ARTISTS 2016
JACKIE OATES
Sunday 13.30 Thistle Main Stage
BBC Folk Award winning Jackie Oates needs no introduction. She’s has been a on the UK folk scene for a very long time (especially considering she’s still young!). Jackie sings traditional English music and has sung with folk supergroup The Imagined Village. At Folk on the Quay she will be joined by her own band.
COCO & THE BUTTERFIELDS
Saturday night 20.00 Thistle Main Stage
Colourful, energetic & crowd-stamping, CoCo and the Butterfields express all the fun and vibrance of a village folk fair, throwing in powerful vocals and a beatbox to deliver catchy songs resonating in a stadium-filling pop and urban rap vibe.
THREEPENNY BIT
Sunday afternoon
Threepenny Bit play twice for Folk On The Quay: one as a ceilidh (17.00 at Thistle Garden Stage) , one a gig. Hampshire-based Threepenny Bit are an example of how traditional dance tunes and contemporary sounds can be blended into a fresh interpretation of folk music. This dynamic eight-piece band combines a group of diehard folkies with some of the finest young jazz and classical musicians of the south. They play bold arrangements of traditional and original tunes with infectious stage energy for concerts and ceilidh dancing.
PHIL KING BAND
Saturday afternoon
Phil is among the finest songwriting performers we have seen. He has 2 albums under his belt (not literally) “They Come and They Go” from 2009 and “Leaves” from 2006. Both received some fantastic press, regional and national. He has performed all over the UK, at festivals and fayres, in pubs, clubs and bars, on bandstands and boats. He performs regularly in Paris and has also played in Zurich, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen and New York. Phil has had his music played on many local radio stations and also by Bob Harris, Steve Lamacq and Alex Lester on BBC Radio 2. He works regularly composing music for Theatre, Dance, TV and film.
YOUTUBE
EMMA SWEENEY
Sunday afternoon
We are honoured to welcome a musician of Emma’s quality to Folk On The Quay.
Emma is a Songlines Award nominated fiddler whose roving debut album Pangea has confirmed her status as one of folk music’s rising stars. Emma’s unique style combines her trad Irish background with a fusion of world influences, drawing upon her experience of teaching music in India, and touring across Europe. Emma has played alongside a whole raft of traditional musicians, including Mike McGoldrick, John Doyle and Mick O’Brien. She has also recently supported Paul Weller in a guest appearance with The Rails. In a review of one of her live shows, Songlines said that “Emma’s control of the fiddle was enviable, and it really seemed an extension of her arm as she played through speedy, intricate phrases and slides with gentle ease”.
LOCKS
Saturday afternoon
Locks is a young singer-songwriter who is emerging as one of the featured artists with ECC Records. She is a musical oddity who is currently collecting cogs for a machine. A machine consisting musicians, photographers, artists, fashion designers and more…Locks is a singer based in London (via many other cities). She writes short, jaunty songs about the macabre and has released two albums: Pieces of Soul and Hello, Macabre, Locks is currently working on a new EP. Four & Last of the Wilds were both featured on Steve Lamacqs’ BBC6 show.
‘[Pieces of Soul] is one of the most sensational recordings I have heard for a long time’
-Live Music Scene.
Ed & Ollie Goodale
Ed Goodale is a singer/songwriter who is rapidly establishing himself on the acoustic/roots scene. Ed lives in a parallel world just to the side of ours with a gift that provides acute observation and interpretation of life that transfers into poetic, thought provoking lyrics and highly mature song crafting that connect with his audience. Despite his young age, Ed has played extensively at gigs and festivals throughout the UK and Europe and his lively set with brother Ollie on percussion draws a crowd to every stage he plays.
MARTHA TILSTON
Saturday 13.30 Thistle Main Stage
With a voice like spider-webbed hollows and lyrics that inspire and captivate, Martha Tilston has developed a successful musical career with a large and loyal following worldwide.
JESS MORGAN TRIO
Saturday afternoon –
A massively popular booking for Folk On The Quay, Jess has been making a noise in the UK and further afield with a string of albums comprised of acutely observed, beautifully delivered country-folk ballads; song about travel, about people, about history, about love ..
RONY TRIO
Sunday afternoon
Rony Trio are a soulful Funk ‘n’ Folk band, forged in fiery groove and bass lines. With an open flow of emotions at their core, they’re set to take you on a melodic journey that blends new hooks with old stories to talk about what makes us all human. Rony tells his tales with rare candor, blending in new technologies to support his chronicles of angst and hopes.
YOUTUBE
JONNY PHILLIPS
Sunday 12 noon
With surf acoustic vibes that heal the soul and cleanse your brow of those worries, Jonny Phillips is a delight to behold. Incorporating clever guitar rhythms with his haunting yet soulful voice, he creates songs about life, love and experience with which we can all connect. Having recently supported the likes of Martha Tilston and 3 Daft Monkeys, Jonny is branching out to larger and larger audiences, slowly introducing the world to the inner workings of his mind…
MEAGHAN BLANCHARD
Sunday afternoon
Meaghan Blanchard is a singer songwriter from Canada, is an acclaimed multiple award winning artist. She is a gifted guitarist with her own blend of light claw hammer/finger picking style; paired with a crystal pure voice and a unique ability to write and tell stories through charming character driven songs. Meaghan is also one third of the group The Eastern Belles (with Catherine MacLellan and Ashley Condon). She took home her second East Coast Music Award for her third album “She’s Gonna Fly”; a project recorded down in Athens, Georgia USA with esteemed producer John Keane. In 2015, the “Meaghan Blanchard Song Writing Camp for Girls” was inaugurated in Charlottetown, PEI; a two day camp created and hosted by Meaghan with a focus on co-writing; providing support for young women from her home province who are interested in song writing and in careers within the music industry.
DUOTONE
Saturday afternoon
Duotone is the alias of songwriter Barney Morse-Brown, cellist with multi-platinum artist Birdy and BBC Folk Award winners the Imagined Village, Chris Wood, Eliza Carthy and Jackie Oates. Duotone has delivered two ‘5 star’ albums and has a long list of captivating festival appearances to his name, among them ‘End of the Road’ and ‘Green Man’. With his mesmerising solo performances, which move seamlessly between riotous energy and heartfelt intimacy, it is easy to see why Duotone has a rapidly growing fan base.
Let’s Get Low was released on Garrett Brown Music in spring 2015. Let’s Get Low was recorded and produced by Richard Evans (Peter Gabriel, Birdy) and features a stellar line up of guest musicians including Ged Lynch (Black Grape, Goldfrapp) on drums, David Rhodes (Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush) on guitar and long-term collaborator Jane Griffiths on violin.
CATHERINE BURKE BAND
Sunday afternoon
Catherine plays guitar and writes light-hearted songs. Her lyrics are open and honest
but generally written with a twist of humour thrown in. She is heavily influenced by
her love of bluegrass and American music – althought there are influences from all
around the world.
SULTANS OF STRING
Sunday 15.15 Thistle Main Stage
Juno award winners from Canada! Acoustic strings meet with electronic wizardry to create layers and depth of sound, while world rhythms excite audiences to their feet with the irresistible need to dance.
SOLANA
Sunday afternoon
Solana are an instrumental gypsy-folk band. Hailing from all corners of Europe, their style reflects the diversity of their backgrounds and interests: their sound encompasses folk, swing, klezmer, flamenco, latin, reggae and trip-hop.
URBAN FOLK THEORY – ceilidh
Saturday afternoon ceilidh 16.30 –
Urban Folk Theory have been emerging into the folk world since 2011 with a new approach to Folk and ceilidh; where excellent folk musicianship meets technology, sweeping you into the next generation of full tilt late night concert or dance extravaganzas. We are aimed at attracting the younger audience back into the world of Folk and Ceilidh with our contemporary dance beats, bass lines, pads and sounds that are mixed with a “Ministry of Sound” club feel, with a fusion of the grooviest folk tunes and songs we can find…perfect to get the party started!
AIDAN & the WILDFIRES
Saturday afternoon
We first meet Aidan & the Wildfires when they won Purbeck Rising in 2015. Since joining forces as a full band in early 2015, ‘Aidan and the Wildfires’ already have a residency at the legendary Troubadour in London, have been championed on FM radio by BBC Introducing and are building a great following due to their distinctive sound and energetic live shows!
KRABAT – medieval music from Sweden
Sunday afternoon
Krabat is one of the frequently touring bands in Sweden’s progressive medieval music scene – a folk music culture based on medieval tunes mixed with modern influences. All three members are singers, and use various early and folk instruments, including key fiddle, mandola, davul drum and flutes, to play pre-existing medieval and folk melodies in new, modern-inspired arrangements. Krabat has been touring various medieval festivals and events in the Nordic countries for six years and are now for the first time in the UK. Their latest album “Som om inget hade hänt” (As if nothing had happened) was released in 2015, and will be sold during the tour.
Klara Dahlberg – vocals, key fiddle; Greta Nilén – vocals, percussion; Alexis Lundblom – vocals, mandola, flutes, shawm
TORI REED
Saturday afternoon
Tori’s music goes from finger picking folk, through to jazz influenced beats, a dusting of country and vocals that could be soul. It’s music that will touch hearts, tap toes and leave you wanting more. Born in New Zealand, raised in Australia, and having done a lot of travel, Tori has difficulty naming one place home. In December 2013, Tori released her first album “Long Nights, Flightless Birds and Coming Home” in Queenstown and quickly took the tracks to the UK on tour. Stay tuned for the next CD, recorded in the UK, and proposed to come out early 2016.
Tori has had the fortune of sharing a stage with the legendary Martin Carthy. Through extensive travelling, her experience is wide and crosses many genres and she has had the fortune to entertain and share stories with musicians and audiences from all over the world. With her unique style and endearing arrangements, Tori is well suited to intimate crowds and caring environments. Every song is aimed at touching the hearts and minds of those listening.
QUINNS QUINNEY
Saturday afternoon
The ploughman’s lunch of the UK music scene. More skiffle than you can shake a stick at!
ROSIE DOONAN and BEN MURRAY.
Saturday 15.00 Thistle Main Stage
Some years ago, Rosie and Ben made waves as an outstanding young duo. Since then, they have carved musical careers – Rosie as vocalist with Peter Gabriel, and Ben with Celtic stars Tarras. Welcome them back as a reunited duo.
GOAT ROPER RODEO
Saturday afternoon
A lively young trio playing Americana with firepower. Tom – Double Bass/Vocals; Jim – Lead Guitar/Vocals; Sam – Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
NAOMI BEDFORD & PAUL SIMMONDS
Saturday 12 noon Thistle Main Stage
Naomi, an English roots singer from Brighton, has teamed up with Paul Simmongds, guitarist with The Men They Couldn’t Hang. Naomi’s official debut album, ‘Tales From the Weeping Willow’ eschewed the dance/trance sound and signalled a return to her main passion of folk and country styles. Featuring guest contributions from the likes of Paul Heaton, Justin Currie, Alasdair Roberts and Paul Simmonds, it was released in 2011 to an overwhelmingly positive reaction and was described by Andy Gill of the Independent as ‘both brilliant and original in equal parts’.
YOUTUBE – this song was nominated for Best Original Song at BBC Folk Awards 2015.
KADIA
Sunday 12 noon Thistle Main Stage
Kadia perform a mixture of traditional folk music, Irish session tunes, original material and contemporary covers along with the occasional joke, multiple stories and general chatter during their shows. Kadia have made a name for themselves locally for their creative arrangements of traditional music also gaining plaudits for their unique takes on more modern contemporary music. The band are growing in stature and are now beginning to build a following outside of Dorset with the goal now being to increase footprint across the UK. Kadia’s debut album, East of Alexandria has made it on to the Telegraph’s 2015 Folk Album of the Year list with tracks heard on various local BBC radio stations and the band have been invited to attend many private events and nationally recognised festivals.
MARY SPENDER
Saturday afternoon
Mary is a blues singer/songwriter based in Bristol. She has toured the UK and US over the past few years, with recent highlights of supporting Gabrielle Aplin and Ian McCulloch, as well as performing at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Releasing a track a month on Soundcloud every month for a year, Mary will release her debut album in October 2016.
Press reviews about Mary:
- she has a ‘pithy guitar style and soulful husky notes are at forefront of all her recorded output…’ ‘a genuine pleasure which shows off her talent and progression’.
- ‘Take the attitude of Janis Joplin, the soul of Joni Mitchell, combine them together in the 21st Century indie-loving Bristol and there you have it – the enigma that is – Mary Spender…’;
THIRSTYMAN
Saturday afternoon
Thirstyman are a Dorset 5-piece, write and perform songs featuring an array of instruments, among them violin, pedal-steel, Irish bouzouki and banjo, topped off with tight four part harmonies.
Their songs range from haunting ballads to psychedelic dance tunes. Not to be pigeon-holed, Thirstyman guarantee fun and memorable melodies. Be prepared for audience participation too!