SOME drink in silence but many of us like to party to the sound of music...especially when we're letting off steam over a long weekend. Which is why we've got around 20 acts playing live at the Middle Earth Beer Fest 2015. We've got a huge variety for the ears, covering all kinds of tastes and fancies, purely for your pleasure while you sample our vast array of great beers.
Blues, folk, Americana, easy listening, party rock, songwriters male and female, lead guitar solos, finger picking and the vast majority of acts playing completely original tunes - bands like Cheating Hearts, The Kausters, Good Foxy and The Remedy, songwriters such as Seamus MacLoughlin and David Jaggs, are well known in Lancashire music circles, especially venues in Blackburn, Clitheroe and Preston.
(all the acts featuring at the beer fest are listed below with a write up and links to their music)
Many of our visitors will be exposed to the performances of these talented Lancashire artists for the first time.We've seen them before and we know they can deliver and we can't wait until the weekend starts (Thursday June the 11th until Sunday June the 14th)!
Those of us who have been involved in these festivals from the start (it's our seventh one) know what to expect. Boisterous laughter, great pies, the occasional bursts of singing and dancing, commemorative mugs, random fancy dress hobbits, and the sensation of temporarily leaving the everyday mundane behind and replacing it with a bit of magic and merriment.
All that to a backdrop of sweet green northern English countryside. Countryside which presumably inspired the writer J R R Tolkien as he resided at nearby Stonyhurst College, close to the village of Hurst Green, in the 1940s, and wrote chapters from the now internationally renowned book Lord of the Rings.
The resulting 21st century film franchise of the Lord of the Rings as a spin off from the book, has (it could be argued) turned into a self contained mini industry in itself. Hence the theme and feel of the festival as a mix of rural reality, fantasy novel and international visual media imagery.
Welcome to the Middle Earth Beer Festival 2015!
And so to the music...for a full comprehensive guide to the sounds awaiting you at the festival click here for the official website http://www.middleearthbeerfestival.co.uk/music.html
In order to catch one of your favourite acts it's best to get there at least an hour beforehand. Then chill out. You can always have a few beers!
Thursday June the 11th
From 6pm Open Mic Session
then Western Valley Hot Club
(£5 entrance fee)
Friday June the 12th
Evening The Purple Tones plus special guests, Lewy Bodies
(£5 entrance fee)
Saturday June the 13th, 12 noon until 12 midnight
(£5 entrance fee)
12pm Intro Mike Kneafsey (of Sweeney Astray),
12.15pm Jono Bond
12.45pm Nyima Murry
1.30pm Mark Duckworth
2.15pm Stuart Swarbrick
3pm tba
3.45pm Skygreen
4.30pm Mog Stanley
5.15pm Corned Beef
6pm David Jaggs (of The Ragamuffins)
6.45pm George Harris and the Memory Makers
715pm Sweeney Astray
8.15pm Seamus MacLoughlin
9pm The Kausters
10pm Cheating Hearts
Sunday June the 14th
(£5 entrance fee)
12.15pm Brett Hamer
1pm Down To Earth
2pm Blanty
3pm The Remedy
4pm Good Foxy
Saturday 12.15pm JONO BOND
Dylanesque songster with his own self penned expressions of fine music and feeling. Jono has been a regular performer in venues such as the Atrium Cafe's Acoustic Sessions in Clitheroe.
To listen to his songs here's a recent demo EP which Jono put on soundcloud. Click on the link.
https://soundcloud.com/jono-bond-1/sets/the-attic-tapes-part-1
Saturday 12.45pm NYIMA
A natural talent, Nyima has her own songs, a distinct, powerful vocal delivery and a charismatic presence on stage. It's no surprise that she's been given recent professional bookings in Lancashire. Catch her set before she moves to London in the Autumn. One to look out for in the future as she carves out her own niche.
https://soundcloud.com/nyimamurry/feeling-good
Saturday 1.30pm MARK DUCKWORTH
This is a link to a video featuring Mark Duckworth with a fantastic original song called "Oceans".
https://youtu.be/pLbSMJG_B-Y
Here's what Mark has to say about his music (Reidys Music in Blackburn) -
"Applying
tales of unique experiences, personal battles, love, loss and hopes of
bringing people together to music laden with flamboyant guitar playing
and soaring vocals.
Songwriting is a catharsis that keeps me somewhere close to sane in a very insane world!
My
influences include: Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Elliott Smith, Jeff
Buckley, Pat Metheny, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, The Smiths and many
more.
Hope you enjoy the music and be sure to check me out at a venue near you soon! Cheers!"
Check more of his music out at the following sites:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/MARK-D...
http://soundcloud.com/markduckworthmusic
http://www.reverbnation.com/markduckw...
Saturday 2.15pm STUART SWARBRICK
Expect to hear some beautiful guitar work from Stuart, a regular performer at the Middle Earth festivals, subtle and well crafted with a sensitive and thoughtful touch to everything he sings and plays. An experienced folk soloist -it's good to have him back!
Saturday 3pm TBA
Saturday 3.45pm SKYGREEN
Psychedelic folk rockers from the wild Lancashire outpost of the village of Chipping, uplifting original tunes from a four piece which is sure to send your soul spinning over the Pennines in a haze of music glory. Perfect with a pint and the mythology of elves and hobbits.
Saturday 4.30pm MOG STANLEY
One Man Rock n Roll Machine. Toe tapping extraordinaire Mog Stanley provides folk electrica blues in the form of self penned originals. Manchester's Mog, will growl and ride out those afternoon riffs for your pleasure with an array of fuzzy licks and distortion. Enjoy.
The Grass Isn't Always Greener - listen to Mog by clicking on the soundcloud link...https://soundcloud.com/mogstanley/the-grass-isnt-always-greener
Saturday 5.15pm CORNED BEEF
So what do folks get up to down the farm in these parts? They rock out in the barns and thrash in the hay! Our friends from Clitheroe and farmhouses beyond combine elements of punk, jazz, ska and prog rock with the nurtured attention to arrangements of true music lovers. And they write a good melody. Heartfelt angry lyrics, thrash riffs and original sounds from these locals with genuine creativity and the ability to rock.
Check out the video...https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Saturday 6pm DAVID JAGGS
Charismatic singer songwriter and energetic front man of the Ragamuffins and not surprisingly a regular festival performer and favourite with the locals. Constant gigging and continual play on BBC Radio over the years has turned this talented songster into a confident pro. Expect wit, charm and a proper tune..
Check out The Ragamuffin's EPs and albums and listen for free on https://theragamuffins.bandcamp.com/
for a full bio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ragamuffins
“Asp Bites” Online Review “I'm not often impressed to the same margin I was when I heard The Ragamuffins via BBC Introducing. They are definitely a band for me, and their "kitchen-sink-drama jangly indie-pop songs" are really appealing. Together with their addiction to cups of tea, their music is close to my heart. It's similar enough to fit into the generically popular 'indie' category that's overwhelmed nowadays, but reasurringly different."
https://youtu.be/X-scqilBoiU
Link to a video of The Ragamuffins - It Never Rains On Mossley Hill (Live outside St George's Hall, Liverpool)
Saturday 6.45pm GEORGE HARRIS & THE MEMORY MAKERS
Folk
George Harris - 6 strings and a voice
Carl Slater - 4 big strings
Jack Rostron - The Bins
Home Town Chorley
Bio
Hailing from Preston, Lancashire, this Folk ‘n’ Roll trio craft beautiful folk country music, combining ear pleasingly melodic hooks with a raw, rootsy stomp, all seamlessly glued together with Georges timeless voice. The backbeat of the songs gravitates towards honest folk based music with a retro blues tint, while George takes inspiration from the shade and the sunshine in life to pen down his thoughts.
Love To The Sea - click on the link to listen and watch George Harris and the Memory Makers
https://youtu.be/Ls1kciDaOB4
Saturday 7.15pm SWEENEY ASTRAY
Acoustic based, indie folk act singing stories in a song. Over the last few years Sweeney and songwriter Mike Kneafsey have supported the likes of Dodgy, Smoke Fairies, Mike Heron (Incredible String Band), John Bramwell (I am Kloot), Travelling Band, Martin Simpson, Miles Hunt (The Wonderstuff), Marc O'Reilly and Midge Ure (Ultravox). They will be closing the final Ribchester Music Festival 2015 on Sunday June 28th. http://www.ribchesterfestival.co.uk/tickets/4588646105
"Mike Kneafsey’s songs are a unique mix of poetic balladry, catchy melody, acoustic songwriter and alt indie folk. Every song tells a story, whether it’s about love and the ocean, backpacking, drinking or fighting in a war. It’s about good music and togetherness.."
Today's line up includes Mike and Anna Ashworth (drums) two of the core trio and The Remedy's Elliott Dryden on electric bass. Elliott plays regularly with Sweeney and recorded and engineered their first single The Rooks of Kathmandu. https://sweeneyastray.bandcamp.com/
To watch them live click on the video link of the song Cafe Rendezvous
Saturday 8.15pm SEAMUS MACLOUGHLIN
https://youtu.be/Bwxz7lGpOB4
Click on this link to watch Seamus MacLoughlin - Could I Be Your Lover
"Seamus Mcloughlin is based in Preston, Lancashire and is a touring singer and songwriter. Seamus has played major venues such as Sheperds Bush Empire in london, to the Rockwood Music Hall in New York and festivals world wide, opening for and playing with bands and artists such as The Alarm, The Wonder Stuff, Andrew Bird, Kasey Chambers, Starsailor, Ocean Colour Scene, Karima Francis, Rae Morris, Mark Geary, and Many Others. He has performed many times at the South by southwest festival in Austin, Texas and at the CMJ conference in New York and has toured the USA extensively. Playing from Los Angeles to NYC from Chicago to Kentucky."
Saturday 9pm THE KAUSTERS
"The Kausters are a Preston-based band consisting of Matthew Gallagher, Hartwig Wienken, and Christian Lees. The band is an extension of their friendship which comes across on stage. Their music has elements of rock, but it’s not rock, elements of blues, but it's not blues, psychedelic, but it's not psych, elements of country, but it's not country, elements of soul, but it's not soul. It‘s everything in between.
The three piece blues influence band are led by Matthew Gallagher (of Victorian Dad and others) on vocals and guitar."
www.myspace.com/
Saturday 10-12pm CHEATING HEARTS
"Cheating Hearts are a local 5-piece bar-room, rock n' roll, country, soul band, Americana band…!! 3 great singers, guitars, mandolins, piano, Hammond organ, loads of harmonies, groovy rhythm section. You name it and they can play it…(probably). Seriously this band can choose from loads of material, from Chuck Berry to Joni Mitchell, Lindisfarne to Steve Earle, The Faces to Bob Dylan and Hank Williams and all points West from there.
Never too loud (well, hardly ever) but loud enough to ensure that everyone has a great night. Members of this band have played with Chuck Berry, Black Grape, Denny Laine, Nico, John Cooper Clarke and Nanci Griffiths amongst many others…
Join us at The Middle Earth Beer Festival for two hours of Country, Soul and Rock n' Roll and more."
TICKETS / ADMISSION £5.00Sunday June the 14th 12pm -5pm
Sunday 12.15pm BRETT HAMER
Blackburn based songwriter with alternative four piece rockers, The Loom, Brett will kick off our Sunday with his own self penned acoustic tracks. Expected strong hearted country alt blues from an experienced performer on the Lancashire music scene.
"Emerging as four burning embers on the East Lancashire landscape are 'The Loom' Unassuming yet effervescent in character, diversely enchanting, capable of lifting the meanness of any spirit with the eclectic(that word again)mix which this collective offers. Vocally soulful, earthly dynamic."
http://www.reverbnation.com/theloom4
Sunday 1pm BLANTY
"Born & bred in Rossendale, Lancashire, Blanty set off travelling with his guitar over 20 years ago & has become (in my opinion) one of the best entertainers around.. He can often be seen playing around East Lancs and Manchester & can easily play for 5+ hrs, he was recently called "Unbreakable Blanty" (due to him never taking a break) he was also called "the human jukebox",a good egg!".... ... He has lots of his own songs & also plays Spanish & Celtic songs & music as well as a never ending stream of ad lib lyric, music and covers when needed, ..."
https://www.facebook.com/Blantymusic/timeline
https://soundcloud.com/blantymusic
Sunday 2pm DOWN TO EARTH
Folk, World, Alternative
Short Description
A vibrant trio with a common love of music, rhythm and nature. A folk/alternative blend of acoustic, voice, drumbeat and the ethereal sound of the Handpan
Bio
One evening in October 2014 Kim Metcalf (Handpan, percussion), Edward Foster (classical guitar, voice) and Filomena Ianni (acoustic guitar, voice, percussion) made the 'accidental' discovery that joining their different sounds, original pieces, ideas and vibes filled them with magic, made them happy and was really fun!
Since then, the duo Eddie and Filo's 'Water & Earth' and Kim Metcalf's 'Play The Space' have came together in what now is Down to Earth: poetry in music, the dreamy ethereal sound of the Handpan, the beat of drums and twinkling of guitars, weaved with vocals and visions and just a love of everything music does to our hearts and soul.
The Magic goes on.Watch them perform live https://youtu.be/28Va5kxxXr4
Sunday 3pm THE REMEDY
modern, acoustic, songwriters
Band Members
Hannah Rose - Vocals and Guitar
Elliott Dryden - Bass
Home Town
North West - Lancashire
Record Label
Unsigned
Short Description
Hannah and Elliott are a local, up and coming, mellow, modern, acoustic duo...
And WINNERS of The Reidys Home Of Music Talent Competition 2013
Long Description
The Remedy are an up and coming, mellow, acoustic duo consisting of singer-songwriter Hannah Spurgeon and creative bass player Elliott Dryden. Formed in and inspired by the picturesque Ribble Valley, The Remedy, who are both 18, won The Reidys Home of Music Talent Competition 2013 playing their own brand of inspiring acoustic music. Described by a local journalist as "tall and skinny and tight and melodic" their self-penned songs are said to be “captivating, carefully crafted and tasteful”. Comments made upon their live appearances include "you took me on a journey that was so beautiful I felt part of the performance" and praise including "they project optimism from the stage".
Sunday 4pm GOOD FOXY
Good Foxy -
TICKETS / ADMISSION £5.00
Western Valley Hot Club, Lewy Bodies, The Purpletones, The Cheating Hearts, Good Foxy, David Jaggs, Mike Kneafsey & Sweeney Astray, Seamus Macloughlin, George Harris and the Memory Makers, Skygreen, Mark Duckworth, The Kausters, Mog Stanley, Nyima Murry, Jono Bond, Blanty and more...
Mike Kneafsey writes and promotes for Industrial Hedgerows and has two other blogs at
https://musicworkersdiary.wordpress.com/
https://sweeneyastraynews.wordpress.com/
He also teaches guitar, hosts events like this one and writes songs and performs solo and with Sweeney Astray. Here's his official website...
https://mikekneafseyguitar.wordpress.com/
Click on the link below to watch the music video of the track "History" filmed in Catalonia with cellist Marta Canellas.
https://youtu.be/xWUK1xSTuGk
Plus don't forget the music on Thursday and Friday
Thursday 11th June 2015 -
(taken from the official website)
Western Valley Hot Club + Open Mic Session from
6.00pm
Great harmonies and instrument changes along
with polished musical virtuosity; Western Valley Hot Club also use their
vibrant and entertaining personalities to create a memorable occasion. Dance
the night away or just watch in admiration…a real feel good factor band.
Western Valley Hot Club are: Gaynor
Sutcliffe, Lead & Harmony Vocals, Violin, Piano
& Accordion.
Simon Brady, Lead
& Harmony Vocals, Guitar,Mandolin, Lap Steel. Ray
Walmsley Double Bass.
ADMISSION /TICKETS £5
Friday 12th June 2015 -
The Purpletones + Special Guests; Lewy Bodies
Lewy Bodies is a new
and very exciting alternative indie band from Manchester. Big things are
expected and you can be there to watch it happen.
The Purpletones -
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