Beverley Festival launches into its second quarter century with new vigour and an exciting programme of events
19th-21st June 2009
Beverley Festival will be bringing a new and exciting programme of events to its weekend this year as it re-launches into its second quarter century. Its usual innovative line up of musicians this year includes one of this countries finest and most popular songwriters, Billy Bragg; Celtic dance icons The Peatbog Faeries; the legendary Irish acoustic band Lunasa; and expat Scot Eric Bogle with John Munro. From the USA comes the King of Old Time Fiddle playing Bruce Molsky, Bluegrass and Bob Dylan aficionado, Sid Griffin & The Coal Porters, Blues and Gospel maestro Spencer Bohren, and fellow countryman New York City's angriest yodelling banjo player Curtis Eller! They will all be participating in this year’s special Americana mini-fest over the weekend. From closer to home comes The Demon Barber Roadshow, nominated as Best Live Act in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2009. The show combines music, dance and song and features some of this countries finest young exponents of English traditional dance - morris, clog and rapping. The festival also welcomes some of the leading young female performers on the scene today including The Anna Massie Band from Scotland and Belinda O’Hooley & Heidi Tidow. In addition, many other great artists will be joining them and heading to the historic market town of Beverley this June to make the festival a must for all music lovers.
With the “Festival Village” becoming increasingly popular as a green field location adjacent to the campsite and main concert venue, and with demands to expand the number of events within it, this year sees the arrival of a new Alternative Marquee which will include a top programme of comedy and the spoken word as well as hosting acoustic sessions .
In addition to the new marquee the Family and Youth events will see a greater expansion and the festival favourite Wold Top Marquee will be back again to host the Late Night Festival Club and concerts and featuring our popular local Wold Top Festival Ale .
For anyone wanting a GREAT weekend away — look no further, come and relax in the shadow of Beverley’s historic Minster and sample some first rate music and fine ales straight off the Yorkshire Wolds!
For further details or to book online visit the Beverley Festival Website here or contact our Festival Hotline on 01377 217569
ANOTHER Folk Festival act wins BBC Radio 2 award !!!
Beverley Folk Festival really seem to pick them! The Demon Barber Roadshow due to appear at this year’s festival have won the Best Live Act award at the 2009 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards this week.
Damien Barber and his band from Leeds (The Demon Barbers) are well known throughout the country for performing traditional folk music but with an exciting twist. By mixing bass guitar, drums, violin, melodeon, accordion, concertina, clog dancing, rapping and Morris dancing they create a sound with hints of drum and base and Ska, and deliver a show that leaves their audiences spellbound.
“The Demon Barbers are one of the best live bands I've ever seen. If you get a chance to see them - don't miss it - they are brilliant' ”
Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2
Chris Wade, The Festival’s Artistic Director said “We are thrilled to hear the news especially after the success of two of our 2008 acts who also won at the Folk Awards - Martin Simpson and Rachel Unthank & The Winterset.”
She added “We expect an even bigger demand for weekend tickets after the news of the Demon Barbers success. Billy Bragg is already selling fast and is well on the way to being a sell out. We are very excited about this year’s festival, particularly our Americana theme, with artists appearing from the USA, including Beverley favourite, Old Time Fiddler Bruce Molsky, Blues and Gospel singer, Spencer Bohran, and New York singer and banjo player, Curtis Eller. As a bonus, with our expanded tented Festival Village this year, there will be extra events for everyone. These are to be announced shortly”.
The Demon Barbers perform Traditional English folk music, song and dance but with an exciting twist.
If anybody comes to see the Demons with a preconceived stereotype of what folk music is, just minutes in the company of this dynamic and high energy band will dispel those myths forever.
The Demon Barbers is no ordinary group - if there was ever a folk rulebook, they threw it away years ago. They combine a bass guitar and drums with a violin, melodeon, accordion and an English concertina with their own unique take on traditional English folk songs.
Add to the mix two talented clog dancers, a rapper and Morris Dancers and you've got a show that will leave you spellbound.
2009 promises to be a great year for the band as they have been Nominated for Best Live Act at this years Radio 2 Folk Awards so use this opportunity to say you have seen them!!
Youthful, enthralling, charismatic, and with bags of attitude, The Demon Barbers combine solid traditional acoustic instruments and songs with the added oomph of a superbly tight rhythm section, making a unique and captivating sound. Energetic fiddle and passionate, distinctive vocals ‘with driven punchy tunes and songs, drum ‘n’ bass grooves, the odd touch of ska and an ever present feel that this lot know how to party’ result in ‘one of the most exciting acts around… check them out....’ fRoots
Other acts appearing include: The Peatbog Faeries; Eric Bogle and John Munro; The Anna Massie Band; Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow; Farino
The festival takes place this year on 19th – 21st June |
