The Line-Up
Buffo’s Wake
Buffo’s Wake is a twelve-legged beast, hatched in the murky backwater of Brighton, UK. Armed with accordions, violins and a bucket full of gusto they waltz, tango, mosh and kolo their way through a vast array of influences from Eastern European, Balkan and Russian folk, to punk rock and cabaret, telling tales of debauchery, deformity, zombies, incest and anatomy and making audiences dance late into the night in the process.
Musical schizophrenics, drawing from diverse backgrounds ranging from Drum n’ Bass DJ’s to classically trained string players, punks to funk players and poets to showmen, you’re never quite sure what to expect next from Buffo’s Wake.
In their time together, they have toured all over the world, finding an inspired, confused, sweaty, and often very drunk reception everywhere they go.
Gypsy, Balkan and Klezmer Carnival Punks – with influences from Abba to Zappa, Buffo’s Wake are guaranteed to leave you dancing like a man possessed!
The Cabarats
The Cabarats bring a new musical experience to the global underground, combining traditional Balkan and Middle Eastern sounds with lively reggae and ska. Using a collection of intriguing instruments such as accordion, oud, keyboard and brass, the band have dazzled a wide range of audiences from festival crowds and stages at iconic venues to private functions and community events. After the successful release of their debut album 'Out of the Bag', the last two years have been an exciting journey for the rats. The band appeared on one of the main stages at Boomtown Fair and gained the attention of BBC Introducing, performing on their stage at Looe Saves the Day.
The Cabarats have had the pleasure of supporting renowned acts such as Dubioza Kollectiv, Tankus the Henge, The Undercover Hippy, and Cut Capers as well as headlining their own shows across the nation and embarking on various European adventures. Once again, The Cabarats set out to share their magic at festivals, venues, parties and even a few street corners
DEMI MARINNER
Demi Marriner is a songwriter well worth keeping track of. Her passion and emotion are so contagious, it is almost impossible to not be captivated from the offset. Whether she’s pouring out her heart in an intimate solo shows, or kicking down the doors with her incredible backing band, Demi knows how to impress. Winner of the Whispering Bob Harris' Emerging Artist Award at the 2021 UK Americana Awards, Demi released her highly anticipated debut record 'The Things We Didn't Say' in July 2023 which has received much acclaim. With endorsements from Whispering Bob Harris, Under The Apple Tree, Chris Difford, The House Of Songs and AMA UK, Demi is no doubt an artist to look out for.
Following a successful debut EP 'Tracks and Trails', and follow up EP 'Dandelion' reaching numbers 1 and 2 respectively in the iTunes UK Country Album Charts, the songstress' boots have travelled across the UK, Europe and USA and have already graced many a great stage, including performances at Americana Fest Nashville, Wilderness Festival, Beardy Folk Festival, Wychwood Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival and Countryfile Live to name a few. She has also been invited to perform with Rufus Wainwright, Guy Chambers, Sam Outlaw, Jarrod Dickenson, Jon Gomm, Wildwood Kin, Ferris & Sylvester, Elles Bailey, Cattle and Cane, Tia McGraff, BJ Barham and many many more.
The Outcast Band
Raw emotion is the proud currency of this six-piece indie folk- rock outfit from Stroud. Gutsy vocals driven by hard guitars, mandolin, violin, accordion and drums suggest echoes of the legendary folk-rock greats, yet boast a uniqueness that’s making them a rousing festival favourite with their growing army of fans.
One of the festival circuit’s most interesting offerings, the band have enjoyed some notable achievements including:
Saturday night main stage performances at Wychwood, Guilfest and Wickham
Reaching No. 2 in the Amazon pre-order chart with their latest album ‘The Longest Mile’ (Distributed by Universal, produced by Phil Tennant)
Featured plays on BBC Radio 2.
With songs such as Hurricane Day (“epic”- Classic Rock Society) and The Garden Song (“a beautiful wall of sound” – Get Ready To Rock) the band hold nothing back.
The lyrical narrative of the songs, both stark and compelling, tells stories of struggles with the extremes of emotion and, although characterised by a distinct lack of optimism, there are “glimpses of stars from the gutter” – R2 Magazine.
Ready your ears...
Megan Linford
Megan Linford is a roots musician whose calming, heartfelt sound is perfect for any audience. With ten years of performing under her belt, she has a deep understanding of the beauty of folk music, and her unique style is sure to inspire you. Drawing inspiration from the Earth, the rhythm and the pulse of everyday life, Megans music dips in and out of; Folk, Americana, Roots and Soul. Megan has supported folk artists such as The Oyster Band, Flossy Mallavaile, Emily Barker and Marry Waterson, Dan Bettridge and Luke Jackson. Having the privlige of playing many famous venues and Festivals such as; Victorious Festival, Wickham Festival, The Wedgewood Rooms, the Brook, Sebright arms - London, Castle Hotel - Manchester, The Pottery - Farnham and many more.
"An independent, DIY artist whose recent project is a collection of home recorded and self-produced songs, ‘Isolation Tapes‘ is a release that everyone on the planet will surely relate to in someway. Armed with a soulful folk voice, Megan’s vibrato is sent from the heavens and could easily challenge some of the great vocalists out there at the moment." - RGM Press Magazine (Dec, 2020)
The Big Sky
‘The Big Sky are a genre defying electronica duo from Chichester. Their debut EP ‘Taiwan’ was critically acclaimed, and following it’s release they toured the South Coast of England culminating in two shows at Glastonbury Festival in 2019 and 2022, where they headlined Toad Hall.
Their sound is rooted in complex layers of synthesised ambience which build from tender, initially vulnerable songs about loss and love into driving dance anthems that pulsate with defiance.
‘The Big Sky are as expansive as they are introspective, as organic as they are electronic and as familiar as they are jarring. It shouldn’t really work but, well, it just does!’ - Listen with Monger (www.listenwithmonger.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-big-sky-ep-review.html)
Rob Johnston
Rob Johnston is a unique guitarist who blends his brilliant technique with different playing styles and influences. He is part of an evolving tradition of acoustic guitar playing drawing on a classical background as well as world and folk roots. His guitar compositions and songs explore unusual musical territory always evading comparison or familiarity. Rob has played at major acoustic festivals and Art centres and has performed live on BBC radio several times
“Rob Johnston is a guitar player of supreme quality as the sound he generates from just a steel stringed guitar is astounding.. Awesome guitar technique…. Johnston isn't just a high-class guitarist but a fine singer-songwriter as well.” Folking.com
"..confident and joyous ..fluid and reflective (and appropriately reminiscent of Martin Simpson without being cloned)..Such individual, engaging and assured playing is always a pleasure to listen to." Folk-on-Tap Magazine.
Emilie Lierre
Emilie Lierre is a singer/songwriter born in Salford, raised in Portsmouth, with a unique sound.
While busking around Australia, Emilie was spotted on the streets and asked to appear on ABC radio in Sydney, and also Triple R radio in Melbourne. She was noticed for her low tones and soulful sounds. Performing original and cover songs. Some of her influences include Stevie Nicks, Tracy Chapman, Janis Joplin, George Micheal, David Bowie
After a brilliant set at Compton 2023 Emilie is back this year to perform more of her amazing songs!
Paul McCaffrey
Paul has completed two sell-out tours of the UK with Sean Lock on his Keep It Light tour in 2017, and more recently toured with Kevin Bridges on his record-breaking Brand New tour in 2018. He has performed two solo tours of his own, Suburban Legend in 2018, and Lemon in 2020/21.
In 2019 Paul made his debut on the flagship BBC stand-up show Live at the Apollo. He previously has starred in BBC Three’s Impractical Jokers and Russell Howard’s Good News, Comedy Central’s Stand Up Central, Channel 4’s 50 Funniest, and CBBC’s The Dog Ate My Homework.
Quotes:
‘‘Charm, charisma and success written all over him’’ - The Evening Standard
Tom Deacon
Tom Deacon’s solid stage presence and slick timing led to him support Doc Brown and Katherine Ryan on tour.
With several critically-acclaimed, sold-out, solo shows, Tom has appeared at the world’s biggest festivals, including Glastonbury, Reading, Leeds, V Fest, Latitude, the Edinburgh Festival, the New Zealand Comedy Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
An accomplished radio presenter with his own radio shows on BBC Radio 1 and Capital FM, Tom’s TV appearances include appeared The Rob Brydon Show (BBC Two), Dave’s One Night Stand (Dave) and Edinburgh and Beyond (Comedy Central).
Quotes:
"A mighty fine comic" - The Guardian
Tash Hills
With influences like Chaka Khan, Quincy Jones, George Benson and Marvin Gaye (to name but a few), it’s obvious that Tash Hills would be filled with funk! Since 2020 she has released 9 singles and been featured on 3 Spotify editorials. 2022 highlights include playing the Isle of Wight festival, supporting ‘The Feeling’, ‘Toploader’ and the ‘Secret Night Gang. 2023 so far has seen Tash supporting global Hip Hop trailblazers ‘Arrested Development’, a return to the Isle of Wight Festival and a Sofar sounds performance. This summer saw Tash supporting Nu-Funk artist Jafunk at the Hootananny Brixton and a Friday afternoon slot at the Acoustic Stage, Victorious Festival
SuperStrings
Take Jon Wigg’s sizzlin fiddle, season with a twist of tasty guitar licks from Dave Soothill, add-in some of Trevor Britton’s Chilli-Bass sauce and you’ve got a recipe for something hot!
The Superstrings Trio present a lively, versatile and entertaining repertoire with an authentic twist on Hot Club, Gypsy Jazz, Swing, Bluegrass, Folk and Blues music.
Geet Chawla
Dark, deadpan and bringing out thoughts from the shadiest caverns of her mind, Geet makes no effort to downplay any of the crass embellishments of her life so far. A regular on the London scene, she has also graced crowds in Sweden and the US. She doesn’t come with a trigger warning so get ready.
Chichester Fringe New Act of the Year Finalist 2023
Quotes:
“Dark, mischievous and very funny” – Epic Comedy
Elaine FEllows
Elaine Fellows is one of the brightest new comics on the circuit. Originally from Southport but now living in Brighton, she’s bringing her Northern nonsense to the South.
She was recently tour support for Colin Hoult’s ‘Death of Anna Mann’ Tour. Accolades include: Komedia Comedy Award Finalist 2023. Hastings Newcomer of the Year Runner Up 2022. 2Northdown Comedy Finalist 2022. South Coast Comedian of the Year Finalist 2022.
Quotes:
“Absolutely fantastic. A star in the making” - Brighton Grin