Yvonne Lyon with Ryan Donn
Sat 8 August, 8pm
£8
City Halls, Recital Room  

Yvonne Lyon is among the best emerging Scottish singer-songwriters. Drawing on her acoustic roots, her songs weave melodic grace and poetic storytelling, beautifully delivered with a voice that displays just the right balance between power and delicacy.

Performing material from her new album Ashes & Gold, with support from Ryan Donn, this promises to be a memorable night of acoustic music.

“Just stunning music.” (Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2)

“Listening to Yvonne is a life-affirming experience – she is the bee’s knees!” Iain Anderson, BBC Radio Scotland

Tickets for all events at Glasgow’s Concert Halls can be purchased:

By phone                                                    0141 353 8000
Online                                                        www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

- King Creosote to join strong Scottishcontingent at Brampton -
A sparkling showcase of Scottish talent is to be sponsored by the Scottish Arts Council at Brampton Live – the biggest folk roots festival in the north of England.

Described by top singer Eddi Reader as a festival “second only to Cambridge”, Brampton Live, just across the border near Carlisle, takes place on the weekend of July 17-19. A highlight of the popular festival will be “Showcase Scotland” in the main marquee on Saturday, July 18 – featuring a triumvirate of hot property Scottish artists. Taking to the stage will be Dumfriesshire-based 2008 Scots Singer of the Year Emily Smith and the melting pot of outrageous talent that is Kris Drever, John McCusker and Roddy Woomble who will be joined by two special guests – acclaimed English singer songwriter Boo Hewerdine and Ireland’s Heidi Talbot, former lead singer with Cherish The Ladies.

Showcase Scotland artists: King Creosote; Drever, McCusker, Woomble & Emily Smith

Now Brampton has announced that Fife’s Fence Collective supremo King Creosote (Kenny Anderson) will complete the unmissable line-up. King Creosote’s new album Flick the V’s has proved a real hit with the critics whilst a single from it, Coast on By– was a BBC Radio 2 Single of the Month.
The Edinburgh-based Scottish Arts Council has confirmed it will be supporting “Showcase Scotland” to the tune of £3,000. Says festival founder and director Ken Bradburn: “We are thrilled that the Scottish Arts Council are giving us their generous backing so we can go ahead and stage the first ever Scottish showcase in our 15-year history – and what a line up!”

Tickets for the showcase event, which starts at 8pm, are available online, price £25 (£20 concessions, £9 youth ticket and £5 child ticket), at the new look festival website www.bramptonlive.net and also from Carlisle’s Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery on 01228 618700, where tickets can also be bought in person. Under 5’s go free.

The showcase artists complete probably the strongest ever Scottish contingent to be seen at the festival.  Another Fife-born artist, the award-winning singer and West End actress Barbara Dickson will be the Sunday night headliner while high octane festival favourites, The Peatbog Faeries (far left) will get the joint jumping across at Stage Two.
Says Ken: “Some might think Barbara’s a more mainstream performer than they’d expect to see at Brampton Live, but she has impeccable folk credentials from her early career in the folk clubs of Fife and she’s increasingly returning to her roots.”

Brampton is now going full steam ahead, returning to its home at Brampton’s William Howard Centre and offering music on three stages as well as lively workshops, camping, children’s events and a festival market.

But its future had looked in doubt earlier this year until eleventh hour news of a successful £35,000 Lottery-funded Grants for the Arts award from Arts Council England signalled a new era for the event. The grant is supporting the festival’s migration from Carlisle City Council management into ownership by a newly formed independent company, Brampton Live Festival Ltd.

Among past Brampton performers who welcomed the news is Glasgow-born singer Eddi Reader who says: “I signed the petition to save Brampton Live and am delighted to hear that Arts Council England stepped in to save this fantastic festival which, in my opinion, is the highlight of the folk/roots calendar in the UK, second only to Cambridge.”

Other artists include BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Duo winners Chris While & Julie Matthews, the indefatigable Oysterband, Andy Fairweather Low, The Spooky Men’s Chorale (Australia), Mary Gauthier (USA), Eliza Gilkyson (USA), Annabelle Chvostek (Canada), Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley, Merseyside’s Elbow Jane, comedy folk band The Lancashire Hotpots, the offbeat and hotly-tipped Mr and Mrs and Wales’s favourite Celtic music export, Mabon.
Full details at www.bramptonlive.net

FAIRPORT'S CROPREDY CONVENTION 2009 LINE-UP

We are pleased to announce the line-up of acts for Fairport's Cropredy Convention. This year, the festival takes place on 13, 14, 15 August 2009. Performance times are 4pm to 11.30pm on Thursday and noon to midnight on Friday and Saturday. All acts are subject to contract.

Thursday 13 August 2009

Harlequinn
Up-and-coming all-girl five-piece Harlequinn plays upbeat alt rock/pop. These youngsters' musicianship would earn them a place on any stage in the land.
http://www.myspace.com/harlequinngirls

4Square
Another young band, Manchester-based 4Square is a talented and energetic quartet playing a funky mixture of original compositions and traditional music.
http://www.4squaremusic.co.uk

Ken Nicol & Phil Cool
Steeleye Span guitar wizard Ken Nicol and well-loved television comedian Phil Cool present a show packed with banter and music that plucks the heartstrings and tickles the funny bone.
http://www.nicolandcool.com

Buzzcocks
Cropredy is proud to present the legendary Buzzcocks. The band has been hugely influential from its origins on Manchester's punk and new wave scene and has also enjoyed considerable chart success.
http://www.buzzcocks.com

Steve Winwood
With a musical heritage encompassing Spencer Davies Group, Traffic and Blind Faith, Steve Winwood has enjoyed a distinguished solo career and is one of British popular music's greatest voices.
http://www.stevewinwood.com

Friday 14 August 2009

Colvin-Quarmby
This midlands-based four-piece is fronted with energetic enthusiasm by Gerry Colvin. The group combines great playing with well-crafted songs and sheer brio.
http://www.colvinquarmby.co.uk

BBC Young Folk Award Winners: Megan and Joe Henwood Fairport Convention is very proud of its close association with the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award. Each year, Cropredy offers a festival slot to the winners. For 2009, we present brother-and-sister act Megan and Joe Henwood. The Oxfordshire duo captivated the Award judges with Megan's beautiful vocal and guitar and Joe's stunning saxophone accompaniment.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/youngfolkaward2009/

Ade Edmondson and The Bad Shepherds
Punk and folk may seem unlikely bedfellows but Ade Edmondson has melded the genres and made the fusion work brilliantly. The Bad Shepherds present punk classics with a folk twist and the results are inspired.
http://www.thebadshepherds.com

John Jorgensen Band
Cropredy has seen some great guitar bands and John Jorgensen will uphold that tradition this year. A classic rock band to get you on your feet.
http://www.johnjorgenson.com

Dodge Brothers
For sheer entertainment and good vibes Dodge Brothers are hard to beat. The quartet presents skiffle, blues, and rock'n'roll standards – "songs about railroads and homicide" – on guitars, washboard, and double bass. With down'n'dirty vocal harmonies and pounding rhythms, this feel-good band will get the crowd dancing.
http://www.dodgebrothers.co.uk

Seth Lakeman
‘Back by popular demand’ is a hackneyed phrase but it's true of Seth Lakeman and his band. After a barnstorming performance at Cropredy 2007, the organisers were inundated with requests for a repeat visit and are happy to oblige.
http://www.sethlakeman.co.uk

Richard Thompson
Cropredy would hardly be complete without former Fairport member Richard Thompson, one of the most revered guitarists and singer-songwriters in the world. Richard's last appearance at the festival featured a full four-piece band; this year, by contrast, he will be performing a solo spot.
http://www.richardthompson-music.com

Saturday 15 August

Richard Digance
Richard will once again open Saturday’s festivities.
http://www.richarddigance.com

Churchfitters
Brittany-based Churchfitters bring diverse musical backgrounds and a fresh approach to folk. This long-established quartet's fast-paced show mixes original material with songs and tunes from the British Isles.
http://www.churchfitters.com

Feast of Fiddles
Six of Britain's finest folk fiddlers backed by a five-piece band present a musical extravaganza of dazzling instrumental virtuosity. The solo and ensemble playing by the stellar line-up ranges from Celtic frenzy to gypsy lament and just about everything in between.
http://www.feastoffiddles.com

Dreadzone
Originally championed by John Peel, Dreadzone is a fabulous festival act with half-a-dozen albums under its belt. With the pedigree of Big Audio Dynamite (and a name suggested by the legendary Don Letts) the band's live show is an eclectic fusion of dub, techno and folk into a powerhouse of ideas, experiments and imagination.
http://www.dreadzone.com

Ralph McTell
Another legend, singer-songwriter Ralph performs his first full solo set at Cropredy for many years. His rich voice, virtuoso guitar and unique songs will cast spells and make magic. Ralph will also join Fairport for a few numbers during their set.
http://www.ralphmctell.co.uk

Fairport Convention and special guests.
As always, the festival will end with a spectacular three-hour set by Fairport Convention and a galaxy of musical guests. Fairport's Cropredy set gives the band a chance to really stretch its wings and roam far and wide through a repertoire stretching back over forty years. You never know who'll turn up to play with Fairport: for instance, Robert Plant was among the guests on stage last year.
http://www.fairportconvention.com

* Plus more bands to be announced *

CROPREDY TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Tickets for Fairport's Cropredy Convention are now on sale with substantial discounts for early purchase.

As in previous years, the festival offers three-day (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) tickets, two-day (Friday and Saturday) tickets, and Saturday-only tickets.

Prices for tickets purchased before 1 June 2009 are:
Three-day tickets  £78
Two-day tickets  £68
Saturday-only  £48

Prices for tickets purchased between 1 June and 31 July 2009 are:
Three-day tickets  £82
Two-day tickets  £72
Saturday-only  £52

Prices for tickets purchased after 31 July 2009 (including at the gate) are:
Three-day tickets  £86
Two-day tickets  £76
Saturday-only  £56

Children under 12 years old are admitted free provided they are accompanied by an adult ticket holder.

Camping is charged per vehicle (up to five occupants). For added convenience and security, tents are erected next to the camping party's vehicle. Note there is no increase in camping charges this year.

Three-day camping costs £30 per vehicle, two-day camping is £25 per vehicle, and camping on Saturday night is free for people with a festival ticket. Motorcyclists, cyclists and backpackers arriving on foot can camp free of charge.

For extra ticket information, please consult the  'Tickets and Camping FAQ' on Fairport's website:
http://www.fairportconvention.com/faq.php

Tickets can be ordered online from http://www.fairportconvention.com

Postal ticket purchase from PO Box 8413, Bilsthorpe, Notts NG22 8WY

After the 2008 Towersey Village Festival (nr. Thame, Oxon) the national music magazine, fRoots published a review calling the Festival ‘the Real Village’ (see www.towerseyfestival.com).  That is just what Towersey Village Festival becomes over August Bank Holiday Weekend.  For 5 nights and 4 full days of ‘magic’ - ‘in another, lovelier world’ as one customer says.

Now at the 45th Celebration (27-31 August) the internationally renowned folk/roots/world/experimental outfit ‘The Imagined Village’ is headlining the Festival.  Started as an investigation of English Traditional music, the band now boasts many big names including Martin Carthy, Eliza Carthy, Chris Wood, Simon Emmerson & Andy Gangadeen and takes the Traditional music to another level, through world music, rock and jazz influences.  Taking the Festival Dance House stage on Friday 28th August, this ‘not to be missed’ experience leads a stellar line-up of artist in a packed programme that includes a reformed Edward II, Devon Sproule, Shooglenifty, Heidi Talbot, The Lark Rise Band, Steve Tilston, and Dana & Susan Robinson, The Waterson Family, The Spooky Men’s Chorale (Australia), Karine Polwart Band, The Old Swan Band, Blue Blokes 3, Cock & Bull Band, Pete Coe, Boldwood, Florida and many more to come.

Bringing your whole family to Towersey is a must.  ‘On the Towersey Campsite you pitch up next to your new neighbours (for 5 nights)’, ‘the old, the young, music, food and stories are shared’.  ‘Thrown together in a happy harmonious mix’, ‘…a new community’, ‘(it) makes the experience so different’.  A choice of three Campsites with all the facilities, choice of food, drinks, colour and adventure to help you forget the rest of the world, in this unique holiday Festival.

From Yoga to Bop Around, through hands on Workshop learning to Concerts, Ceilidhs, Club Sessions, Storytelling, Staged displays, Street Theatre and a Festival atmosphere, you will never have met before (unless you have done Towersey).  The Festival is packed - 62 hours of prgrammed music and dance for you to drop into, join in or just watch.  Most festivals are around 35-45 hours, at Towersey you get more than a whole extra day!

Young People Love Towersey.  From the famous Children’s Festival to Shooting Roots for Youth, the busy schedule offers hands on learning, a chance to be involved, to loosen up, to meet new friends and even form a band.  Both the Children’s Festival and Youth programmes are staged in specially dedicated venues; both have been increased in size and facilities this year and both have a programme packed with opportunities, vision, skills and a ‘feeling that you have been transported to another land’

‘We’ve been coming for over 20 years…’was the most common phrase that opened responses to the Festival’s invitation to ‘tell us what you think’.  Now planning can go ahead to set up the Festival how most of our customers want it - all Sites mixed ages and groups - quieter camping on Site 1, Cars & Caravan Village on Site 2 and the ‘stay up later’ crowd on Site 3.  As for the music - well the organisers report the customer survey concluded Towersey Village Festival presents what they want.

So as the snow melts away think Towersey Village Festival, a unique experience in a little Village with BIG ideas.

Latest news and information, money saving offers and tickets are available online at www.towerseyfestival.com.  Alternatively, the Festival Box Office number is 01629 827016. 

ScottishPower and Celtic Connections are delighted to announce that the energy company will be extending its support of the festival as principal sponsor through to the end of 2010.

In sponsoring Scotland’s premier roots music festival, ScottishPower is celebrating its Scottish origins and investing in the future of our national traditions. The company’s commitment to Celtic Connections enables festival organisers to now be able to plan ahead and build on the success of this year bringing the best in international and home-grown talent to Glasgow every January.

Nick Horler, ScottishPower Chief Executive, said:
"The Celtic Connections festival is firmly established as a highlight in Scotland's cultural calendar - especially in this year of Homecoming. ScottishPower is proud to extend its principal sponsorship. In these challenging economic times, sponsorship funding in Scotland will no doubt become harder to secure. That's why I am delighted to announce we have renewed and extended our sponsorship of Celtic Connections through to the end of 2010 - providing them with a secure platform from which to continue their exciting development."

Donald Shaw, Artistic Director, Celtic Connections, said:
Celtic Connections is delighted that ScottishPower are continuing to support the festival and build on the already successful partnership.  The commitment of the company provides the passport to ensuring that Scottish and international visitors can enjoy a diverse range of high quality music in Glasgow each January. The company’s investment is particularly key in funding the festival’s education programme, which encourages children to enjoy Scotland’s cultural heritage and nurtures an awareness of traditional Scottish music from classrooms to concert halls.  The festival is proud to be supported by ScottishPower, and is confident in working together to deliver sustained development of the partnership into 2010.