Saturday Festival
The Folk Abbey Stage
New for 2018
Connor Walsh is a Devon born and bred Folk singer song writer based in Bristol.
Think energetic, foot stomping, jig inducing folk music that will bring a grin to your face.
Very upfront, confident and engaging folk music performance.
Karl is a singer songwriter based in the UK and living very locally. Writing music is something he has done for his whole life, taking inspiration from the likes of Frank Turner and Newton Faulker. His no nonsense approach to new music is a refreshing take on the ever booming singer songwriter genre.
Having performed the width and breadth of the country, Karl has received sterling reviews from the Great British public, such as:
Bev: Yeah, he’s not bad really.
Keith: Solid mate.
BBC’s Alan Raw: Actually quite good.
Maaike Siegerist is a Dutch jazz and ‘dark folk’ artist with airplay on BBC Radio 6. Her music is an unusual blend of classic jazz, Argentine folk and gothic influences; her voice has echoes of Joan Baez and the Portuguese fado singer Cristina Branco. Maaike self-released her debut album Born Before the Wind last year, and performs across the UK and the Netherlands. She is joined by indie singer-songwriter Jonni Slater on keys and vocals.
“A beautiful, haunting melody; a wonderful song” – Sam Bonham, BBC Music Introducing in the West
The extremely talented Bath Youth Folk Band join us again after a year off!
I wouldn’t love folk music if I hadn’t joined the Bath Youth Folk Band. In 2014, I spent a day at the Bath City Farm, where some folk musicians were playing, and fell in love with the music almost instantly. The next month, I was inspired to join the band and see what happened. I started in the junior band before moving to the main one, where I was flung into my first gig at the exact place that I had started loving folk music the year before.
Since then, my music has progressed immensely. My fiddle accompanies the array of flutes, whistles, guitars and cajons that make up our band. Possibly the biggest gig that we have played at is the Southdowns Folk Festival that took place in September last year. We all spent a fair part of the day that we performed on actually travelling the 100 odd miles to reach Bognor Regis, but afterwards, despite the occasional missing band member and snapped string, we managed to thoroughly enjoy playing to our late-afternoon audience.
Altogether, being part of the band has been such a positive experience and I can’t wait to see where it leads me. My confidence has increased, and I have started a small folk band at my school, as well as having taught and busked some tunes with my friends. Joni Brown
Bath Folk Youth Band is a top-class youth folk ensemble in Bath, drawing on the enthusiasm and talents of students from our annual Traditional Music Summer School. The ensemble was formally launched at Bath Folk Festival 2014 with a week of workshops and performances, including a collaboration with the amazing Ards CCE. The group meets once a month and promotes the traditional music of the British Isles, encouraging students to develop their own arrangements and style within the folk canon.
Most members of the senior band are Grade 5-8 standard. Our musicians have not all taken the traditional route of music exams but they can all learn tunes by ear. We are keen to welcome new members and run a training band for students from Grades 1-4, who progress to the senior band once they have developed the necessary skills. Both bands perform at a range of events and festivals throughout the year. Contact rachel@bathfolkfestival.org for further details
Jiggidy is made up of John Sandford (keyboard and vocals) and Rachel Barrett (fiddle and various other instruments). The duo was formed as a result of working together, directing the junior section of Bath Youth Folk Band. Jiggidy’s repertoire includes original compositions. It also reflects the band’s love of folk songs and tunes from the British Isles, as well as arrangements of popular songs, all performed in a laid back and accessible style. Audience participation is actively encouraged.
@jiggidyfolk
https://soundcloud.com/john-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Saint Opia
acoustic R’n’B, funk and blues band from Keynsham. Bringing vibrant, sunshine music to the festival.
Local contemporary singer songwriter, John Ross pulls in his Celtic background over beautiful
Will played at our original folk Saturday three years ago: it is a delight to have him back with his latest album and setup.
Wonderful Americana BBC Music Introducing
Will’s piano-based songs and Weasel’s superb drumming on a stripped-down kit make a heady and hypnotic sound that’s both highly original and hugely accessible Grapevine for Music
Will Lawton & Weasel Howlett released their debut album ‘Fossils of the Mind’ in January 2018. They have recently been signed by Supermarine Music and spent the early part of the year touring and promoting their new music. Weasel brings a dynamic sonic energy to the piano based, soulful and honest songs written by Will. The live performances are free flowing and expressive as genres move through rock, Americana, drum and bass, folk and singer-songwriter. Listen to their music on Spotify or by visiting their website.
www.willlawtonandweaselhowlett.co.uk
“Stylish Passionate Folk Rock” – R2, “Outstanding and Evocative” – FATEA, FolkLaw’s music will get your feet tapping and your mind thinking. Inspired by 10 years on the road in Europe and North America, FolkLaw’s songs are a commentary on life, with earthy lyrics and vocals accompanied by Celtic fiddle and distinctive vocal harmonies. Described as “Show of Hands with a new wave ethic” (fRoots) and winning friends and fans wherever they go, FolkLaw are a unique blend of energised entertaining UK folk-rock.
Featuring Nick Gibbs on fiddle a former Keynsham resident, FolkLaw are ….. “Stylish Passionate Folk Rock” – R2, “Outstanding and Evocative” – FATEA, “Whirling Jigs and Lyrics which bite!” – fRoots.
Last year Folklaw was one of the most accomplished acts appearing at the Festival, and will be again this year
FolkLaw’s music will get your feet tapping and your mind thinking. Inspired by 10 years on the road in Europe and North America, FolkLaw’s songs are a real commentary on life, with earthy lyrics and vocals accompanied by Celtic fiddle and distinctive vocal harmonies. Described as “Show of Hands with a new wave ethic” (fRoots) and an “acoustic New Model Army” (FolkWorld), FolkLaw have forged a unique blend of energised entertaining UK folk-rock.
Brand New album “Smokey Joe” is OUT NOW!!!
Described as “Outstanding and Evocative” by FATEA, “Stylish Passionate Folk Rock” by R2, and “a milestone of folk music” by FolkWords “Smokey Joe” is FolkLaw’s latest album. Mixed by Lyndon Webb, mastered by Daz Smith, and released on Fiddle of 8 Records, it’s been launched to critical acclaim, been played on radio from the BBC to Canada, Germany and Australia, and includes tracks which have appeared on the front cover of R2 magazine and reached the semi-finals of the UK songwriting contest.
