Mark Chadwick and Jeremy Cunningham met in The Eagle, a public house in Brighton known for attracting the more bohemian element of Brighton’s residents, in 1988. Mark had just left local glam-rock act The Soup Dragons (not the 1990s Scottish band The Soup Dragons of the same name) and Jeremy was trying to sell his bass guitar in the pub, having become disillusioned with the music world.

And so the Levellers began their epic musical jouney, influenced by punk and traditional English music., taking their name from the Levellers, a radically democratic faction of Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army; or simply, according to guitarist, Simon Friend, a word they chose from a dictionary.

Levellers are one of the best festival bands around and did a great show at Wychwood 2007, so we are really pleased to welcome the band back to headline our Friday night this year.

It is a little known fact that The Levellers had more gold and platinum selling albums in the 1990s than any other UK band in that decade.

www.levellers.co.uk
www.myspace.com.levellers

Justin Currie is best known as the founder member of Del Amitri. The band formed in 1980 and went on to have several top ten albums in the UK and a top ten single in the states with ‘Roll To Me’.

Justin has created his own brand of showmanship, becoming well known for his dry humour on stage. In 2006 he was a special guest on Tom McRae’s Hotel Cafe Tour. 

Justin Currie and his band will be playing on the main stage on Friday showcasing songs from his eagerly awaited new album ‘The Great War’together with some classics from the Del Amitri archives.

More recently, Justin fronted soul and jazz band Button Up alongside The Proclaimers guitarist Stuart Nisbet. He has also collaborated with Eddi Reader and Colin McIntyre (Mull Historical Society), folk band Blazin’ Fiddles, Kevin and Jim McDermott (Simple Minds). His second solo album ‘The Great War’ is out May 3rd and is being heralded by critics as a classic, building on the acclaim he received for his 2007 debut ‘What Is Love For.’ Fans both old and new are going to love it.

http://www.myspace.com/justincurrie
http://www.justincurrie.co.uk

We also welcome one of the best new bands around, The Leisure Society, whose first single, “The Last of the Melting Snow”, was voted record of the week on the Radcliffe and Maconie Radio 2 show, and also nominated for an Ivor Novello Award. Numerous other accolades have followed their first album.

Formed by Nick Hemming and Christian Hardy, The Leisure Society’s sound is “fragile, beautifully orchestrated and restrained” (The Guardian). The band’s current line-up comprises no fewer than nine members – instruments include double bass, violin, cello, flute, mandolin, glockenspiel, drums, and maracas. Described by The Independent on Sunday as “a uniquely British take on Americana, almost as if Scott Walker or Nick Drake had “gone country”, making music for coal workers rather than cowboys”- judge for yourself as they take to our mainstage on Friday.

www.myspace.com/theleisuresociety
www.theleisuresociety.co.uk

Led by gifted song-writing, impeccable playing, and honeyed harmonies, The Travelling Band’s shimmering blend of cosmic-country-pop, folk, and bar band rock has made them one of the most talked about artists to emerge from the Manchester music scene in many a year. This 6-piece group have built a strong loyal cult of followers in their home city and across the UK.

The Travelling Band recorded their debut album ‘Under The Pavement’ in New York with legendary producers Eric ‘Roscoe’ Amble and Tim Hatfield, (responsible for albums by Steve Earle, Ryan Adams and Regina Spektor). Shimmering, twang-pop melodies and gorgeous harmonies bask in a gentle psychedelia which lends the album an otherworldly glow. The Travelling Band are most at home on stage and were the winners of the 2008 Glastonbury New Talent title, claiming a slot opening the Other Stage.

http://www.myspace.com/thetravellingband

Following the release of a highly successful debut album, The Epstein have spent much of the last 18 months playing all over the UK, including a tour with Canadian low-fi masters, OX. The band have also toured Germany and Holland and performed at various festivals including Eurosonic Rhythm and Blues Festival, Glastonbury and a previous appearance at Wychwood.

6.06pm, an intense instrumental from the first album, also won the band an award for Best Soundtrack at the XDance Adventure Film Festival held in Utah. Huw Stephens made ‘Last of the Charanguistas’ his Album of the week on the Radio 1 introducing show when it was released.

http://www.theepstein.com
http://www.myspace.com/theepstein

Formed in early 2010 the Shackle create a rustic old time sound that conjures up imagery of Mississippi steam boats, seedy show girls and bar room brawls.

Their sound draws influences from Bluegrass, Folk, Celtic and Old time Blues; throwing together guitar, fiddle, banjo, bass, drums and percussion to give the natural ingredients for their contemporary folk music.

High energy live performances and boundless enthusiasm make sure you’ll leave exhausted with their tunes swimming around your head for days after.

Now signed to Kissan Productions, the boys are just about to release their debut EP, with a full length album to follow later in the year.”

Liam Collins – Vocals, Guitar, Organ

Scott McKeon – Fiddle, Banjo, Vocals

James McKeon – Guitar, Vocals

Baz Barwick – Bass, Vocals

Owen Emmanuel – Drums, Cajon, Percussion

JIM LOCKEY & THE SOLEMN SUN

are a country folk punk band from Cheltenham town made up for four lost souls with a passion for politically poetic storytelling.

Whilst beginning its life as a solo project for Jim at the close of 2006, the subsequent years have seen him develop strongly as a songwriter and performer, leading him to recruit a cavalcade of the towns best musical talent (including fellow istf label mate Joe and ex-holloh bandmate Phil) to equal the forthright natures of his influences (Bright Eyes, Billy Bragg, Frank Turner).

The Arcadian Kicks are a fantastic female fronted rock band managed by Jon Brookes (drummer from The Charlatans) and draw inspiration from right across the musical spectrum; whether it be the deep rooted influence of classic rock – Led Zeppelin, Blondie and early Fleetwood Mac – or an affiliation with other groundbreaking contemporary artists who are simultaneously traversing the frontiers of modern music.

They have just finished recording their self financed debut album which was produced & mixed by Mike Chapman (Blondie’s legendary producer of Parallel Lines, Eat To The Beat and Auto American amongst many other hit artists).  He’s been enthusing about the band saying they are the best band he’s worked with since teaming up with Debbie Harry and the boys

Mike Chapman : “I can honestly say that making this record was right up there with the best work I’ve done. Any time you get to work with kids who have their kind of skills, you are reminded on a daily basis of why you got into this business in the first place. I love these kids!!”

You can view a primetime BBC News feature about The Arcadian Kicks which was shown on Midlands Today In March 2010. It includes short interviews with the band & Mike Chapman plus some live footage.

The Arcadian Kicks are proud to announce their debut single, “19 Days”, will be out in July on One Beat Records via EMI. They will be on tour promoting it throughout Spring 2010 climaxing at the Wychwood and Isle Of Wight Festivals in June.

The band have given away the song “Black & White”, as  a free download via the My Band tab on our Facebook page. They also have another track called “I Can’t Sleep” available to download on the Strummerville charity compilation album for Jail Guitar Doors project, “Breaking Rocks” which will be available in June.

http://www.reverbnation.com/thearcadiankicks
http://www.myspace.com/thearcadiankicks

Based in Los Angeles, Tunnelmental Experimental Assembly was set up in 2008 by Cheltenham born Nigel Mitchell. Before settling on a life of rock and roll, Nigel had a career as a jockey and rode a winner at Cheltenham. The band released the single “killing time”, which gained radio play on BBC 6music and their new album ¿teatime? is out now. Tunnelmental are returning to the UK to play at Wychwood and are sure to be odds on favourites with festival goers.

http://www.tunnelmental.com
http://www.myspace.com/tunnelmental

La Heroine claim they “don’t play accurately, any one can play accurately. Sentiment is our forte, meant to fetch, to charm immediately, or to melt or sadden or madden just for a moment…”

Cheltenham based “indie band that burst into our sights with a badly worded e-mail that also lacked any punctuation. No myspace page or demos to speak of at the time, basically just their word they were good. A risk to take but quite possibly the best risk we ever took! Much better than good and way better than their e-mail writing skills! Ballsy Indie at its best…” Simatik Promotion

Formed in late 2009, the Tom Hollister Trio are a driving mix of blues influenced rock punctuated with a tight melodic style. Comprising of Tom Hollister on lead vocals and bass, Chris Buck on guitar and backing vocals and Adam Roberts on drums, the band are a vibrant powerhouse of blistering original material, fusing rock and blues for the soul.

http://tomhollistertrio.com/

BAND MEMBERS

Tom Hollister – Lead Vocals & Bass Guitar

Chris Buck – Guitar & Backing Vocals

Adam Roberts – Drums

Coxon’s Riot, “These are a set of cooler than the cats pyjamas kids that mix their big band brass sounds with deep, fringe bobbing rock riffs to make a noise that you’d have to be a reclusive silence enthusiast not to enjoy.” as said by Modesty Blaise. ‘Something truly fresh’, with a mixture of ‘raucous Ska-Punk’, the best of indie pop and questionable dancing, the boys have been recently signed by local label Kiss My Face Records and been featured on BBC Introducing. Modesty Blaise reckons “their enduringly energetic stage antics and perfect approach to a genre that is all about what they are – raw vitality and fun; bringing with them all the fun of the fair and an undeniable talent.”

http://www.myspace.com/coxonsriot

Ryan & the North Ship began life as Ryan Martin’s solo project. After moving to Cheltenham in September Ryan began gigging on the Cheltenham scene eventually establishing a reputation for his heart felt lyrics, catchy riffs and passionate performances. After four months of solo gigs Ryan managed to recruit the talents of four other Cheltenham musicians, all of whom are well known for their solo work as well as contributing to other bands. After their first gig The North ship signed to new local Indy label Kiss My Face records and will be releasing material over the summer.

http://www.myspace.com/ryanmartin200