Organisers are predicting the best year yet when the Village Pump Folk Festival returns to The White Horse Country Park in Westbury on 24th – 26th July.
“There is great buzz around the Pump Festival,” said Clive Woodland from the Village Pump team. “The folk and roots music world is quite small, all the main performers know one another and our reputation means that we are able to get the best performers.”
Although, the Strawbs have had to pull out because of an accident to Dave Cousins (see story, page 14), there is still a fabulous line-up with top names from the world of folk music.
Acts include Barbara Dickson, star of West End theatre, television and multiple hit records, False Lights, Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick, Cardboard Fox, Mad Dog Mcrea, Jackie and Felix Byrne and Show of Hands.
“The festival is run entirely by unpaid volunteers, with no big-name corporate sponsors,” continued Clive Woodland. “Many of the audience have been coming for years but the festival’s friendly vibe means that first-time visitors feel equally welcome.
“We ask for opinions and have introduced some changes and improvements this year. One of our two main stages will be entirely seated and the other will be a standing venue, where the acts create a party atmosphere. We’ll still have the Club Tent for local performers and open mics, plus a sessions tent. Unlike many festivals, all our stages are under cover.
“We’re excited about the wider variety of food stalls than in previous years, though the best of the old ones will be there. We’ve gone for local traders and craftspeople wherever possible to showcase the best of the west. Look out for Wiltshire Spinners and Weavers, The Hardboard Guitar Company and White Horse Pottery, among lots of others. The Steeple Ashton Village Shop will be on-site to provide campers with all the necessary supplies.
“We’re bringing the children’s and family tent into the main arena this year to add to the festival atmosphere. There’s a fun-packed family programme with games, family ceilidhs, clowns and other entertainers.
“We’re really pleased that Megson, a duo who will perform on one of the main stages and who have young children of their own, will also be bringing their family show, an infectious mix of heavenly vocals and harmonies, to children’s folk songs, with lots of joining in!”
Here are some acts to look out for:
• False Lights: The word is that they are re-inventing folk rock. They play loud folk music and are more influenced by Radiohead than Steeleye Span!
• Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick are pioneers from the folk revival of the early 60s. At that time they were re-writing the rules for how folk songs should be sung and played. They continue to influence the singing and playing styles of many folkies.
• The Spooky Men’s Chorale; unaccompanied male voice choir from Australia that combines superb harmonies with hilarious, often surreal, interpretations of well-known pop songs and original material. They really have to be seen and heard to be believed.
• Barbara Dickson; Star of West End theatre, television and hit records, Barbara’s career began in the Scottish folk clubs and she has now returned to her roots.
• Cardboard Fox – new young band that includes The Carrivick Sisters who will be playing a set in their own right. Guitars, fiddle, upright bass and drums create a modern bluegrass feel.
• Mad Dog Mcrea: A wild party band, they played at one of the Pump’s late night shows a couple of years ago and nearly brought the house down!
• Jackie and Felix Byrne from Holt have played on the Club Stage several times but have been promoted to one of the main stages. An interesting point for guitar freaks; Felix makes his own instruments – from hardboard!
• Show of Hands: Steve Knightley is one of the best songwriters in Britain, combining aspects of traditional folk with bang-up-to-date themes, while Phil Beer’s great guitar and fiddle playing and Miranda Sykes on double bass make them the Pump’s favourite band of recent years.
Uniquely, they will be recording their Saturday night concert at the Pump for a CD only available to those attending. And, as Clive Woodland says, “We will have our names on the cover as backing singers!”
For ticket information go to www.villagepumpfolkfestival.co.uk
The Village Pump Folk Festival runs from late afternoon on Friday 24th July until midnight on Sunday 26th July. Weekend tickets at tier 3 prices as well as day and evening tickets are available in advance from www.villagepumpfolkfestival.co.uk Connect with the Village Pump Folk Festival story online via www.facebook.com/villagepumpfest or @vpumpfolkfest or via the blog page www.villagepumpfolkfestival.co.uk/blog
