Sunday's Artists

Martin Simpson and Friends

MAIN STAGE

Having recently released what may be his finest album to date, Martin Simpson is in great form. He gave us a real treat last year when he played a tiny, intimate folk club gig as part of our festival - this year he's not only headlining the main stage, he's bringing his mates with him!

Martin Simpson and Friends is a special event created for Loughborough Folk Festival. Martin will be joined on stage by some of his (and your) favourite musicians, to create a concert you'll be talking about for years to come. We'll tell you more soon!

The Writing on the Wall

MAIN STAGE

Winner of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Live Act in 2001, Roy Bailey and Tony Benn's show "The Writing On The Wall" is a sell-out success wherever it goes. An alternative view of how we got where we are today and where we could be going next, Roy and Tony give us a history of dissent in words and song, drawing on the stories of the people they don't teach us about in schools. A hugely entertaining, and inspiring, show.

Eliza Carthy and the 3/2 Five

MAIN STAGE

A brand spanking new collaboration debuting at Loughborough Folk Festival! Eliza Carthy is joined by some of the most exciting young talents around - Waterson Carthy's Saul Rose, Park Bench Social Club's Aidan Curran and Glorystrokes' Tom Wright - for a fresh feast of music and song. Why the intriguing name? The 3/2 bit apparently comes from their love of playing tunes in 3/2 time. But no one really knows where the five comes from, as at the last count there were only four of them. All may (or may not) be revealed on the night.

Crucible

MAIN STAGE

A dynamic English folk ensemble, Crucible marry driving and infectious instrumental music with richly layered harmony song and subtle accompaniments. Their music combines the deepest roots of their native tradition with a fresh and contemporary edge to produce performances sparking with raw energy. The band is comprised of some of the best known faces on the Sheffield folk scene: Gavin Davenport (vocals, guitar, cittern), Richard Arrowsmith (vocals, melodeon, anglo concertina), Helena Reynolds (vocals, fiddles, bagpipes) and Jess Arrowsmith (vocals, fiddle).

America Over the Water

VICTORIA ROOM

In 1959, Shirley Collins joined famed musicologist Alan Lomax on a year-long journey through the musical heartland of the Southern States of America. During this field trip they recorded the music of religious communities, social gatherings, prisons and chain gangs, and discovered the legendary bluesman Mississippi Fred McDowell. These original recordings were featured in the Coen brothers’ film "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou".

America Over The Water, like Shirley's book of the same name, recounts this journey. It includes many of the seminal recordings made on the trip, plus readings by Shirley and by actor Pip Barnes, and original images of the singers themselves. Come and be immersed in the extraordinary culture and music Shirley experienced firsthand almost 50 years ago.

Shona Kipling and Damien O'Kane

MAIN STAGE

An extremely gifted pairing, this instrumental and vocal duo play an array of traditional and self-penned tunes and songs originating and influenced mainly from the Irish tradition. Shona is one of the leading piano accordionists in the country and a student on the Newcastle University Folk Music Degree course; Damien is an outstanding tenor banjo player and guitarist as well as being hailed ‘one of the finest singers around’ by none other than Bellowhead’s Jon Boden. Together, they make a sound which is exhilirating, passionate, skilful and unique.

Maggie Holland

VICTORIA ROOM

Maggie Holland is one of the most inspiring singer/songwriters in Britain today. Her songs have been covered by the estimable likes of June Tabor and Martin Carthy, while the BBC Folk Award-winning "A Place Called England" has become emblematic in the movement to reclaim a positive sense of English identity.

Powerful, moving and timely, Maggie Holland's renditions of her own songs, as well as those from noted songwriters like Robb Johnson, Billy Bragg and Leon Rosselson, attract both popular and critical acclaim.

"The proof that outstanding contemporary songs are still being written...” Colin Irwin, fRoots

The Devil's Interval

MAIN STAGE

The Devil's Interval combines the individual vocal talents of Lauren McCormick, Jim Causley and Emily Portman.The English song tradition so strongly expressed in their solo work is also present in their group repertoire which ranges from sumptuous tales of heartbreak to gorey murder ballads to the downright dirty! Though young and rather gorgeous, they are already seasoned performers, having appeared at many major festivals, toured and recorded with Waterson:Carthy, and received loads of radio airplay.

The Young Coppers

VICTORIA ROOM

The Young Coppers are part of a family of harmony singers from Rottingdean, Sussex. They are Bob Copper's six grandchildren: Mark, Andy and Sean Barratt and Ben, Lucy and Tom Copper. The Copper family has long been an integral part of the English folk scene - the songs of Tom and James (Brasser) Copper were first collected by Mrs Kate Lee in 1898. Determined that the tradition should never die, The Young Coppers have now picked up the family mantle, thus making seven consecutive generations of Coppers to sing the family songs. Their robust and energetic performances are bringing this incredible legacy to a whole new generation of folk audiences.

Wistman's Wood

VICTORIA ROOM

Wistman's Wood are an exciting new trio featuring three of Devon's finest traditional musicians. Steve Turner's exquisite accordion style, Jackie Oates's lyrical violin playing and vocals and Andy Clarke's assured guitar and bouzouki playing and vocals combine to produce a very English sound which is at times understated and tranquil, at times inventive, bold and dynamic. They draw much of their material from the British song tradition, complemented by new and original instrumental compositions.

Taffy Thomas and Sandra Kerr: Spring into summer

VICTORIA ROOM

Seasonal stories and songs from legendary storyteller Taffy Thomas and singer and musician Sandra Kerr.

With his magnetic presence and endless supply of captivating stories, Taffy is a joy. Sandra - loved by many as the voice of Madeline the Ragdoll in Bagpuss - will accompany him with music and songs just right for the turning of the seasons. A wonderful way to start your Sunday!

Ceilidh: Tickled Pink

CALLER: FEE LOCK
VICTORIA ROOM

With appearances at almost every major festival in the UK, the Tickled Pink boys have continued to thrill and amaze audiences around the country with their unique style of English Dance music.
Featuring the combined talents of Simon Care (ex-Edward II), Mark Hutchinson (Rainbow Chasers), Guy Fletcher (Little Johnny England), Rob Kay (ex– Bad Penny), Trevor Landen (Special Branch), Gerald Claridge (ex– Ratliffe Stout band) and Mark Jolley (Life of Riley), Tickled Pink will finish the festival in style.

Plus....Loughborough Traditions

Click the link at the top left of the page for more details of Sunday's programme.