Song
Last minute change of Venue
We have had to change the venue of the concert to the scout hut.
Grove Scout Hut, Cane Ln, Grove, Wantage OX12 0AE
Dave Plimmer
Fire in the Belly
Fire in the Belly is a tribute to the life and stories of Woodrow ‘Woody’ Wilson Guthrie. Dave Plimmer tells the story of the musician and the man mixing biographical monologue in the voice of Guthrie with his music, celebrating his art and fire plagued story. It is a testimony to the emotional power of a single performer, creating a living biography as he takes us into the world of Guthrie creating a sense of the bitter sweet reality of his life.
A must see emotionally fuelled event for lovers of music and stories alike.
Nathan Rodney-Jones: Fringe Theatre Festival review.
Audience comments
Going to see this performance with a very superficial knowledge of the life, music and politics of Woody Guthrie – I left feeling that I’d lost a personal friend. Dave Plimmer performs the biography of a man that he so clearly respects with sensitivity and empathy, taking us on a journey of the sorrows feeding into Guthrie’s music that Dave performs with such soul. Whether a fan of Woody Guthrie or not, this is a show not to be missed as a rare glimpse into another life and what motivates them to create such bitter sweet art.
Fabulous piece @TheatreFest so glad we came along. I knew the name but not the man. I knew some of the lyrics but not what inspired them. A truly lovely piece even shed a tear or two at the end. Thank you.
If you haven’t seen this show I would urge you to do so – it is really excellent. I’ve seen it twice and if it comes to anywhere near me I shall see it again.
Spellbinding piece of work from script writer, director, actor and musician Dave Plimmer. Really loved it.
Absolutely wonderful. Dave Plimmer held everyone’s attention with his spellbinding performance.
A great performance and a wonderful tribute to Woody Guthrie. It was like he was there in the room, right there, just in front of us. From the very first words to the very last. Very moving and inspiring, I hope a lot more people get to see it.
This performance will be a special event on Saturday afternoon in the Scout Hut. As it is a very atmospheric piece of theatre, there will be no admission once the performance has started so the magic can happen uninterrupted.
Sound Tradition
Sound Tradition is an a cappella folk foursome (David, Linda, Catherine and Moose) singing in glorious harmony. Their varied repertoire ranges from lively chorus songs to lilting ballads, and from medieval times to the modern day, but always with an ear for the English folk tradition. They have proudly supported such luminaries as Martin Carthy, Dave Swarbrick, Chris Wood and Roy Bailey but also enjoy the main stage in their own right. Hailing from East Anglia, Sound Tradition can be found at clubs and festivals across the country – come and join in!
“Four fabulous voices from the East of England who are taking the Folk scene by storm.”
Manifold Folk Gathering
“Powerful and rousing traditional songs with lovely harmonies. Go and see them!”
Pete Morton
“Terrific – glorious harmonies and a fine selection of old and new songs.”
Lewes Saturday Folk Club, East Sussex.
Sound tradition will be performing in the Saturday evening concert and hosting a harmony-focused song session on Saturday morning.
Jon Doran
Jon Doran is a Newcastle-based folk singer and multi-instrumentalist from Gloucestershire. He was a 2019 finalist on BBC Radio 2’s Young Folk Awards and a recent winner of Bromyard Folk Festival’s ‘Future of Folk’ competition.
Jon’s sensitive approach to arranging and performing traditional songs on guitar and Irish bouzouki is often said to draw a likeness with revivalists Nic Jones and Andy Irvine. He has a powerful and intricate accompaniment style but never fails to place the narrative at the forefront of his arrangements. His stories focus on all human experience throughout history, whether that be humorous tales, or woeful retellings of tragic events, Jon never fails to capture the beauty and excitement that lies within traditional music.
Although Jon’s roots lie within the English folk tradition, after a year of studying Norwegian fiddle technique at Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge and six years as one half of the Anglo-Scottish duo, Janice Burns and Jon Doran, Scandinavian and Scottish influences now enrich his playing and teaching.
Jon Doran is that rare kind of musician who is equally happy leading a song with his strong and tuneful voice or backing other musicians with great sensitivity. A true all-rounder, and a lovely person into the bargain. – James Fagan
Jon Doran will be performing in the Saturday evening concert and will lead a workshop on Sunday morning to create a folk choir and produce a performance in three or four part harmony ready for the final ‘Big Sing’.
Nerida Cuddy
We “met” Nerida during lockdown zoom folk sessions and were enchanted by her friendly manner, beautiful voice and well crafted songs. We are delighted that she is able to visit us this summer as an extra guest. She will be performing her songs in an hour-long presentation at the festival base on Saturday morning.
Nerida is a singer songwriter from Central West NSW. Capturing stories in finely crafted lyrics and emotive melodies, she sings from the heart with both a social conscience and a sense of humour.
Nerida Cuddy left her hometown of Sydney as soon as she could, for the open skies and space of western NSW, a stint in country Victoria, finally stopping in Canowindra, central west NSW. For over 25 years, Nerida’s songs have connected her with people from all walks of life. Nerida’s stories-in-song are a well-balanced mix of bittersweet tales of life with tasty lashings of humour, generous and fun. Detailed guitar accompany her warm & passionate voice. She has been described as “a Central West Mary Black”; a “prolific songwriter”, and “a composer & musician with not only an ear for music, but a social conscience and a sense of humour” (ABC Central West).
The Medlars
The Medlars are a folk trio from East Anglia, performing songs and tunes originated and rooted in the folk tradition, revisiting and creating new arrangements of classic English folk songs with a contemporary feel. Alie grew up with the influences of the East Anglian fens in her blood and has been performing and running folk clubs since the mid-1980s. Emma has a classical music background and Tom is a self-taught guitarist, with a wide range of influences from folk to punk. Whilst original influences remain, these have expanded, drawing in ideas from within and outside the tradition. The Medlars have performed at festivals, such as Bobbing Barn, Moira, and Upton, and Folk Clubs including Colchester, Wivenhoe, Hadleigh, Waveney, and The Hoy at Anchor.
The Medlars are Alie Barnes – vocals, Emma Hardy – fiddle/vocals, Tom Hardy guitar/vocals.
The Medlars will be performing in the Saturday evening concert and introducing their approach to song arrangements in a workshop session in the marquee on Sunday morning.
Mossy Christian
Award winning professional musician, singer, and dancer, Mossy Christian specialises in the musical traditions of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. Drawing on a rich and diverse repertoire of traditional dance tunes and folk songs, charting the lives of everyday people, in their work and recreation, from the 1700s to the present day.
Mossy will be performing in the Saturday evening concert as well as the feature spot in the ceilidh and will present a workshop introducing and exploring dance music from Lincolnshire manuscript sources on Saturday morning.
Order your tickets for next year 1st February 2024
