushed intimacy of Nick Drake’s first two albums, and also the harder edge of John Martyn.  This is a rare chance to catch him live.  www.myspace.com/jackamobrown 

 
Hugely talented and prolific songwriter, and self-styled Mr Grumpy, in another welcome return to his home patch.
www.myspace.com/mrburdett www.philburdett.com

Canterbury based Philip G. Martin and his hurdy gurdy, along with early woodwind player Geoff Huggins, are Drohne.  Fusing various elements as seemingly disparate as the traditional dance music of central France with heavy psychedelia, they draw on influences rooted in a bygone age as easily as they do the avant garde sound of the Velvet Underground (Phil’s hurdy-gurdy version of ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’ is an aural delight to behold). Although employing instruments normally associated with European traditional music, Drohne make music that is essentially (and eccentrically) contemporary English. www.drohne.co.uk  www.myspace.com/philipgmartin

Leigh institution, dug by one and all, with a 29 year reign as the sultans of soil music, a scintillating blend of folk, bluegrass, western swing, gospel, Cajun, and anything else left lying around in the musical spice rack. www.famouspotatoes.co.uk www.myspace.com/thefamouspotatoes

Ever-growing folk band inspired by 1970s Californian sounds and British favourites like Nick Drake.

Rachel had extensive radio play before performing her first live show, and she opened for grammy winners and nominees before her debut full-length record was even a glimmer in her eye. Reared among the Pentecostal pines of Oregon, Harrington’s rural gospel roots shone through on her 2004 living room demo.  That humble four-song EP spent 13 weeks on the AMA Chart and garnered the Seattle siren stellar reviews. By 2006, Rachel was touring with her songwriting hero Guy Clark, winning national songwriting awards and performing at large festivals www.rachelharrington.net

Accomplished female a cappella harmony trio from Leigh, singing a wide range of folk songs from Britain, America, Eastern Europe, Africa and more besides.

Long-established and popular local bluegrass band led by Ian Slater with four compadrés.

This well loved duo combine highly skilful and innovative performance and 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 textures of James’ 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.   www.kerrfagan.com

Dennis Holmes sang and played vibes/guitar in '60s band Synanthesia. Their sole album (released in 1969) is among the few lost acid-folk classics that is actually worth the 200+ pounds that it regularly fetches on eBay!www.myspace.com/dennishomes 

Leigh Folk Festival regulars, led by Sandra Potts.

Guitarist, singer-songwriter and
New Roots Competition Winner.
www.myspace.com/benlittlesologuitarist

Those wicked Essex rascals, Mawkin, have joined forces with the honey-voiced Jim Causley to form one hell of a boy-band!  One of the best instrumental outfits to emerge in recent years, Mawkin have a string of festival and concert appearances under their belt.  Bringing Jim Causley on board is a masterstroke, as his gorgeous baritone voice is the perfect foil for their cleverly textured tunes and energetic performances.  A unique collaboration not to be missed!

Maker of delicate yet stubborn songs, an instinctive traveller, a human scrapbook.  Years spent as a hitchhiker and a period of homelessness have enriched her knowledge of people and places, all whilst keeping moving.  Her studio albums have attracted collaborations with some of the most important names on the scene, such as producers John Wood, Boo Hewerdine and Neill MacColl.  Her albums are recorded live in the studio, her shows are simple and direct, and much of her work has been made using the instruments she has built herself. ‘Shivering, hollering, edgy, dark, delightful, disturbing, involving, beautifully phrased acoustic music’ – The Living Tradition.

Meridian are based around the driving chordal work of Richard Jones (accordion), the intricate melodic lines of Chris Walshaw (pipes / whistles / flutes) and the rhythm’ n’ groove harmonies of Anna Tabbush (fiddle / flute).  Anna, raised in the tradition, also sings and adds vocal lines.  Meridian play excellent arrangements of marvellous tunes and compelling songs for concerts and Euro-dances, and provide the glorious sound of ‘raw folk energy, laced with finesse’.

Steeped in the creation of music from her Mellow Candle days, her greatest claim to fame is her astounding ability to sing three part harmonies simultaneously.  The seagulls wink whenever they hear her name. Reaching the age that a number of religions reckon is worth a good outing, she ditched the beribboned shoes and applied herself to the art of song.  She unleashed folky, rocky, jazzy, rootsy, trad. sounds in 2006 with a co-conspirator, egged on by two Siamese cats.  2008 brings new collaborations with Circulus, Espers and The Owl Service among others.

A group quickly earning themselves a reputation as one of the most exciting new bands on he traditional music scene.  The Outside Track combine music from different cultures to form a distinct and dynamic musical sound.  Flute, harp, fiddle, guitar, accordion and vocals combine in expressive, energetic arrangements that deliver traditional music with a modern twist.  Formed in Limerick but now operating from Edinburgh as their band ‘home’ they have toured in Scotland and Ireland and played at Sidmouth Folk Week in 2007.  The breadth of their work and their obvious talents for arrangement and writing is impressive for a band so young in years, but perhaps everything we should expect from a band so talented.

Acoustic folk quartet mixing traditional music, original songs and tunes, with the flavour of a transatlantic session.

A duo that has been carving out a reputation for delivering innovative new slants on traditional tunes and fascinating originals at festivals and folk clubs around the country.  Vicki’s unique style of playing the Scottish small-pipes, that is at once spellbindingly beautiful and haunting, is perfectly complemented by Jonny’s driving guitar playing.

Band of the Southend Irish Association, and kings of the pub session.

Very fine unaccompanied folk singer from Leigh, and resident at the Hoy at Anchor Folk Club, with a huge repertoire of traditional songs and ballads.

It’s a long way from that golden Chelsea morning of Mitchell’s folk, but Emma is fresh, quirky and different from her contemporaries.  The particulars of her style have solidified recently, most songs feature her flanged guitar, flecked with classical string embellishments and highly subdued Indian tabla rhythm accompaniment. ‘To say that Tricca’s music resembles that of a Baez or Mitchell would be too easy and, in this case, limiting to the musical style and breadth. Combining traditional folk nuances with modern combinations of instrument and rhythm, Tricca sings without naivety, subtly creating a seductive and powerful experience’ – Saffron Summerfield.   

A reunion for one of Essex’s top ceilidh bands of yesteryear, featuring at this year’s Saturday night dance.

Elements of blues, jazz, burlesque cabaret, classical and leftfield contemporary music make their take on folk music peerless, fearless and wholeheartedly brave.  Debut album ‘Cruel Sister’ won Mojo Folk Album of the Year, and subsequent album ‘The Bairns’ has been described as ‘utterly gorgeous’ by the Telegraph.  They were nominated for best group, best live act, and best album at the 2008 BBC Folk Awards, and took the ‘Horizon’ award for best newcomers.  ‘The Bairns’ was No.17 in the Observer Music Magazine’s Top 50 Albums of 2007, the only folk album in the 50

One of this year's New Roots Competition Winners, a young melodeon maestro from Northampton and regular with the Moulton Morris Men.

Brilliant country blues trio featuring banjo, guitar and bass, and winners of the 2006/7 ‘Blue Angel’ award from Prittlewell’s long-running Preview Club.

Now back together after a long fallow period, the brothers revisit the folk blues – gospel songs of the Reverend Gary Davis, Washington Phillips and other greats, in their own unique style.