We are pleased to announce Justin Currie of Del Amitri to on Friday.
Justin Currie and his band will be playing songs from his eagerly awaited new album ‘The Great War’ (released May 3rd) together with some classics from the Del Amitri archives.
We welcome one of Ireland’s most innovative and exciting bands, Kíla, to the mainstage on Sunday afternoon. Playing together for more than 20 years, Kíla have created their own distinctive style of world music, which has won over audiences around the world through their spectacular live performances. Recently nominated for an Oscar for their music on Bruno Coulais animated feature film, “The Secret of Kells”, these folk legends will also be headlining the St Partick’s day celebrations in Trafalgar Square this year.
6 Day Riot will be taking to the mainstage on Sunday too. The band were named as one of the top 10 “pop picks of 2009” in The Times and their latest single has received National radio play on Radio 1, Radio 2, 6 music and XFM. Tracks from 6 Day Riot’s ‘Have A Plan’ album are also due to be featured on series 4 of Skins.
On the mainstage on Saturday we welcome Goldheart Assembly. This London-based six-piece have only been together for a year, but their immaculate folk-pop choruses have gained them much praise with their debut single selling out in a day. “They take a joyous acoustic beardy bunch of ideas and mess around with them like a cat playing with a ball of string”, Steve Lamacq.
In the Big Top on Saturday will be another rising star, Beth Jeans Houghton, with her alternative blend of experimental folk, Beth has been hailed by the NME as “a Joni Mitchell for the anti-folk generation”. At last year’s Greenman Festival Devendra Banhart invited Beth to play one of her songs during his set on the main stage to an 8000 strong crowd describing her as, ‘very lovely, a musical magician’.
Back by popular demand after his stunning session on Tom Robinson’s stage at Wychwood 2009 is Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer, on a one-man mission to introduce Hip-Hop to the Queen’s English, Mr. B is delighted to present Chap-Hop. Having spent the best part of a decade bringing some manners back to popular culture, this dopiest of fellows will entertain and amuse you with his ingenious stylings.
We also welcome Arcadian Kicks to the Big Top on Friday. The band draw inspiration from right across the musical spectrum fusing old and new styles, giving rise to beautifully crafted pop songs which maintain a rocky and soulful edge. Imagine a concentrated soundscape of relentless rhythm, soaring melody and distinctive harmony colliding into a beautifully balanced and deeply perceptive approach to modern music.
More Comedy
We have another raft of names to announce for the Comedy stage in association with eFestivals.co.uk
Tony Cowards, originally from sleepy Suffolk but now an adopted “cocker-knee”, has been performing his particular brand of hilarity all over the country since 2004. A genial gagster whose material covers a wide spectrum (mostly semi-autobiographical and observational with a pinch of topicality). Tony recently made the breakthrough into TV as a football pundit on “Anglia News”, and appearances on BBC’s Celebrity Scissorhands and “The One Show” and film (in the demanding role of “Comedy Club Customer #2″ in the horror classic “Hellbride”). Tony will be performing on Sunday night.
Ben Davids, hailing from deepest, darkest Tamworth, Ben Davids has established himself as one of the brightest new acts on the circuit in recent years. His act is a barrage of non-stop gags and one-liners that range from the silly to the very silly indeed, and that will provide something a bit different for any comedy night. Ben was a finalist in the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Award, as well as winning ‘Should I Stay Or Should I Go’ Gong Show, Champion’s Final in 2009 and a finalist for the English Comedian of the Year Award 2009. Ben will be performing on Friday night.
Also performing on Friday is Darren Harriott, one of the ‘Brum Pack’ of young, exciting stand-up’s from Birmingham and the West Midlands, who are currently making a great impression in comedy clubs across the UK and on Saturday, Award-Winning Comedian, and star of Paramount’s “The Nathan Caton Show”, Nathan Caton. “Caton’s a slick performer with an unbeatable stage attitude and the confident air of someone much more experienced”, Chortle.
In the Big Top on Sunday you can also see improvisational comedy from The Oxford Imps- reviewed as “the best improvised comedy show I have ever had the pleasure to witness” by Edinburgh Fringe festival magazine. They have extensively toured all over Europe and appeared on BBC2 quiz show Eggheads in 2009. Find out more about the comedy line-up.
Workshops
Once again Wychwood Festival is so much more than great music. We are planning an even more exciting, innovative, interactive and entertaining programme up on ‘The Green’ in 2010 than ever before. Four venues and a big outdoor area bursting with over 100 activities, workshops, shows, demonstrations and crafts for all ages, with an emphasis on the kids. We are especially excited about having English National Ballet involved – expect inspiring dance workshops for budding ballerinas of all ages and abilities based around their 2010 repertoire including Swan Lake and Cinderella.
We’re looking forward to a visit from Justin Fletcher from Cbeebies and we welcome back the Roald Dahl Museum with their storytellers and activities. We don’t know of a festival the size of Wychwood with so many things to try. Find out more about our workshops and events.
Tickets
Less than three months until the next fun packed Wychwood Festival – have you purchased your tickets yet? Please visit our ticket page to purchase yours now! Remember under 10s are free, and we’ve got special prices for 10-15 years olds and concessions too. What’s more if you are thinking of bringing a group to Wychwood we do have a groups discount rate for orders of 10 or more paid tickets – you’ll be entitled to 10% off. For group bookings please call the office direct on 01993 772580.
