Jim Moray

Martin Carthy is an English folk singer and guitarist who has remained one of the most influential figures in British traditional music, inspiring contemporaries such as Bob Dylan and Paul Simon and later artists such as Richard Thompson since he emerged as a young musician in the early days of the folk revival.

He was born in Hatfield on May 21, 1941 and grew up in Hampstead, London. After training as an actor he sang in coffee bars. He became a resident at the Troubador folk club in Earls Court in the late 1950s. He joined Redd Sullivan’s Thameside Four in 1961. He is a renowned solo performer of traditional songs in a very distinctive style, accompanying himself on his trusty old Martin Guitar; his style is marked by the use of alternate tunings, and a strongly percussive picking style that emphasizes the melody. His debut album, Martin Carthy, was released in 1965, and also featured Dave Swarbrick playing fiddle on some tracks, although he was not mentioned in the album’s sleeve notes.

He has also been involved with many musical collaborations. He has sung with The Watersons since 1972, was an early member of the UK folk rock group Steeleye Span, and was part of the innovative Brass Monkey ensemble, which mixed a range of brass instruments with Carthy’s guitar and mandolin and John Kirkpatrick’s accordion, melodeon and concertina.

The band play their own brand of Western Swing, Blues, Gypsy Jazz and Country, or “North Eastern Swing” as they’ve coined it. Influenced by early 20th century American music, with the addition of “razor-sharp” solos, great arrangements and original songs; their music harks back to a golden age whilst staying perfectly modern.

The songs are penned by Rob Heron, a crazy fool for country music and a full time dandy-cowboy. His songs are full of character, satire, and good old fashion hollerin’! With thousands of touring miles under their belts, they have earned themselves a strong fan base in the UK, Europe and beyond.

Their debut album, ‘Money Isn’t Everything’, caused a sensation when it was released in 2012, winning a host of rave reviews – many of them 5-star. Their follow up album, “Talk About The Weather” in 2014 also received great radio play and reviews.Throughout 2015 the band have continued to show their passion for touring and playing live with multiple SELL OUT shows across the UK and beyond. Most recently the band played a spectacular performance at the legendary Glastonbury Festival. With plenty more incredible shows lined up for the rest of the year, Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra are best experienced live!

Tickets £11/£10

Directed by Sam Campbell and produced by Nick Hayes. This video was filmed on one of the oldest railways in the world, Tanfield Railway, built in 1725.

[website url=”teapadorchestra.co.uk”

Contemporary folk quartet playing original music inspired by the landscapes, people and stories of the Isles of Scilly.

Incorporating a wide range of instrumental and vocal textures, RIB craft a personal and contemporary sound, firmly rooted in the folk tradition. The individual members bring together a variety of influences and experience: from performing as members of Bellowhead, The Spooky Men’s Chorale and the Maddy Prior Trio; to their own solo projects such as The Little Unsaid and Full of Noises; as well as running folk festivals and events across the Scilly Isles and throughout the UK.

RIB are: John Elliott, Joe Keelan, Piers Lewin, James Sills. Contributing musician: Giles Lewin.

‘This Island of Yours…’ is RIB’s fourth studio album and charts a deeply personal response to the islands. Submissions of poetry, photographs, stories and spoken word have been woven into the fabric of the album by RIB and collated as a physical scrapbook to accompany the recordings. Musically, this is RIB’s most ambitious and idiosyncratic to date, expanding their contemporary folk sound with echoes of electronica, jazz and ambient music. Recorded in their home studio on St Agnes over ten days in April 2017, the album captures a tangible sense of place and sense of space. The album will be released to their Pledge Music supporters on 31st August, with a general release on 13th October.

Praise for 2014’s album ‘On All Sides’:

‘Fresh, energetic and blessed with a light touch’ (Spiral Earth)
‘A real cracker’ (Mike Harding’)
‘A band that is totally happy within its own skin’ (Fatea)
‘Great band!’ (Dustin Hoffman – yes that Dustin Hoffman!)
‘Thank you. You are wonderful’ (Judi Dench – yes that Judi Dench!)

Tickets £11/£10/£5(children)

Book Online www.roughislandband.com

Hank Wangford is an authentic country singer/songwriter with a wide emotional range. Hank is renowned on both sides of the Atlantic for his originality and long years on the country music scene.

Reg Meuross is a modern day troubadour with some of the most beautifully disarming songs and lyrics ever written.

Together Hank and Reg have embarked on the ‘No Hall Too Small’ tour playing in two hundred and twenty village halls throughout England and Scotland.