Ahead of our return to the amazing surrounds of the Woodford Folk Festival this weekend, we’re counting down the 7 artists we reckon you can’t miss at the iconic event. But with hundreds of performances, talks and events that run through the mammoth event, this barely scratches the surface…
7. Olivia Chaney
Described as a ‘quintessentially English Joni Mitchell’, Olivia is one of the greatest new voices in English folk. An accomplished lyricist and multi-instrumentalist, Olivia is signed to iconic US label Nonesuch Records, home to Laurie Anderson, Emmylou Harris and Joni Mitchell herself.
Wed 31st Dec: 3:00pm Grande
Thu 1st Jan: 6:30pm Concert
6. Bertie Blackman
Bertie Blackman first began to turn heads with her sophomore album Black in 2006. After kickstarting a groundswell she capitalised with the 2009 follow-up Secrets And Lies. Bertie is now showcasing her latest long-player, as well as a new sound typified by pop anthems and sly torch songs filtered through a hazy 80s prism.
Sat 27th Dec: 8:30pm Amphi
5. Kristina Olsen
An award-winning songwriter with a big bluesy voice that ranges across lilting ballads, swing, jazz and ‘raunch and roll’, Kristina has added author to her quiver with the release of They Paid Us in Tub Time.
Sat 27th Dec: 12:30pm Concert
Sun 28th Dec: 10:00am Bluestown
Mon 29th Dec: 4:00pm Bluestown
Wed 31st Dec: 11:00pm Concert
Thu 1st Jan: 11:00am Concert
Thu 1st Jan: 12:30pm Dancehall
Kristina will also be a part of the daily 9am event, FYI With Martin Pearson in Small Hall.
4. Hiatus Kaiyote
The music of Hiatus Kaiyote strikes the perfect note, merging poetry and polyrhythms. On their debut album Tawk Tomahawk, it’s as if the vast desert landscape has opened up, borrowing ingredients from far-reaching lands to concoct a distinctive flavour that is the essence of all its parts.
Mon 29th Dec: 6:50pm Grande
Tue 30th Dec: 8:00pm Amphi
3. Mr. Percival
This man can walk into a space and fill everyone with the confidence they need to join him in song. His workshops and the creation of spontaneous choirs have earned him a glowing reputation as an artist of pure imagination and skill.
Sat 27th Dec: 10:30am Bazaar
Sat 27th Dec: 6:15pm Concert
Sun 28th Dec: 10:30am Bazaar
Sun 28th Dec: 11:30pm Concert
Mon 29th Dec: 10:30am Bazaar
2. Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes formed in 1981 as an acoustic punk band playing on the streets of Milwaukee. Their main influences at that time were Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps, and The Velvet Underground. Their goal was to rock harder than any other acoustic act on the planet. Violent Femmes are currently touring in commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of the release of their first album. Their eponymous first album became the first and only album in Billboard history to enter the charts as a platinum album, eight years after its release.
Sat 27th Dec: 10:00pm Amphi
1. Archie Roach
Archie is one of Australia’s most beloved, respected and admired Aboriginal singer/songwriters. The venerable and dignified performer captured the hearts and minds of a nation in 1990 with Charcoal Lane and the landmark song Took The Children Away with a voice and sensibility that has become this country’s most important song line.
Mon 29th Dec: 8:00pm Amphi
Tue 30th Dec: 11:00am Songlines
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Woodford kicks off tomorrow, December 27th, and runs until January 1st. For tickets, the full line up and scheduling details, head to: http://www.woodfordfolkfestival.com/
Article collated by Larry Heath. Biography notes from Woodford. Choices by Philippe Perez.
