Local acts to top off best Pump Festival yet

With less than a month to go, it looks as though The Village Pump Folk Festival over the weekend of 24th – 26th July, is going to be the best yet, say the organisers. 

Ticket sales are higher at this stage than in any year since the festival moved to the White Horse Country Park in Westbury.

The Pump Festival has always provided a great opportunity to see well known acts but also to find new favourites. The organisers have been taking a look at some of the great talents based in the area.

As usual at the Festival there will be a Club Stage where acts from local folk clubs will perform in an intimate setting, but with fully professional lighting and sound.

Here look out for Mike Scott from Freshford with his self-composed quirky songs, and  the beautiful singing of Holt-based Jackie and Felix Byrne.  Take a close look at Felix’s guitar.  He made it himself out of hardboard!  And while on the subject of guitars,  Andrew Bazely from Bradford  on Avon, the original Biss Delta bluesman, might have one of his special 1918 resonator instruments.

A special concert on the Sunday evening will feature three singer-songwriters from Westbury.  Leander Morales  is known for his original songs and upbeat stage presence.  He has supported leading performers such as Cara Dillon and Richie Havens.  Someone who believes that the town is unfairly underrated, last year he played shows in Westbury, New York and Westbury, Wiltshire in the same day.

Phil Cooper  has earned excellent reviews, drawing comparisons to Neil Finn, Glenn Tilbrook and Ben Folds.  During his live shows, he makes a real connection with the crowd, often starting and finishing the shows entirely unplugged.

Kirsty Clinch is another one to capture your attention and to look out for.  Her songs are based on her own life and experiences and she has recently supported ‘The Voice’s’ De’Vide and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’s’  Alex Keirl.

Originally from Devon, but now based locally, are The Carrivick Sisters.  Twins Laura and Charlotte perform their original songs and instrumentals along with a few carefully chosen covers on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, and clawhammer banjo.  Described  by The Telegraph as ‘the pick of the crop’ they will also be appearing as members of the band Cardboard Fox.

Other hot tips: Gaz Brookfield a solo acoustic musician based in Bristol has shared the stage with the likes of The Levellers, Frank Turner and  Newton Faulkner, racking up over 1000 gigs to date.

Devon’s Sam Green and The Midnight Heist – their music is melodic and uplifting one minute but can shift into a wild whirlwind of finger pickin’ lap slide blues, foot stompin’ beats and howling harmonicas.

With an array of stars from the folk and roots music world, as well as up and coming acts from all over the country, and improved food and craft stalls, there should be something for everyone throughout the weekend.

See the website for more information and links to all the acts. www.villagepumpfolkfestival.co.uk.