The Proclaimers, Richard Thompson, Beth Orton and Big Country are among the acts headlining the 54th Towersey Festival (24-27 August 2018, Thame, Oxfordshire).
Joining them at one of the UK’s longest-running festivals are Fishermen’s Friends, the Sharon Shannon Band and Daphne’s Flight.
It’s been 31 years since Scottish twins Charlie and Craig Reid, aka The Proclaimers, came to widespread public attention. Calling on folk, country, rock’n’roll and punk, the brothers have built up an impressive back catalogue, with such hits as I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), Letter From America, King Of The Road, and more. They’ve even inspired a musical, the play and film Sunshine On Leith.
Richard Thompson is no stranger to Towersey, having last appeared at the festival solo/ acoustic back in 2015. For his latest appearance, the Fairport Convention co-founder brings his acclaimed Electric Trio.
Singer-songwriter Beth Orton’s enticing mix of acoustic and electronic elements have won her huge acclaim. Her 1999 record Central Reservation picked up the BRIT Award for Best Album, and her recent releases, Sugaring Season and Kidsticks, continue to beguile.
Celtic rock band Big Country’s hits include Field Of Fire (400 Miles), In A Big Country and Wonderland. The Live Aid veterans visit Towersey to perform their acoustic set.
Other notable acts on the bill include award-winning Irish accordion player Sharon Shannon; Cornwall’s chart-busting eight-piece Fisherman’s Friends, who are credited with kick-starting a revival in shanty-style choral singing; singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph; and a reunited Daphne’s Flight, featuring five of the most acclaimed female singer-songwriters from their generation (Helen Watson, Melanie Harrold, Julie Matthews, Chris While and Christine Collister).
They’ll be playing alongside 10 times winners of the National Brass Band Champions of Great Britain, the Brighouse and Rastrick Band; rising Americana/ roots trio Wildwood Kin; a collaboration between Peter Knight (Steeleye Span) and John Spiers (Bellowhead); and Whetstone Brinsford Kirkpatrick, recreating Dave Whetstone’s landmark mid-90s folk album The Resolution for an exclusive Towersey appearance.
Towersey Festival Director Joe Heap said: “We’ve got a great mix of big names making their Towersey debuts this year as well as some real returning favourites, such as Richard Thompson. We’re especially pleased to welcome The Proclaimers for the first time – they always put on a great show and have so many fabulous songs.”
But as Joe states, one final piece of the jigsaw puzzle is yet to be revealed: “There is one more incredible headline act to announce for August Bank Holiday Monday. We’ve just confirmed and will be announcing officially very soon – so keep an eye out for some exciting news …”
Situated in easy reach of London and Birmingham, on the Oxfordshire/ Buckinghamshire border, and established in 1965, Towersey is one of the UK’s longest continuously running independent music festivals. Boasting 11 venues, alongside an extensive music programme the festival also features 24hrs of ceilidh, daily workshops, a well-stocked bar, street food, spoken word, film screenings, events and activities for children and younger festival-goers, and more.
Tickets for Towersey Festival, which runs from Friday 24 to Monday 27 August 2018 at Thame Showground in Oxfordshire, are available now (Tier 2) from £119 (adult), £115 (conc), £84 (youth), £59 (child). For further information, and to book, see: www.towerseyfestival.com
DAY BY DAY LISTINGS (key acts only):
FRIDAY 24 AUGUST 2018
Richard Thompson Electric Trio
Sharon Shannon Band
Wildwood Kin
Faustus
Whetstone Brinsford Kirkpatrick (Exclusive Towersey appearance)
SATURDAY 25 AUGUST 2018
The Proclaimers
Big Country (Acoustic)
Daphne’s Flight
Martin Simpson
William The Conqueror
Tickled Pink
SUNDAY 26 AUGUST 2018
Beth Orton
Fisherman’s Friends
Martyn Joseph
Blair Dunlop
Brighouse and Rastrick Band
The Rheingans Sisters
MONDAY 27 AUGUST 2018
[Headline Act To Be Announced]
Blackbeard’s Tea Party (Festival Finale)
Roy Bailey
Peter Knight and John Spiers
Blowzabella
Lady Maisery
DAILY
All About Children (activities for ages 5-11 year olds)
Workshops
Youth programme (12-18yrs)
Sessions
Ceilidh & Dance
The Folk Club
Street Theatre
Storytelling and Spoken Word
Film Screenings
Real Ale Bar
Street Food
Market Stalls
For full-line up of all acts, see festival website: www.towerseyfestival.com