www.StratfordRiverFestival.co.uk
2015 Stratford River Festival Performers:
Amicantus http://www.amicantus.com
Having had a great time at last year's River Festival we were proud as punch to be able to perform again for the crowds of visitors.
Becky and the Dove http://www.beckiandthedove.co.uk
Becki and the Dove are a lively, experienced professional duo specialising as a hugely entertaining Pop/Rock covers band, playing all the best music from up to the minute chart hits to the laid back rock classics. If you're looking for an energetic, fun, professional band look no further!
Floot Street http://www.flootstreet.co.uk
Ewan, Karen and Dan were thrown together at a pub garden session in Warwick at the 2013 folk festival. They managed to find a wealth of tunes in common and have been playing together ever since as Floot Street, delighting audiences with beautiful traditional music from all over Britain and beyond, performing imaginative arrangements and displaying stunning musicianship.
Escape Showcase http://www.escapearts.org.uk
Making a return visit to the Acoustic Stage this year will be some of the very best young talent the town has to offer - all supported by the wonderful people at Escape!
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Escape works with a team of professional artists who provide an innovative and varied programme of hands on activities designed to be accessible to everyone. These allow individuals to explore their own creative journey as well as getting involved in exciting collaborative projects, which contribute to local festivals and community events.
Joe and Harry
Spotted on a street in Stratford!! Buskers extraordinaire - and at the River Festival we like to nurture new talent, so come in and have a listen!
Rocking Dinosaurs http://www.roylowemusic.moonfruit.com/the-rockin-dinosaurs
The Rocking Dinosaurs are a three piece Rock ’n Roll band concentrating on 1950’s & early 60’s Rock n' Roll, playing music by Elvis, Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson, Carl Perkins ,Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry etc. but can also play blues and western swing.
Rhythm Studios Showcase www.rhythmstudios.co.uk
One of the best recording studios in the country - and right on our doorstep!! Rhythm Studios is the home of many local performers and this is owner Paul Johnston's opportunity to showcase some of the finest local talent.
Sons of the Delta http://www.sonsofthedelta.co.uk
Sons of the Delta was formed by two of the top bluesmen in the South West UK, Mark Cole and Rick Edwards. They play a no-nonsense blend of electric and acoustic blues which includes traditional blues plus new originals. Their music also features occasional sidesteps into other American roots styles such as gospel, hillbilly, bluegrass, Cajun and Texex.
2 www.StratfordRiverFestival.co.uk Achievements include a visit to Clarksdale, Mississippi where they played at a number of clubs and juke joints including Morgan Freeman's club Ground Zero. The visit also included time in Jimbo Mathus's recording studio, Delta Recording, where they were joined by Eric 'Bassfingers' Lanier and Jeff Hayes plus legendary bluesmen Sam Carr and Pinetop Perkins to record their second CD, 'Made In Mississippi'. In 2006 they returned to the USA and played on the prestigious Emerging Artist stage at the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival in Helena, Arkansas, and since then they have returned numerous times to play at festivals, most notably the Juke Joint Festival at Clarksdale, MS, in 2011 and 2014.They have just released their third CD, Tasty Nuggets, which features several special guests including Canadian blues guitarist Mike Myers from the Myers Brothers Blues Band.
Daniel Nestelrode http://www.nestlerode.co.uk
Daniel Nestlerode is a singer and songwriter who writes and performs principally on mandolin. Born in Pennsylvania, seasoned in California, Daniel is now based in Cambridge, UK and is rapidly building a reputation for excellent vocal ability and history soaked original songs.
Daisy Chain Quartet http://www.daisychainquartet.com
Combining the exuberant spirit of English folk with a 21st Century sensibility - Daisy Chain Quartet brings warmth and fire. This band tingles your taste buds with salubrious tones from acoustic guitars/voice, cello and quirky beats. Their song writing is classic in form and brand new at the same time. There are tunes to make you cry, there are tunes to chill to and some to get your foot tapping. The songs are sweet and to the point of all things love and life. They end as fantastic as they begin. Gotta check them out!
Simon Kempe Rhythm and Blues Orchestra http://www.simonkemprhythmandblues.com/
The Rhythm & Blues orchestra is a dynamic 18 piece orchestra playing R & B, Soul, funk and big fat Grooves. Soulful vocals backed by a full-on rockin' big Rhythm & Blues band. The band was founded in 2013 by leader Simon Kemp and is based in Stratford-upon-Avon.
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Copperhead Road https://www.facebook.com/groups/1477780689146790/
An anarchic combo creating an acoustic, eclectic blues and roots cabaret of select original tunes and prime covers of the best classic rock, metal and Americana...
Kinky Farnham http://www.kinkyfarnham.com
It's all very well the band themselves telling us what they are like - but here's what the people say!!:"I've been coming to see the bands in The Square, after the games, for 40 years now, ever since I've lived here, and that was by far and away the best I've seen. Different class'
Shuvani http://www.bastetbellydance.co.uk/bastetBellydance/links.php
Experienced belly dancers under the tuition of Val Rainbow, they specialize in Balkan, Indian,
Egyptian and Spanish inspired Gypsy Belly Dance.
Swan Tai Chi http://www.swantaichi.co.uk/
Watch the fabulous Swan School of Tai Chi and then join them in the family zone for an open air workshop in the afternoon (time TBC)
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Folk Friendzy https://www.facebook.com/FolkFriendzy?fref=ts
A dance group for young people that perform traditional dance in a unique way and style, ensuring that traditions continue for new and old audiences. They were a big hit last year and it's great to have them back!
Rozie T Dance Academy https://www.facebook.com/RozieTDance/timeline
The Rosie T Dance Academy dance for us again this year and as always, you can expect huge energy and enthusiasm! They aim to train the next generation of dancers in dance techniques of jazz, ballet, hip hop and Martha Graham technique in contemporary.
Jules Noble http://www.harmonybelle.co.uk
Harmony Belle is a 1930's-40's Tribute Singer who was once part of the close Harmony Duet, The Harmony Belles, capturing the nostalgic songs of the 30's, 40's and 50's. She now performs solo as Harmony Belle and can be seen entertaining at many 1940's War Re- enactment events all over the country. If you love the songs of yesteryear then you will adore listening to Harmony Belle as she brings alive an unforgettable era. Glenn Miller, Ella Fitzgerald, Vera Lynn, The Andrews Sisters, Gracie Fields, Billy Holiday are just a few, whose songs are brought alive by the fabulous Harmony Belle. Wearing the authentic costumes of the era Harmony is covering, you will be amazed at her talent for transporting you back to the 'Belle Epoch' of music.
Kristy Gallacher http://www.kristygallacher.com
A prolific songwriter, she is continually song writing her way through life and regularly tours on the acoustic circuit to audiences across the UK. With a strong live presence of carefully
5 www.StratfordRiverFestival.co.uk crafted songs and exciting fresh guitar work Kristy continues to grow and expand her loyal fan base. Kristy won the LG Arena's singer/songwriter competition and played before Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and John Mayer on separate nights at the LG Arena in Birmingham. Subsequent to the competition win, she was invited back to the LG Arena's Forum live to play before Elton John, Paul Weller, George Michael & Roxette. In addition to her own shows she has supported Ed Sheeran, Micheal Chapman, Scott Matthews, Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze), Mr Big, I Am Kloot's John Bramwell, Miles and Erica (Wonderstuff) Mark Morriss (Bluetones), Show of Hands, Nic Jones, Vin Garbutt and Nerina Pallot
Supine Orchestra www.supineorchestra.com
"Think big and the rest will follow!" Warwickshire's Supine Orchestra have released 3 acclaimed albums of original folk/pop. Their "unique, distinctive style and lyrically superb songs" resulted in their recent "Marek's Camp" album being named in "60 Best Folk Albums for 2014" by The Telegraph. Check them out!
Andrew James and Paul Johnston http://andrewjamesmusic.co.uk/
Festival favourites and local legends Andrew and Paul make a welcome return to the River Festival. Andrew has played original sets in Nashville, Street Festivals in Europe and played the BBC Introducing stage and with Paul has performed all over the country with a great mixture of new material and favourite summer sounds.
Ghost of a Dog www.ghostofadog.com
Country rocking Americana forms the basis of Ghost of a Dogs sound which has won them a barrage of praise for their gigs and for their 2 albums, “..vivid soundscapes…memorable melodies…well crafted lyrics… highly recommended” Maverick Country; and “ ...Joplinesque vocals set to stun... catchy and powerful” Electric Ghost
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Benjamin Folke Thomas http://www.benfolkethomas.com
Ben started out playing drums at the age of 12 in a skate punk band that rapidly developed into grunge, due to an obsession with Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. But then Ben started listening to folk music and from there he progressed to Bob Dylan and Townes van Zandt. “Sad guys with guitars have always been my involuntary preference”, says Ben, but you could hardly describe him as sad. His acoustic guitar skills are astonishing, while his songs reveal depths of emotion and stories from a young life that has been lived hard. This is a man who has loved and lost and channels his feelings into his work. His uniquely engaging stage presence displays the kind of humour sadly missing in the work of so many introspective singer-songwriters.
Joe Morton https://www.facebook.com/Joemortonmusic
"The 'City and Colour' of Birmingham" - Gazz Marlow (InMe). Singer/ Song writer, born and raised in Birmingham. A mixture of songs fusing various genres and inspirations into whatever comes out when I pick up a guitar and attempt to write music.
Sam Green and the Midnight Heist http://www.samgreenandthemidnightheist.com
Sam Green and the Midnight Heist are a band with two stories to tell; a split personality if you will. On one side their music hails from the still backwaters of the British folk tradition telling tales of loneliness, introspection and the well-worn road. Using sweet harmonies and moody crescendos their music is melodic and uplifting. But if seen late at night in a bar down town, the other darker side to their music surfaces. This other side transports you to the stormy waters of the Mississippi where their sound transforms into a wild whirlwind of finger pickin’ lap slide blues, foot stompin’ beats and howling harmonicas. “His contemporary finger-picked folk songs evoke John Fahey, but also shares much in common with the multi Brit-winning Ben Howard, and wouldn’t be out of place supporting Mumford & Sons especially when reaching impressive thigh-slapping speeds on the rollicking “Miles Away”, when they turn the space into a full-on barn-dance.” - Elisa Bray, The Independent
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Miramar http://www.bastetbellydance.co.uk/bastetBellydance/links.php
A regular fixture at the River Festival - it wouldn't be the same without them! - Miramar is a troupe of gorgeous belly dancing goddesses from Stratford-upon-Avon. First formed in 2005 by belly dance teacher and performer Val Rainbow, the troupe is comprised of Val's most experienced and talented dancers. Their biggest achievement to date has been a full scale theatre show in February, in collaboration with two other troupes, Tribe-Ulations and Qetesh, where they danced 7 different original choreographies, including a spectacular finale with the other troupes. They were one of the first troupes in the country to dance with both Isis wings and veils.
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