SATURDAY 18 MAY 2013

VIN GARBUTT

In the Folk World he is "The Man"

Winner of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards "Best Live Act" Award 2001

Vin’s career has spanned over 40 years of constant world wide touring which must make him some kind of elder statesman of folk. His songs were inspired by the folk tradition at the beginning of his career, they still are but have transformed into gritty social comment and life observations. He is renowned for his hilarious intros but for him his song lyrics are the crux of his performance.

“Vin cuts through the bull, grasping those he meets firmly by the hand and shaking them up with a dose of laughter and tears. It’s a true gift to be able to make us laugh and squirm at the same time, but Vin does both. He should be prescribed on the National Health.” English Folk Dance & Song Society.

“Every budding singer-songwriter please take note: attending a Vin Garbutt concert is now            mandatory before your first public performance. Garbutt is the undisputed master of communicating with an audience.” - Penguin Eggs magazine. Canada

SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2013

KATRIONA GILMORE and JAMIE ROBERTS

BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award nominees

Contemporary folk/acoustic duo Gilmore & Roberts combine award-winning songwriting with astounding lap-tapping guitar, fiery fiddle and their trademark harmonies, creating a powerful wall of sound. Their third album 'The Innocent Left', recorded in London with producer Julian Simmons (Guillemots, Ed Sheeran, Albert Lee), explores many and varied topics but remains consistently bound by Gilmore & Roberts' passion for stories. From the steady groove of the intriguing 'Doctor James' to the relentless pounding of 'Scarecrow', and 'Silver Screen's wistful introspection, the album encompasses elements of folk, bluegrass and rock while maintaining the Yorkshire-based pair's own distinctive stylings, assisted by several carefully chosen guest musicians. Ben Nicholls (Seth Lakeman band) on double bass and Tom Chapman (Urban Folk Quartet) on cajon and drums comprise the rhythm section across the album, backed up by piano from Will Foster (The Fratellis). Prodigious Georgia-based band Larkin Poe (sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell) guest on several tracks, featuring heavily on the slow-burning 'Shuffle & Deal'.

SATURDAY 16 MARCH 2013

 RUTH FUGA & KEN POWELL

Exceptional Female Singer and 
Brilliant Guitarist

These two people emerged, individually onto the Folk scene many moons ago from different line-ups. Joining forces around 16 years ago as part of the much acclaimed trio ‘Risky Business’. Bringing a combination of music, although predominantly contemporary, to both the Festival and Folk club circuit. Now after a break, we are pleased to see them return as a double act, entertaining us with the same quality sound we have all enjoyed over the years. Ken has been admired for his ability to enhance and strengthen the personal achievements of many a singer and musicians over the years with his competent and dedicated playing. Also, if that’s not enough, has now started to gain a huge reputation as a serious guitar builder! Just take a look at his site to find out more about powell guitars. Ruth remains to be one of the most exceptional female vocalists in the UK. Her interpretation of the material they choose leaves no one in doubt of her abilities as a singer and seems to be, dare we say “improving with age”.

 http://fugapowell.co.uk/

SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2013

TOM McCONVILLE and DAVID NEWEY

Legendary Geordie Singer Fiddle Player and Great Singer Songwriter Guitarist

 Tom McConville, primarily known as The Newcastle Fiddle Player,is one of the leading fiddle players of our time. A virtuoso musician and fantastic singer, his rich and warm voice makes his interpretation of traditional and contemporary songs greatly admired by singers throughout the world.
     In great demand as a performer, session musician and teacher, playing the fiddle is his lifelong passion and he has achieved every player’s dream of creating his own unique, instantly recognizable sound.

SATURDAY 19 JANUARY 2013

BERNARD WRIGLEY

"The Bolton Bullfrog"

http://bernardwrigley.com/

From starting in folk clubs as a child bride, and then writing & performing at the Octagon theatre in Bolton, the career has alway combined singing and acting. From TV programmes and films such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Phoenix Nights, Dinnerladies, Alan Bennett films, Brassed Off, My Son The Fanatic & Steve Coogan’s Coogan’s Run, to the many radio plays and programmes presented or guested upon, there has throughout been a steady stream of LPs and CDs - eighteen to date, the early ones all now remastered to CD.

Fake Thackray

JOHN WATTERSON aka "FAKE THACKRAY"

http://www.fakethackray.com
 
"John Watterson brilliantly captured the imagination of the audience and transports them to a more irreverent age with his uncanny

interpretations of both the humour and pathos in the songs of Jake Thackray. A startling insight." - Don Davies, Sale Folk Club.

Thanks for a great Concert experience. We have had excellent feed back such as "My jaws ached with laughing non-stop" " He's a great guitar player."