Happy Mondays were at the heart of the Manchester music scene and personified the 1980s rave culture. The band fused indie pop guitars with a rhythmic style that owed much to house music, funk, and northern soul. Much of their music was remixed by popular DJs. The band split in 1993 and re-formed in 2004 before releasing the album Uncle Dysfunktional.

We welcome Shaun Ryder, and bandmates with their nineties anthems such as ‘Madchester Rave On’, ‘Step On’, ‘Kinky Afro’, and ‘Stinkin, Thinkin’, to the Main Stage, presenting a best of show plus some new material. Fresh from a very well received tour of the States and Canada before Chrismas and with their mix of indie, psychedelic rock, and dance music it’s sure to be a memorable night!

www.happymondaysonline.com

www.myspace.com/happymondaysonline

Lightning Seeds classics include the hits Pure, The Life of Riley, Sense, Lucky You, Change, Marvellous, Perfect, Sugar Coated Iceberg, You Showed Me and of course the England World Cup anthem Three Lions. The band have been hailed as the perfect pop project.

After an absence of ten years, Ian Broudie returned with a new Lightning Seeds album last year. Wrapped in melody and full of the kind of timeless emotional depth we’ve come to expect from him, ‘Four Winds’ is both uplifting and thought provoking. It’s a beautiful album that strikes a warm fuzzy familiar chord while managing to reach a new musical maturity.

http://www.lightning-seeds.co.uk/
http://www.myspace.com/theofficiallightningseeds

Toumani Diabaté is the outstanding Kora virtuoso of his generation, a musician with the visionary genius to exert a profound influence already having made an impact on the likes of Björk and Damon Albarn and those at the more adventurous end of the rock spectrum. Not only that, but he can trace his family back through 71 generations of kora players from father to son!

Numerous awards and accolades have been bestowed on Toumani; his duets album ‘In the Heart of the Moon’ recorded with the great Ali Farka Touré, won the Best Traditional World Music Album GRAMMY Award; Toumani was part of Damon Albarn’s ‘Mali Music’ project, featured on Kasse Mady Diabaté’s 2004 Grammy nominated album “Kassi Kasse”, and in 2007 he featured on the track ‘Hope’ on Björk’s album ‘Volta’ leading to an inspired guest appearance on her set at the Glastonbury Festival.

Toumani was nominated for another GRAMMY Award and an NAACP Image Award for ‘The Mandé Variations’.

Throughout Toumani’s career, each of the albums he has released are distinctly unique and highlight his diversity as a musician.  This is indeed what Toumani is so good at – bringing together the old and new in timeless beautiful music, the very best that Africa has.

“Melodies ripple and splash like waterfalls, or spiral upwards like sparks from a campfire. Like all virtuosos, Diabaté makes the ability of one human being to produce such multi-dimensional music seem like something close to sorcery”.

We welcome Toumani to Wychwood on Saturday.

www.myspace.com/toumanidiabate

In 2010 we’ll be welcoming 2 Tone favourites Pauline Black and The Selector to the mainstage on Saturday.   Pauline Black has been described by Rolling Stone Magazine as having the best voice that ever graced a 2-tone release, blessed with a bewitching soprano and dramatic panache.   Best known for Top 10 singles like “Gangsters vs. The Selecter” and “On My Radio”, they are guaranteed to get you dancing!

www.myspace.com/paulineblack

Performing on Saturday will be 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 years 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’.

Since her first performance in 2006 Beth has played alongside Imogen Heap, Fionn Regan, King Creosote, St Vincent, Jack Savoretti and Stephen Fretwell. At last years 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’.

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

On the main stage on Saturday we welcome London-based six-piece Goldheart Assembly. The band have only been together for just over a year, but their immaculate folk-pop choruses have already gained them much praise. Their debut single sold out in a day and gained them widespread BBC radio airplay, an NME feature and triumphant shows at Glastonbury, V Festival, Latitude and the Carling Weekend. Goldheart Assembly played at Wychwood last year and we are delighted to have them back.

“They take a joyous acoustic beardy bunch of ideas and mess around with them like a cat playing with a ball of string. Already you could easily put them out on tour supporting Fleet Foxes or The Low Anthem.” Steve Lamacq

http://www.goldheartassembly.com
http://www.myspace.com/goldheartassembly

Lucinda Belle was first spotted last year as a backing singer and harpist for Robbie Williams. BBC Radio 1 DJ Fearne Cotton noticed Belle playing with Williams at the BBC Electric Proms and invited her on to the show, which in turn led to a record deal. Now the singer-songwriter is putting her family laundrette business up for sale to focus on her music. She has recorded and toured with Annie Lennox, The Pet Shop Boys and Rufus Wainwright and has been compared to Norah Jones and Madeleine Peyroux.

Belle’s first release will feature her eight-piece band, The Lucinda Belle Orchestra – combining clarinet, double bass, drums, guitar, harp, harmonium, horns, melodica, strings and ukulele. The songs transcend boundaries, taking the harp away from it’s classical expectations, fusing it with rootsy, gypsy, southern gospel and jazz influences to produce an exciting new sound. Drawing influences from artists such as Harpo Marx, Doris Day and Gladys Knight, Lucinda’s musical journey is a reflection of her life, drawing her into different worlds.

http://www.myspace.com/lucindabelleorchestra
http://www.thelbo.com/

John Otway has released numerous albums and a popular autobiography. In 1998, 4000 fans gathered to celebrate his birthday at the Royal Albert Hall. His lyric “Beware of the Flowers Cause I’m Sure They’re Going to Get You Yeah” was voted the seventh greatest lyric of all time in a BBC poll. In 2002 his song “Bunsen Burner” reached number nine in the UK Singles Chart and earned Otway an appearance on Top Of The Pops.

John has built a large cult following, attracted by his surreal sense of humour and the manic energy he puts in to his live performances.

http://www.johnotway.com

Senegalese master musician Jali Fily Cissokho plays the 21 string West African kora / harp. Jali Fily comes from a family of musicians, the skills and traditions passed down from generation to generation. Yet, as a citizen of 21st Century, he is also attuned to the rhythms of the present and future, creating a unique natural musical blend that spans centuries and continents.

His performances range from solo traditional Mande music and song to rocking electro- kora with his Coute Diomboulou Band. His repertoire, now expanded whilst working with other musicians, shows his versatility as a performer and composer, able to cross boundaries from classical to rock with his extraordinary talent. He has just finished a recording session with top Bollywood music producer and composer A R Rahman (double oscar winner for Slumdog Millionaire). Jali Fily Cissokho’s new solo CD is set to be released in July 2010.

http://www.myspace/jalifilycissokho

Piney Gir has collaborated with Simple Kid, Trademark, The Black Madonnas has supported Erasure on a month long European tour. A regular performer at the Truck Festival, Piney Gir has also played at Glastonbury, Big Chill and Bestival and she recorded a session for DJ Mark Radcliffe on Radio 2.

The album Hold Yer Horses was selected as one of the top five albums of the year by Phill Jupitus in his music column for the Radio Times magazine, stating that “the stomp and twang of these songs of love and life are unmissable”.

Piney Gir returns to the musical fray with her most accomplished album to date, The Yearling. An ambitious and darling blend of her inspired songwriting and deft way with genre, The Yearling combines delicate heartbreak folk with straight to the bop pop, whilst plying her way with a campfire narrative and an eye for a great story about the wanderings of the heart.

http://www.pineygir.com
http://www.myspace.com/pineygir

Also, the latest signing from the David Gray/Damien Rice camp, we welcome John Smith;a dazzlingly inventive guitarist, with lightning-fast fingerpicking and jaw-droppingly unconventional percussive techniques. Brought up on a diet of Muddy Waters, Ry Cooder and Paul Simon, John has toured with the likes of John Martyn, Martin Carthy and Martin Simpson, and supported Jools Holland and David Gray.

www.myspace.com/johnacousticsmith

Welsh Folk-fusion band One String Loose have been exciting audiences around the UK and Europe with their complex, dynamic arrangements of traditional and self penned tunes, performed with jawdropping virtuosity and infectious joie de vivre, and have playing ability well in advance of their years- Their innovative style of folk – fusion has been captivating all manner of people: fellow musicians, casual listeners, purists, grandmothers, teenagers and gyrating hippies.

One String Loose began as a two piece band seven years ago when Scott (fiddle, banjo) and Jack (bodhran – 2 times All Britain bodhran champion) from Caldicot (now 21 and 16 respectively) came together to play tunes through a local Celtic music and dance group. As this group evolved within the Newport branch of Comhaltas, the widened musical net brought them into contact with Joe (16) from Weston, who impressed them with his extraordinary whistle playing.

In 2005, the band played at the Royal Albert Hall ‘Schools Proms’ after winning 2 awards for outstanding performance and best new composition at the National Festival for Youth Music. Mathew ‘Baz’ Barwick (16) became the fourth member on bass guitar soon after this, both learning and fitting in with the music surreally quickly. Recently, in early 2008, Mike Griffiths joined the group on the drums, adding the craved ‘full band’ sound, and in the same year they reached the finals of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards.

Guaranteed to get you dancing, we welcome the boys to Wychwood on Saturday.

http://www.myspace.com/onestringloose
http://www.onestringloose.com

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 dopest of fellows will entertain and amuse you with his ingenious stylings.

Aiming to dazzle with dignity, Mr. B takes to the stage with his Banjolele and stiff upper lip to perform ditties of pipe-smoking, high society, Cricket and sexual misadventure, as well as some more well-known pieces from the world of Hip-Hop, re-worked in true Chap-Hop fashion.

‘Pure genius’- Tom Robinson, BBC 6Music

http://www.myspace.com/mrbthegentlemanrhymer

The Outcast Band are an alternative roots-rock band from Stroud.
Their songs comprise a high-energy mix of gritty electric guitar, violin and intense lyrics.

Renowned for their energetic live shows the band have recently delivered acclaimed performances at Guilfest, Monmouth festival and The Acoustic Festival of Great Britain as well as a 52-date tour of universities in the UK and a number of European festivals.

2010 is set to be one of the bands busiest and most exciting years. Having signed to a new label, the band are in the process of recording their third studio album with producer Phil Tennant (Waterboys, Levellers, Saw Doctors) at the legendary Rockfield studios in Monmouth. The album, entitled “The Longest Mile”, is due for release later this year.

http://www.outcastband.com/
http://www.myspace.com/theoutcastband

Rob Cowen & The Dissidents create infectious, impassioned epic folk that comes straight from this country’s heartlands. Their debut single ‘Heartache’ smashed its way onto Radio 1, Xfm and 6Music, with support from Huw Stephens, Kissy Sell Out, Bethan Elfyn, and Tom Robinson.

Just as folk music has always been used to spread news through song Rob Cowen & The Dissidents write anthemic tunes that hold a mirror to the world with heartbreaking poetic accuracy. Growing ranks at thier live shows have been treated to jaw-dropping, passionate performances of righteous rock ‘n’ roll ripped through with raw emotion and depth, earning comparisons with Arcade Fire, Bruce Springsteen, The Killers, Elbow and Neil Young.

“Excellent, creative and fully-fashioned songwritting” – Q Magazine ****

“A rollercoaster across the English landscape seen through a poet’s heart” – BBC Radio 2

http://www.myspace.com/robcowen

Men Diamler is a young man with a cult reputation in the South West who will not be tamed by the powers that be, reconfiguring a English/Welsh soul music through woozy operatics and wild and weird song/stories. Sweet and darkness have never sounded so close or so intense in such performer. He has supported Billy Childish, Scout Niblett, Tony Allen, and Alasdair Roberts but despite his tender age he is a channel for old thyme ways – footstompin’ blues, two string serenades, backwoods drinking hollers, horse play and pagan folk all get exorcised. Psychosis never sounded this good and people clap.

http://www.myspace.com/mendiamler

This Liverpool based four piece rock band play hard-edged progressive rock which has been compared to early Genesis and Foo Fighters. Following their successful performance at the festival last year we are delighted to invite them back.

http://www.myspace.com/sleepinwiththefishes

Four down-to-earth lads who live for music, subway and the ladies are busy representing everything that’s mainstream in Gloucestershire. The Crowd are another amazing talent from the valleys. Interesting, up-beat, and sometimes acoustic, these four youths are at the fore front of modern indie-pop-rock, and have already created quite a stir in their home town of Stroud. Recognised by Steve Lemacq of the BBC in 2008, The Crowd are making a name for themselves and adopting quite a following.

The band have already landed a number of top support slots, playing alongside bands such as dan le sac vs scroobius pip. They are set to play along side Stroud legends Pendragon, who are returning home during their tour in May. A handful of varying influences such as Bloc Party, Elton John, The Libertines and Bjork has mixed up some ear catching tracks made for all kinds of play, from festivals to bedrooms to bars and clubs. Give them a listen, and again, and again…and maybe again. I know you’ll want to.

http://www.myspace.com/crowdband

Alexander John plays Blues, Slide Guitar, Gospel and Country

with the hottest gravel ash vocals this side of your nearest volcano,

from the deepest swamp lands of the Mississippi Delta.

http://www.alexanderjohn.com

Playing gigs and writing for nearly two years, studying at sixth form at the moment, influenced by artists such as Laura Marling and Florence & the Machine to Edith Piaf and Ella Fitzgerald.

http://www.myspace.com/amyspencermusic

Twenty-four year old Joe Summers is a true folk troubadour, devoid of any pretense, a diamond in the rough of today’s saturated music scenes. With his feet firmly placed in the roots of the music he adores, Summers constructs his narratives and melodies like the greats. Taking influence from the likes of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Jeff Buckley his song-writing blends these artists’ ideals together to create an amalgamation of folk-rock heritage coupled with a vocal so wistfully engaging you’ll feel you’ve been transported back to the very heart of singer songwriter royalty.

Following a few hard working years doing the rounds as supporting musician to many projects and sampling the delights of Midlands living, it was his move to Cheltenham town and the development of his sound which has has led him to follow in the footsteps of, and share stages with artists such as Pete Doherty, Johnny Flynn, Frank Turner and Fyfe Dangerfield (Guillemots).

Usually the lead singer of Gloucester based indie-rock two-piece Candidates, Gareth Candidate has recently started showcasing his more sensitive side as well, with his Beirut and Sufjan Stevens influenced nu-folk, described by The Fly as “Charming…well worth checking out.”

http://www.myspace.com/garethcandidate