This year’s Priddy Folk Festival will again feature our Fringe Tent featuring an eclectic array of the best of local – and not so local – musical talent. Entry to the Fringe Tent is entirely free to all – including visitors taking in Priddy’s craft market and other free entertainment. No wristbands are required!
Our line up for 2018
For a more, click on the act’s name.
Dave Green
Curiosity and an inability to perfectly tune a guitar inspired David Green to go on an adventure into music that took him all over the world, back in time and deep into the heart of music.
Largely self taught, David’s musical style developed from a million hours of hard work in a shed with a 4-track – learning his creative vocabulary, letting his fingers find their voice and composing harmonic narratives to complement.
Leo James
Leo James is a an English singer, songwriter, guitarist, and music tutor. Drawing influence from past and present musicians from both sides of the Atlantic, Leo has followed his passion for acoustic blues, roots, Americana and folk, and has received tutelage from some notable players along the way.
Leo’s music has been described as a soulful mix of warm husky vocals, intricate finger-style guitar and shimmering slide guitar work accompanying skillfully written songs, and tasteful arrangements of traditional material.
The Publicans
The Publicans are an original 5 piece folk band featuring Paul Amesbury on mandolin, Jon Bull on piano, Craig Palmer on acoustic guitar, Colin Stroud on bass and Simon Lambert on drums and percussion. Some of them even sing! Their songs are a collection of true and outrageously untrue stories that blend Celtic and English folk with a touch of Indie.
Lemon and Paice
The singer/songwriting partnership of Australian Neil Lemon and Brit Angie Paice started over 20 years ago on the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Diamond Bay, Sydney. Having initially formed a band called Rivers & Roads they spent a decade developing their folk-pop sound playing in pubs, hotels, festivals and private functions across Sydney and the state of New South Wales.
Mendip Folk Choir
Mendip Folk Choir is an outstanding community folk choir based in Cheddar lead by Issy Emeney who writes and arranges traditional song especially for her choirs. Their repertoire ranges from folk classics with fabulous choruses to slightly more obscure gems, as well as some Issy originals all beautifully arranged in stunning harmony.
The Spanners
Formed by friends through school to have fun and make music, The Spanners do acoustic covers of songs, inspired by folk music and lively tunes. All self-taught, they perform in our home town in Berkshire at open mic nights and events, encouraged by enthusiastic responses and support from the crowds.
As a young, high-spirited trio, practising between our studies at university, the band experiment with lots of harmonies and different instruments to put their own twist on the songs. After singing in the open mic at Priddy from 2015, they are chuffed to be performing at this year’s festival, and hope to entertain amidst the other goings-on!
Vapor
Returning to Priddy for 2018, Onika Patterson and Mark Venus of Vapor perform the very best acoustic soul and reggae with just a hint of country. With the addition of Tom Selway on Saxophone and Dan Boulter on cajon together they create a unique but authentic sound.
Sarah Curtis
Sarah Curtis is a local singer songwriter from Wells, and has been singing ever since she can remember. Her influences range from Tori Amos, Sandy Denny, Joni Mitchell to Joan Baez, and can be detected in her clear, unique voice.
Sarah has performed at Glastonbury Festival, Chard Women’s Festival, and QEH in London to name a few. Writing songs on guitar, piano and recently the harp, Singing from the heart, Sarah performs mostly original material, with a few well known songs on guitar and possibly debut with the harp.
Cajun Eyez
Cajun Eyez formed 2017 comprises John Trimble on fiddle, mandolin and vocals…Bruce Saunders on bass and vocals. Brian Sacks on rhythm. Pete Stearn on guitar and vocals and Will Southcote on squeezebox and vocals. They play a lively mixture of cajun, Appalachian, Irish, Latin but most of all dance music.
Richard Riley
Richard is a local singer songwriter and consummate guitarist who has played not only with a host of local artists but also with some big names in the music business. He has released a vinyl album of his own work – yes..vinyl! – which we are sure will be available on the day!
Smallfry
Smallfry are not easy to label, nor hung up on genres; They enjoy an eclectic mix of music and perform both their own material and covers. Lead vocals from Irene Cooper are crystal clear and easy on the ear. Irene puts her own spin on some less obvious classics. Expect guitars, bass, cajon, ukulele – and fun!