Fairport's Cropredy Festival 2009

The almost-final line-up for the annual Cropredy music festival in Oxfordshire in August has been announced, and tickets are already on sale. Check out this bill of fayre ... it WILL be a sell out! And our KEN is part of the party, too.

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 (and FolkCaster!) Ken Nicol and well-loved television comedian Phil Cool present a show that is both genuinely musical and very funny.
http://www.nicolandcool.com

Buzzcocks
Cropredy is proud to present the legendary Buzzcocks (Never mind... Ed). 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 (...not really. Folk-punk is a genre with a long and impressive history. Ed) but Ade Edmondson has melded the genres. The Bad Shepherds present punk classics with a folk twist.
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 (...into every life a little rain must fall. Ed).
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. The band's live show is an eclectic fusion of dub, techno and folk.
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

( And for my own guide to camping and the whole Cropredy experience, click here and for caravanning at the festival info, go here. - Phil )