Line up Friday 16th September
JAMES YORKSTON
This singer-songwriter from Fife is a fully-fledged member of the Fence Collective - along with King Creosote Lonepigeon and Pip Dylan - but has also had success with his own band The Athletes, and latterly The Big Eyes Family Players, while signed to Domino Records. Known for his haunting, celtic-flavoured songs, his latest release is actually a book, 'The Touring Diaries of a Scottish Gent', a mix of deadpan humour and wide-eyed wonder whilst mapping out the realities and endless disorientations of life on the road.
"Yorkston displays his spellbinding voice - rough at the edges, tender at the core - and a talent for picking out delicate melodies... onstage he's a genial, laid-back conversationalist with a deadpan wit." The Independent
"For me, listening to James Yorkston's music is like coming across the interesting-looking person on the fringes of a party. Before you know it, you've spent the evening listening to their compelling tale. There's a quiet confidence in his craft; his singing, the words and instrumentation." Philip Selway, Radiohead
TREETOP FLYERS
Treetop Flyers are a London five-piece who specialise in rootsy, alt-country rock, that harks back to the golden age of the Laurel Canyon music scene. Since the release of their debut EP, To Bury The Past, in 2009 they have been gathering pace with a reputation for their live performances, which earned them the winning spot at this year's Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition.
For more info go to treetopflyers.co.uk
MARCUS FOSTER
The Mumford & Sons protégé with an MA in sculpture, singer songwriter Marcus Foster has drawn comparisons with Tom Waits, Tim Buckley, Van Morrison and Ed Sheeran. His debut album, Nameless Path' is released in late September on the Mumfords label Communion, preceded by the single 'I Was Broken'.
For more info go to www.youtube.com/user/marcusfoster1
BETH ROWLEY
Bristol-based singer-songwriter Beth Rowley draws on blues, country, folk, gospel and Latin American musical influences. After releasing three EP's, her first album, Little Dreamer, was an instant Top Ten hit. She's since collaborated with a number of other musicians, including Crowed House, Duke Special and, most recently, Ron Sexsmith on her forthcoming second album.
For more info go to youtube.com/watch?v=OopHFmYGrAA&feature=related
THE LOOSE SALUTE
The Loose Salute is the project of drummer, singer and guitarist Ian McCutcheon of Slowdive and Mojave 3 fame. Together with Lisa Billson on vocals, keys and percussion, Charlotte King on percussion, bells and whistles and Alan Forrester on bass and keys, the band divides their time between London and Cornwall and cites the beach as a musical inspiration. Their second album is released mid September.
"This folked-up London/Cornwall outfit blend summertime pop with sepulchral ballads like a country-rock St Etienne" The Guardian
LUX HARMONIUM
Lux Harmonium is the stage name of Devon-based finger-picking guitarist, singer and songwriter Luke Jones. Mainly (but not exclusively) acoustic, the songs and music of Lux Harmonium once heard are not forgotten - lyrical, tuneful and inventive but quite hard to categorise.
ALL THE FIRES
All The Fires are a 6-piece band from the far west of Cornwall, whose original songs combine a modern folk sentiment with a love of popular song. Their lyrics are spun with imagery of the open sea, dark skies and fleeting birds, and are played out with a lush and harmonious backing, including cello, mandolin, glockenspiel and melodica.
For more info go to www.myspace.com/allthefires
"Talented, multi-instrumental and uniquely charming, All The Fires are a total breath of fresh air. Lush arrangements mix with Regina Spektor-esque vocals, leaving the listener with a warm feeling deep inside."
Go2 Magazine
SAVAGING SPIRES
This music belongs somewhere. Late summer afternoons, English pre-twilight and the old house that could do with some work. Stunning melodies nestle with feedback, a gentle reverie of harmonica and slide guitar.
NATALIE AND THE LONERS
Nathalie And The Loners was formed by Polish alt-wonder Natalia Fiedorczuk in 2006 as a one-woman-band. She debuted in 2009 with a Go, Dare album acclaimed by critics & audience; called on of the best alt debuts of 2009 in Poland. Influences range from Debussy to Americana and to Steve Reich but her trademark is excellent and catchy songwriting.
LIZ GREEN
Liz Green is a Manchester-based singer-songwriter. She is linked with Humble Soul records and won Glastonbury Festival’s Emerging Talent Competition for in 2007. She includes Shane MacGowan, Blues, Canadian Hip Hop, Anti-folk, Musicals, George Thomas, and Late nights that last until dawn among her influences.
"Her delicate songs are a perfect knot of grassroots jazz, muddy blues and homespun folk, and recall the kiss of a needle on a brittle 78... you sense that once the world gets wind of her elegant, spooky songs there will be nowhere for Green to hide" The Observer
DAVID A JAYCOCK
Named after a Hitchcock-esque nightmare in which he was set upon by a pair of hard-winged, marauding cuckoos, David A Jaycock's second album is a step forward from the pastoral motifs of his debut, incorporating an expansive country-folk sound alongside the indigenous qualities and general oddness that have made his name.
SCIANKA
Maciej Cieslak is Scianka, one of Poland's best known composers and indie producers, he works with both the theatre and movies and was composer for the Academy Award nominee Rabit a'la Berlin documentary. Solo he performs with an extreme tension, emotion and great vituosity.
UNDER THE DRIFTWOOD TREE
Under the Driftwood Tree met while on the look out for surf breaks on the Pembrokeshire coast. Discovering a mutual love for not only surfing but acoustic based and folk tinged music, what started out as a beach party fireside jam has now turned into a touring band. Boasting a chilled out West Coast surf sound of their own featuring soft melodic harmonies and exceptional song writing their sound has been described as "completely unique" by the BBC. The Cardiff-based band have also appeared at the following festival this year - Secret Garden Party, Blissfields, Chagstock, Green Man.
JOHN FAIRHURST TRIO
This modern day wandering blues man provides an authentic acoustic blues stomp - think Captain Beefheart meets Tom Waits - accompanied by bass and drums.
"worth every bit of praise he's already garnered. Capable of creating jaw-dropping moments live, he is possibly the finest guitarist you'll ever see - and even better than that he is able to couple those skills with brilliant songwriting and a gravel-swilled belter of a voice. Search him out and prepare to be stunned." - Chris Long - BBC Manchester
For more info go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcJbj-A2JXg
BIRDS, ORPHANS & FOOLS
This Southwest-based DJ collective are obsessive un-earthers of obscure music and movies. Expect a feast for your ears spanning 60's, 70's & 80's esoteric & rare sounds. As always, B.O.F. will be running the Voodoo lounge at the Phoenix on the Friday evening as well as Djing throughout parts of the festival.For more info go to www.birdsorphansandfools.com
...AND MANY MORE
Plus Kristi Michele, Emma Lauran, Maz Totterdell, Morning Rush, The Jesse Dansons, Sunday SkyClub and many more.