This years Village Pump Folk Festival line-up which takes place across four stages at the White Horse Country Park, Westbury from 24th to 26th July looks set to be another great year after patrons, Steve Knightley & Phil Beer of Show of Hands, revealed the headline acts for this year as well as an inspired move on their own part to record a live album at the festival which fans can be a part of.
West Country favourites Show of Hands have long been championed as a live band with one of the most active fan-bases on the English folk circuit. Their decision to record a limited edition album will no doubt attract many of their fans to this year’s Village Pump stage where they can be part of the action as Steve Knightley explained “Festival goers will be given the opportunity to be named as ‘backing singers’ on a one-off live recording of that night’s performance. This CD will only be available to those who attend and will be limited to 1000 copies.”
There will be no shortage of lively action either as festival favourites Oysterband share stages with Edward II who’ll be laying down their own brand of English folk / reggae and Scotlands giants the Treacherous Orchestra will be creating merry mayhem.
Add to this…
– False Lights – the new project/band from Jim Moray and Sam Carter who have just released their debut album Salvor
– Plymouth’s Mad Dog McRea who release their long awaited follow-up album Almost Home in March
– Roving Crows as well as Sam Green & The Midnight Heist
– Australian acapella group The Spooky Men’s Chorale, back once again by popular demand!
and you’ve got the ingredients for an all-out party:
Alongside those bands mentioned above other names appearing include legendary figures of the UK Folk scene Martin Carthy MBE & Dave Swarbrick who will be marking their 50th anniversary of performing together this year. Barbara Dickson OBE with Rab Noakes, alongside the exciting young Welsh band Calan.
The Village Pump Folk Festival is also delighted to be hosting a rare gig by a new band called The Broonzies whose alumni include North-eastern singer-songwriter Jez Lowe alongside Chris Parkinson, Maggie Holland, and Rod Clements (formerly of Lindisfarne).
Festival director John Alderslade said :-
“Our promise to people attending the Village Pump Folk Festival is that they will get to experience, across our four stages, the very best in folk, roots and acoustic music in the United Kingdom. This year we have a hand-picked roster of terrific talent that will delight and entertain you whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or a novice taking the plunge for the first time, a nu-folk obsessed teenager or a family looking for entertainment for all. I and the rest of the volunteer team can’t wait to welcome you to the White Horse Country Park, Westbury from 24th July and to be part of the biggest backing band ever assembled for Show of Hands!”
For the full line-up and ticket details visit: fo.villagepump.co.uk