Folk Weekend…

Again we went to our annual pilgrimage to a field in Oxfordshire to witness and partake in the revels associated with the TowerseyFestival. As is not unusual for a British Bank Holiday the weather was variable at best but we managed to get the tent up in the dry and found cover when it did get too wet, and on the final day it was gloriously sunny so that we could sit out all day listing to fine music.

We watched many different acts throughout the weekend, many new to us and some we had seen before. There was some rearrangement of the venues, extra performance stages and some additional stalls to tempt us. We did have a bit of an issue with noise neighbours on the site we were on and we should aim to go to a different site next year.

The first few acts acts we saw were new up and coming artists led by Fabian Holland who was a very accomplished performer, then there was Jess Morgan equally talented and Sam Kelly and friends (we bought his EP - You Way Home).

Vin Garbutt is a veteran folk artist and had a lovely dry wit, he was followed by fellow North-Easterners The Unthanks, a couple of sisters who sing divine harmonies accompanied by a virtuoso band.

At the party tent the energetic and eclectic Moulettes(bought their album – Moulettes) gave an exciting show with burlesque undertones.

Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes are tight trio who perform quality tunes with thoughtful politically aware lyrics.

Tickled Pink performed a foot stomping set and guided us around a frantic ceilidah that as a spectator looked at times like a wild fairground ride with invisible bumper cars. 

Eliza Carthy & Martin Carthy are part of a well established folk family that verges on royalty and they gave a great set of traditional songs that was followed by Dave Burland who too has a long history in the folk scene.

The Spooky Men’s Chorale is quite a different kettle of fish. These inscrutable black dressed, hat-wearing antipodean choristers disguise there not inconsiderable harmonic skills behind humorous songs that never fail to bring a smile to our faces.

Home Service is a folk super band from the 70’s, reformed and touring again. Unfortunately for us their songs felt dated and anachronistic, not really our cup of herbal tea.

Mama Rosin were quite a revelation, a trio that was unfortunately missing their accordionist – but John Spiers stepped in and learned the entire set in a few hours. Their Swiss/Cajun/Punk mix of music was full of energy and passion that was impossible to ignore.

Saul Rose & James Delarre were a fine duo and were followed by the bard Gavin Osborn whose songs have a tender humour to them that belies there serious message.

Tyde are fine young a band we have seen before as a three piece, they now have grown in size and musical maturity and are a fabulous outfit.

Gracie Petrie is a passionate woman with an acute political sensibility whose protest songs well observed.

Roy Bailey – with Martin Simpson and family, AndyCutting, Marc Block, The Spooky Men’s Chorale – is like the patriarch of the festival and has been a fixture of the show with many of the audience having grown up listening to his children’s songs and now bring their own children to listen at his feet.

In addition to this we saw many other acts in passing in other tents or out in the market square, notable amongst these was a fabulous little improve theatre act that created an eclectic mobile post office and acted out a touching play with those who visited - The Last Post Show – by the Kilter Theatre was quite amazing, as was the costumes for the Hippochondriac – by the Thingumajic Theatre. A huge mobile hippopotamus ridden/driven/operated by a steam punk clad man as a woman of similar garb guided children into a wonderful fantasy world.

Zulu Tradition were one of the world acts that inspired us with their physicality as did the Kayobi Taiko Drumming group.

There was a Ritual Dance Display offering that showcased several different traditional dance acts such as – Berkshire Bedlam, Ouse Wash Molly, Haddenham Hoofers, Sheffield City Giants (the giants are huge figures that tower over the other dancers).

In between time we took a break from the live music and watched the film, Searching for Sugarman, a touching and inspiring story about the rediscovery of Rodriguez, an iconic musical figure to many South Africans.

Also on the agenda was a visit to the Jam Session at the Three Horseshoes where my uncle and his friends join other musicians to play and sing together in the pub.

Once again we had a wonderful time at the festival and we are looking forward to next year when they have their 50^th year celebrations.