The reviews are in! Find out what people had to say about Wychwood 2010:
I’ve been coming to Wychwood as a punter since 2007. Why? Because it’s 50mins down the road, I love most of the music and the people that go and the sun always shines.
I’d covered some of last year’s event for a world music programme and enjoyed the process, so that when I spotted an opportunity to create a package of social media coverage via a company I’m affiliated to called Voice I jumped at the chance of attending all 3 days.
I’m a chatty bloke with a big mouth so I thought the best thing I could do was spend my time doing some short interviews with that would hopefully create a verbal sense of what it’s like to attend my favourite live music event.
I’m not one to write lots (mainly because the spell check would go into meltdown) so what follows are some chats I had with comedians Nick Page and Silky (my Parkinson/Emu moment) and promoter Andi Currie and musicians including the wonderful Nick Hemming from The Leisure Society, singer/songwriter Noush Skaugen who has over 1million Twitter followers, my favourite Oxfordshire band The Epstein, the far too young to be that good Kill It Kid and brooding solo artists Daisy Chapman and Matthew Kilford.
I have also got to make mention of Tony and his band The Ukuholics. Not only did they run some great workshops, but also provided one of my best festival moments by busking late into the night on the Friday.
Not wanting to just mix it with the ‘celebs’ I also talked to some of the behind the scenes people who help Wychwood run so smoothly like Paddy the Deputy Steward Manager and Kevin from Box Steam Brewery.
Finally I managed to squeeze in some questions for the guys on the RSPB stand and had a lovely talk over breakfast on the Sunday with
Danny, Abby and their mum Catherine who are Wychwood regulars.
For those of you that went this year I hope these chats reflect your experiences and if you’ve never been I hope they inspire you to go next year.
BARAKA is a World Music Band based in Bristol, which takes as its inspiration the music of West Africa, South Africa, The Caribbean and Ireland, to produce its own unique and original sound. The result is a heady mix of global beats, intricate rhythms and soaring melodies. Featuring Ben Baddoo on Percussion and Balafon; Paul Bradley on Guitar; Royston Gage on Bass; Mark Bradley on Drums; Brendan Whitmore on Sax; and regular guest – Modou Cissoko from Senegal on Kora and Djembe, BARAKA brings a wonderful mix of cultural and musical influences to bear. Since their formation BARAKA have delighted audiences all over the country, as well as visits to Ireland and mainland Europe. BARAKA have recently filmed a cameo for Channel 4′s “SKINS”, playing the part of an African band backing a gospel choir. As well as Moudou Cissoko writing a song for one of the featured characters to sing, BARAKA wrote, arranged and performed the gospel song featured in the episode.
BARAKAÂ is a professional, independent, original, multi-cultural, multi-racial band with no affiliations to big business – so we have no incentives to offer except brilliant music. (Well, we might have t-shirts next year) So if you would like an high energy mixture of Hi-life, Township, Soca, Soukous, Calypso and Reggae, BARAKA is the one!!
VENUE MAGAZINE Bristol – 8th November 2009 – “Soon the sunshiney African chiming of Baraka warms the hall, fudgy bass bumping beneath iridescent kora and hand blurring percussion. It’s a blue-skied blend of calypso, gentle reggae, jazzy highlife and lilting soca.”
Brendan: This is our first time at Wychwood, but we have heard so many good things about it. You should really ask me after we’ve performed.
Brendan: Fun
Brendan: All our forthcoming performances are listed on our website (see below). Our plans for 2010 are to keep performing wherever and whenever we can.
Brendan: Again, details on our website – listed below.
Brendan: Every performance is unique, and I enjoy them all.
Brendan: Personally, Guinness. For the rest of the band – buy them all a Guinness – if they don’t want them, I will have them all (after the performance of course)
Brendan: There are activities apart from music?
Brendan: www.barakamusic.co.uk www.myspace.com/baraka2
Syl: Thank you!
Syl: Why are you getting involved in Wychwood Festival?
6 Day Riot:We have always wanted to play the festival and we can’t wait to play this year, there are a couple of bands that we are good friends with that are also playing, so that should make it even more fun.
Syl: What are you expecting from the performance at Wychwood Festival?
6 Day Riot: Hopefully a sunny day, with a crowd that are ready to dance with us and that will enjoy us warming them up for the rest of the day
Syl: What are your current performances (place for shameless self-promotion;)) and plans for 2010?
6 Day Riot:Our new single will be released on 7th June the day after our slot at Wychwood, and then our new album will be released in Oct along with a UK tour. We are playing lots of festivals throughout the summer so it should be a busy time for us.
Syl: Do you want us to mention any albums, links to those?
6 Day Riot: 6 Day Riot Have A Plan
Syl: What is your best and most weird/surprising/funny memory from previous performances?
6 Day Riot: Glastonbury and Cambridge Folk Festivals have both been very memorable gigs for us, perhaps one of the less sensible performances has to be Greenman last year where we all wore Green outfits and masks and none of us could see what we were doing on stage.
Syl: What is your favorite drink(s) – in case if your audience wants to invite you for one?;)
6 Day Riot:… Being a Scot Tamara is partial to a whiskey (any type will do)
Syl: Apart from music, what are your other favorite activities?
6 Day Riot:… Tamara used to be a gymnast for Scotland and Great Britain, Dan loves a bit of pool and is a real shark, he was the under 16s Champion (if you believe what he says)… we also like a band game of footie during rehearsals and Dan’s famous quizes on the tour bus.
Syl: Where can we find you on-line to stay in touch and learn about new performances? (blog, MySpace account, Twitter, Facebook?)
6 Day Riot:
http://www.myspace.com/6dayriot
http://www.6dayriot.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/6-Day-Riot/10236849596?ref=ts
http://twitter.com/6dayriot
Syl: Thank you ever so much for your time!
