Bands and Concerts

[Concert Schedule] [Workshop Schedule]

Didmarton boasts an impressive line-up every year, with bands from North America, Great Britain and Europe. The 2009 line-up includes:

Mountain Heart Mountain Heart is the band that has been fearlessly revolutionizing the way acoustic music can be presented and played. The band's name has been synonymous with cutting-edge excellence in acoustic music circles since the group's creation in 1999. Widely known throughout the music industry for continually redefining the cutting edge, the band has gained legions of fans both as a result of their superlative musicianship, and more notably, their incomparably exciting live performances.

Chris Newman & Máire Ní Chathasaigh The celebrated virtuoso partnership of Máire Ní Chathasaigh (pronounced Moira Nee Ha-ha-sig), "the greatest Celtic harper of our age" (Live Ireland) and Irish Traditional Musician of the Year 2001, and Chris Newman, one of the UK's more extraordinary and revered acoustic guitarists, made its début at the 1987 Cambridge Folk Festival. They've played in twenty-one countries - from the Shetland Islands to New Zealand, from San Francisco to Calabria - and have given TV and radio performances on five continents. Though rooted in the Irish tradition, the eclecticism, emotional range and spirit of adventure of their performances, a breathtaking blend of traditional Irish music, hot jazz, bluegrass and baroque, coupled with Máire's "clear, warm and expressive voice" and Chris's "subversively witty introductions" ensure a busy international touring schedule. Their sixth CD together, FireWire , has just been released to critical acclaim: "An eclecticism and spirit of adventure that is quite thrilling... Virtuoso playing... bewitching string fantasies and a wonderfully clear and expressive voice..." The Times "Maire Ni Chathasaigh is in a class of her own..." The Guardian "Dazzling virtuosity... guitar-playing to be marvelled at... exquisitely delivered... delightful" The Daily Telegraph

Beverly Smith and Carl Jones For years, American duo Carl Jones and Beverly Smith have appeared on the traditional music scene, at festivals, on record, at contests and dances, in various bands and formations, playing just about anything with strings or tossing in vocal harmonies wherever there was the oppportunity. In their recordings they bring those years of experience to the art of the duet—songs and tunes, old and new, done simply and with love.

The Scoville Units The Scoville Units put a new twist on traditional songs and tunes, and feature some of the best talent from British bluegrass and folk, with Leon Hunt on banjo, Rex Preston on mandolin, Ed Boyd on guitar, Gina Griffin on fiddle and Josh Clark on percussion.

Gravity High octane bluegrass from Sweden. After a successful US tour and great reviews of the album "Roadman" (2008), Gravity is one of the most interesting acoustic upcoming bands in Sweden. Gravity is not afraid of mixing bluegrass with rockabilly and blues. Their dynamic sound and many great live performances have made them to one of the most exciting bluegrass acts in Scandinavia. The powerful charismatic lead vocalist and the rockabilly bass create the characteristic Gravity sound together with the traditional banjo, mandolin, guitar and dobro.

A Band Like Alice A Band Like Alice formed in 1996 and specialise in "pure product" bluegrass. One of the most popular bands on the British scene, they are Bob Winquist (fiddle, baritone vocal), Richard Collins (banjo and lead vocal), Garry Payne (guitar and lead/tenor vocal), Alan Ward (mandolin) and Sherryl Payne (bass).

Chill Until Blue With a philosophy to play music that is dynamic, accessible, fun and eclectic, Chill Until Blue create a progressive sound whilst maintaining a respect for the tradition. Their repertoire includes traditional songs, instrumentals and original material arranged in a way that is unique, powerful and engaging. The band has a wealth of performing experience with members from a number of well established bands that have played extensively across the UK and abroad.

Monroe's Revenge Didmarton wouldn't be Didmarton without Monroe's Revenge, who have played at every festival since it began in 1989. Their rootsy traditional style aims to capture the raw energy of the early pioneers of bluegrass – Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, and Flatt and Scruggs – and apply it to more recent songs. Ballads of bad men and murder, heartache and loneliness, trains, planes and rabbit huntin' are interspersed with hard-driving virtuoso instrumental pieces from fiddle, banjo and mandolin.

Rabbi John Now entering their third year Rabbi John are still writing catchy and groove based material and with plans to release the third album they are sticking to the three theme and are now a trio, although for Didmarton be prepared for an extra treat! The band are Jason Titley on guitar and mandolin, Paul Bienek on banjo and vocals and Duncan Kingston on bass.

The Carrivick Sisters Despite their youth, The Carrivick Sisters have been performing for several years both as a duo and as members of larger bluegrass bands. Although destinctly English (many of their original songs are based on old stories, legends and folklore from their local area), their passion for American bluegrass and old time makes their sound unique. The sisters combine a wide range of instruments with their tight vocal harmonies to create a varied set of mostly original songs and instrumentals.

Home Territory Home Territory comprises Gary Payne, Richard Holland, Emily Smith, Lennie Harvey, Joe Hymas and Sherryl Payne. They enjoy playing all flavours of bluegrass - traditional, hardcore and contemporary, with a smattering of swing in their endeavour to try to please all (the members of the band)! Based from Winchester to Basildon, the members of this band really enjoy playing together and playing with themselves.

Keith Pearson's Coup de Grass Coup de Grass is a hugely entertaining band whose live performances always feature a great deal of humour; although this is a serious music band and not a comedy band. The music, ranging from fast, dazzling banjo and harmonica solos to poignant ballads of exceptional beauty, is an exciting mixture of all that is great in bluegrass and in folk.

Old Yeller Dog One of the UK's premier old time string bands, Old Yeller Dog play foot stomping, traditional Appalachian dance music. The band consists of Dave Marshall on banjo, John O'Connell on fiddle, Andy Imms on guitar and Fiona Cameron on double bass.

The KittyHawks The KittyHawks are a band featuring Lucy Ray on vocals and mandolin, Mo Jackson on banjo and vocals, Muddy John on guitar, Moira Fraser on bass and Richard Partridge on fiddle and vocals. Their repertoire is rooted in traditional old-time but some songs are contemporary and some are plucked from other musical styles but given an old-time twist, all interwoven with Lucy and Mo's beautiful harmonies creating a mix of high and lonesome, gospel and good old foot tapping stomps.

Wood Wire and Words Wood, Wire and Words bring together husband and wife Clare and David Rozzell and long time bluegrass stalwart Pat Francis. Pat has been absent from the festival scene for a few years but is making a bit of a comeback with this newly named line up. Great harmonies and they can play their instruments a bit too!

Brejeiro Since their first appearance at Didmarton in 2005 Brejeiro have been busy taking Brazilian Choro music around the nation, including headlining the BMG Federation rally in Scotland. Twin mandolins play haunting melodies over pulsating rhythm guitar, all propelled by dynamic latin percussion that makes dancing irresistible, Brejeiro mix traditional Choro tunes with contemporary songs and original compositions, and have a new CD available which has been getting rave reviews.

Fastest to Canada Fastest to Canada have an eclectic roots sound drawing on original, contempory and traditional music. The band have two very strong lead singers in Jacqui Haigh and Andy Collins (who also play acoustic guitars), Andy Marr (sax, flute, whistles and vocals) and John Sweet (electric guitar) provide the highly inventive twiddly bits and the whole thing is underpinned by the rock solid playing of Richard Ireland (Bass and vocals) and Mo Morgan (drums).

Jennifer Crook Jennifer Crook's unique blend of English folk and Americana is earning her a growing reputation as one of the best new singer songwriters around. Her debut solo album A Few Small Things was described by Maverick magazine as "a remarkable CD with a great collection of self-penned songs about life, people and relationships - the very bedrock of folk and country music."

R 'n G Formed from the remnants of Roots and Galoots, the band features Chris Moreton, Roland Emmanuel, Becky Lee, Roy Nicholls and Mansel Kedward. Hailing from South Wales, vocal harmonies feature prominently in their repertoire and include the instrumental talents and expertise of Chris Moreton and Roy Nicholls. R 'n G's material ranges from traditional to contemporary bluegrass plus the occasional original arrangement (maybe even some Welsh bluegrass!).

The Biggin Hillbillies The Biggin Hillbillies are a Kent based bluegrass band that has been playing for over a decade. Whilst their mainstream is bluegrass music, their varied repertoire includes country and folk numbers, 50s and 60s pop, Irish favourites and jazz standards.

The Chris Lancry Trio Chris Lancry, guitar and harp player born in 1951 in Marseille France, started playing guitar at the age of 12. Playing Beatles and Stones songs with various bands, he discovered Bob Dylan in 1964 and started to play blues and American traditional folk music. His guitar style is based on both traditional playing and improvisation. After studying Lightnin’ Hopkins, Robert Johnson and different acoustic blues styles, he discovered White music by Doc Watson, Merle Travis and Jerry Reed. His playing is a mix of all these influences.

The Fiasco Brothers Last seen back in the late 90s the Fiasco Brothers were an off shoot of the Daily Planet giving Dominic Harrison and Jason Titley a chance to play and sing songs from their back catalogue. Now you have a chance to see them again in their original line-up with the legendary 'chuffer' Jamie Matthews and maybe even a banjo player, of course this is all dependant on how late the session in the biker bar went on to!

Deep River Band Deep River Band is making a return visit to Didmarton this year to entertain with its dynamic and sizzling sound of traditional bluegrass. They have pleased audiences both far and wide in the UK, Europe and the USA. Gerry Williams, the founding father of this band, provides guitar and soulful vocals whilst Gina Richardson lays down her finely honed fiddle breaks. They are joined this year by the banjoist Joe Mcilvenny well known on the festival circuit, who adds his hard driving banjo skills and bluesy vocals to the band's distinctive sound.

Honey On My Grave A 4-piece band that brings together old time, blues and original songs with a bit of country attitude. The band was formed following jam sessions at acoustic festivals around Bristol.

Salmagundi This duo is comprised of Guy Rogers on guitar, vocals, 5 string banjo and mandolin, along with Dan Norton on vocals, mandolin, guitar and octave mandolin. They play music drawn from a wide variety of styles and influences, the only apparent constraint is that it is acoustic.

Heather Bristow and Colin Sillence This pair have performed frequently since first meeting in 2003 and have developed a strong and varied repertoire featuring a mix of their own excellent originals, traditional ballads (particularly Irish) and anything from A.P. Carter to Richard Thompson. Expect a fresh, category-defying performance featuring engaging vocals and strong harmonies and accompaniment from this compelling new duo.

Dalebilly Dalebilly are a new name with some well known faces. Richard Collins takes to the mandolin and vocals, on banjo is Johnny Hulme, lead guitar and vocals are in the safe hands of Neil Garratt, Claire Collins has the arduous task of playing bass, and Kevin Garratt is on guitar and lead vocals. Solid bluegrass with harmony singing.

Steve Payne Roots, country and blues guitarist, Steve Payne, has been variously described as "one of the UK's finest guitarists" and "one of rock's fallen angels". A gifted songwriter and composer he has also turned his hand to arranging and producing.

Bands from past festivals