Friday 7 July
7pm, Main stage
George Wilding is an English singer songwriter. Born in 1996, he now lives in Avebury, Wiltshire.
He taught himself to play the guitar after his younger brother started having lessons, and was writing his own songs by the age of twelve. Shying away from talent shows, he preferred instead to gain experience performing at local open mic slots, where he has developed a loyal following. He describes his songs as abstract stories.
He caught the eye of local musician Nick Harper, and was asked to perform Avebury Rocks in 2011. Along with Nick, he is the only performer to have played each year since, supporting acts such as Newton Falkner and The Levellers. This brought him to the attention of musician and songwriter Gary Saunders, who had moved from London to Wiltshire, and had built a reputation for performing, production and arranging. For his EP Being Ragdollian they enlisted the help of Stu Rowe at his Lighterthief Studios in Swindon.
Gary and Stu chose a number of musicians they had worked with over the last couple of decades to help bring George’s songs to life. Andy Phillips, a long time collaborator of Gary’s, was brought in to play drums; Stu’s brothers Pete, who owns The Ladder Factory Studio in Shrivenham, recorded the drums through a vintage Trident desk; and Mikey, who took time out from touring with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, played keyboards on the tracks.
All these veteran musicians were blown away by the strength of George’s material and it is very rare to find the kind of songwriting craft George possesses at such an early age.
7.40pm, acoustic stage
Sarah Ryan is a 21-year-old singer-songwriter from Wiltshire. With a love for Carole King, Tame Impala and Jimi Hendrix, her musical style reflects both the dulcet tones of folk and country music, and the contemporary kick that comes with an enthusiasm for rock. A hybrid at heart, the genre of Sarah's music stems from her broad musical background – combining country with soul, and mixing rock with a hint of Americana.
Sarah has performed at a number of festivals and well-known venues, including Wychwood Festival (inc. Main Stage), Royal Albert Hall (Choir), The Marlborough Jazz Festival, Wildlife Rocks, Oxfest, Swindon Festival, Mantonfest, The Louisiana (Bristol), Riffs (Swindon), Moles (Bath), The Hope & Anchor (Islington) and The Dublin Castle (Camden).
8pm, main stage
Garnering near-cult status as purveyors of original genre-bending music, Port Erin are a band of three. Two brothers- Reuben Myles Tyghe, vocals and guitar, flanked by Jacob Myles Tyghe on bass and Cerys Brocklehurst on drums. They hail from Broughton Gifford (a very small village tucked away in South West England) and formed in January 2007.
The past decade has seen them extensively tour the U.K. performing over 600 shows at some of of the U.K.’s most prestigious venues. They have made appearances at many festivals including; Glastonbury Festival (‘10, ‘11, ‘13 & ’14 ), played live sessions for BBC Introducing and their music has been aired numerous times on BBC Radio 6.
Their musicality is magnetic with tightly wound dives and grooves. Cerys and Jacob’s rhythm section is a solid unit, Reuben drifts in-at times controlled and soulful but with moments of cornered fretting. A milieu of sonic textures are at play with echoes of jazz, coupled with mechanical Krautrock undertones. They are as punk as they are prog and as political as they are personal.
Port Erin draw inspiration from the likes of XTC, David Bowie, Miles Davis, Syd Arthur, Talking Heads, Morphine and Tortoise.
8.40pm, acoustic stage
Sussex based singer/songwriter and guitarist Edd Mann cut his musical teeth at a young age, writing and gigging with a variety of bands playing many different styles of music. Edd has recently been writing and performing as a solo acoustic artist. With an eclectic array of influence and technique present in his repertoire, listeners can expect traditional folk finger picking mixed with a percussive flamenco style, and a captivating live performance.
Artists he has performed with and alongside are genre spanning; from celebrated acoustic artists Nick Harper, Jim Moray and John Tams, to Jools Holland's tour buddy RJ Thompson, acclaimed roots/blues act Willie and The Bandits and heavy rock band INME's front man Dave McPherson.
He has also sung as part of the Devin Townsend Project, for their sold out Royal Albert Hall show in 2015.
9pm, main stage
Morganway’s fiery brand of alt-country is all driving riffs, charismatic five-part harmonies, emotional songwriting and compelling live performances. Straight out of North Norfolk’s rural outback, the five-piece was started by twins Callum (acoustic guitar, lead vocals) and Kieran Morgan (lead guitar), and features Yve Mary B (lead vocals), Matt Brocklehurst (keyboard) and Simon Tinmouth (drums).
The band’s distinctive Americana glow wears its heart on music that’s raw, melodic, sincere, full of energy and yearning for the open road.
9.50pm, Main stage
Saskia Maxwell sings songs about love and loneliness, friendship and betrayal, fear and hope with stark coming of age confessions displaying a maturity and sensitivity that belies her age. Her songs are reflections on where she’s from as well as where she’s going; folky acoustic songs that echo her roots in the rural southwest are not out of place beside more lyrically provocative and jazzier numbers, songs that call out to wider audiences and bigger stages.
Born into a musical family, Saskia has always been surrounded by music and was classically trained on guitar and flute from an early age. She cites Amy Winehouse, Django Reinhardt and Kate Bush as musical influences, but her playing demonstrates a blending of many styles, all combined with an artistry both natural and unaffected.
Saskia has gigged prolifically from the age of 14, and has already performed close to 500 shows in the UK alone, supporting the likes of Rae Morris, JP Cooper, Nick Harper, Rachel Sermanni and Mark Morriss of the Bluetones. Radio stations have also been quick to recognise her both as a live and recording artist.
10.10pm, main stage
Urban Lions are a ten piece band from England currently rising up through the underground UK roots and dub scene and out onto the world stage.
With the recent addition of a full horn section, Urban Lions have created a sound of their own by fusing styles old and new and pressing their own unmistakable stamp on the music.
After touring the UK and Europe, having headlined some of the most outstanding venues and festivals up and down this country and overseas, playing One Love, Boomtown, Illusive, The Reggae Garden and Irie Vibes Festivals, drawing crowds far and wide from Hootananny in Brixton and The Purple Turtle in Reading to The Picturedrome in Northampton, with UK roots reggae pioneer Donette Forte, Urban Lions have carved their own groove on the circuit with a feisty fusion of bashment roots, dub, ska, dancehall, jungle, funk, balkan beat, skanking rhythms and conscious rhymes.
Urban Lions have secured a record deal with Amsterdam based label 'Earth Works Records' and released their debut EP 'Urban Lions In Amsterdam', a live and direct six track offering.
11.20pm, main stage
The Vooz are a ‘veracious energy driven explosion of full flash from Marlborough‘ (Green Man Music 2010) who have fused the genres of punk rock and modern indie music with exciting results. They have been described as ‘exciting‘ (Amazing Radio 2011) and with a brilliant sense of rhythm and songs that sound like you are driving a car down the fast lane. The members of the band have toured and played with a number of famous artists such as: 999, The Lurkers, The Vibrators, Julian Cope, Guthrie Govan (Asia, Dizzy Rascal), The Dacoits and The Quails. This level of experience has given the band the ability to perform excellent live shows as well as creating alternative music with flair!
SATURDAY 8 JULY
9.30 - 10.15am
A powerful, energising way to start your day! Get up and moving with a flow-based yoga session led by Lizzy from Om Town Yoga. Bring comfortable clothing, a towel and a bottle of water.
MINISTRY OF samba
12pm, main stage
Formed some eight years ago and formerly known as Swindon Samba, Ministry of Samba play Brazilian style music but with a twist of sound bytes and loops using a launch pad sound processor.
The band have been playing locally at carnivals, festivals, corporate events, weddings and even in pubs since 2009. If you've seen them play, you'll know how infectious and groovy this music is!
The midnight activists
12.50pm, acoustic stage
Winner of Avebury Rocks Young Artists' Competition.
The Midnight Activists are four close friends who get a buzz from performing together. With each member being inspired by different styles of music, their set lists features hints of punk, indie, alternative and rock and roll. Citing The Pretty Reckless, U2, GreenDay, Muse and Royal Blood as influences, these young rockers are one to watch.
1.10pm, main stage
Rock Choir is the UK’s leading contemporary choir, offering fun, weekly rehearsals in Marlborough, Royal Wootton Bassett and Wroughton using well-known hit songs with original vocal arrangements. Rock Choir have achieved a fantastic reputation for their sophisticated teaching techniques, unique style and the feel-good experience given to members. Rock Choir supports hundreds of local communities and raises money for charities through performances and events.
Time to grab a drum and learn some samba! Ministry of Samba are running a workshop following their performance earlier in the day, so come along and play some grooves.
2pm, acoustic stage
Winner of Avebury Rocks Young Artists' Competition.
When Jordy started taking guitar lessons he discovered and fell in love with a whole wide range of new music, and knew that performing and writing was his passion.
An artist who loves to play and share his music, Jordy writes and performs to express who he is. His original songs are happy and bouncy, inspired by teenage life - insecure thoughts and trouble being understood.
the mantic muddlers
2.20pm, main stage
The Mantic Muddlers are a Roots, Rhythm & Blues band straight out of Hampshire, who combine a rich influence of sonic styles with a passion for performing and delivering their craft. These styles, alongside a penchant for pushing the boundaries of song craft, have shaped the Muddlers' sound into a barrage of infectious grooves and melodies, where heartfelt songs are put forth with instruments like the thunderous double bass, the searing violin and the cry of the slide guitar, all enriched with soulful vocal harmonies to top it off.
billy & louiE
3.10pm, acoustic stage
Winner of Avebury Rocks Young Artists' Competition.
Sibling duo Billy & Louie love singing, song-writing and performing together. Having recorded their tracks at school and in their own home, and performed at school concerts and charity fundraising events, Billy & Louie aspire to become professional singers and only share the best of what they do.
They love artists with power and energy, with their favourites including Aretha Franklin, Christina Aguilera, London Grammar, Adele, Birdie, Alison Moyet, Ed Sheeran, Amy Winehouse and Reba McEntire, to name but a few!
To create an unique style and sound, the siblings like to write ballads and include elements of jazz and blues in their music.
belly dance workshop
3.15 - 4pm
Join professional bellydancer Louise to learn some fun and funky belly dance moves and choreography! Louise has trained with some of the best-known names in Middle Eastern dance, has performed internationally and has taught as part of the Santa Maria Bellydance Academy in Reading. Louise provides exciting and glamorous workshops with an encouraging and positive atmosphere - so bring a scarf and let's dance!
Suitable for all ages and genders.
3.30pm, main stage
Wilson are a four-piece band from Dorset, founded by singer-songwriter Steve Wilson in 2013 and includes Simon Felton on bass guitar, Timmy Wheeler on drums and Chris Rickard on keyboards. Their debut album Old School, New Rules was conceived with the mission statement of producing “melodic songs with an emphasis on harmonies.” Augmented by the excellent guitar work of Ex-Pretender, Paul McCartney, Tom Jones and may others Robbie McIntosh and Steve Smith’s quality production, the album is a collection of songs which are stylish, emotive and entertaining with an honesty and integrity that is definitely old school!
An excellent live band, their accomplished musicianship and relaxed humour make and seeing Wilson play live a very heart warming, uplifting experience even for the most cynical of souls! You will go away with a smile on your face and find yourself humming their tunes for a long while after seeing them play live.
4.20pm, acoustic stage
Stephen has been playing the Hammered Dulcimer for about five years and is entirely self-taught. He first heard the instrument being played at a Medieval Fayre at Sudeley Castle around 40 years ago and was completely blown away by the sound! He promised himself that one day he would learn to play it himself. The Hammered Dulcimer doesn’t have a huge following in the UK and remains relatively unknown, although it is very popular in the US, which is why Stephen had to teach himself. In 2012, he realised his dream and finally owned this own Hammered Dulcimer!
Benji & hibbz
4.40pm, main stage
Benji & Hibbz are a hip-hop/soul act based in Bath, drawing influence from vintage funk to modern R&B. They’re on a mission to make modern music groove again!
They began their journey in 2011, rocking up to open mic nights around Bath, Bristol, and the southwest as a duo with only an acoustic guitar to back themselves. Since then, they’ve gone on to build an energetic 6 piece band, toured the UK and Northern Europe, and been booked for some of the biggest festivals in the UK, including Glastonbury and BoomTown.
Hibbz uses all his laid-back charisma to rap about anything important to him, sharing stories with the audience about his life, his family, social inequality and chasing dreams. Benji provides soulful vocals, and can also be heard on numerous Drum and Bass collaborations, with producers such as Hugh Hardie, Cyantific, and Decimal Bass (Annix). The band blends the sounds of Stevie Wonder, Jay Z, Lauryn Hill and Bob Marley to back them, and it’s a beautiful thing.
Benji & Hibbz have recorded 3 EPs to date, and now have their debut album in the making.
5.30pm, acoustic stage
Vickie is a 19-year-old singer/songwriter/pianist from Gloucester. Currently working on releasing an EP, Vickie is writing and producing her own songs at River Studios in Southampton, after being given the opportunity by British music producer and talent scout Chris Grayston when auditioning and performing at his competitions Open Mic UK and Teenstar. Vickie's sound is mainly pop/acoustic, with a little bit of soul.
5.50pm, main stage
The Ukey D'ukes formed four years ago and have been going from strength to strength ever since. They play everywhere from pubs to large music/beer/food festivals. They are a ukulele band with a real difference... rocky, rhythmic and great vocals.
6.40pm, acoustic stage
Winner of Avebury Rocks Young Artists' Competition.
Cree Henson has been performing his whole life, and says it has become part of his "spirit and soul." Cree's passion for music was sparked by the likes of Ed Sheeran and Justin Beiber and he takes inspiration from a range of artists, including James Arthur. Cree plays acoustic guitar and describes his musical style as calming, happy and relaxing.
& the roots collective
7pm, main stage
They’ve blazed their way across the festival scene, bringing their own inimitable style of blues, rock and Americana to the Great British R&B Festival, the Great British Folk Festival, Upton Blues Festival, The Great British Rock & Blues Festival, Broadstairs Blues Bash, Cambridge Rock Festival, Brownstock, The Fling and Cosmic Puffin to name but a few.
The band signed to the label 3Ms Music in April 2017 and are off to France to record their new album this summer, for release in the autumn. They’ve shared the line-up with Bellowhead, Wilko Johnson, Jefferson Starship, Eric Burdon, Carl Palmer, The Blues Band, Stray, The Quireboys, Dr Feelgood & the Yardbirds and they’ve supported Eddi Reeder & the Animals amongst others as well as playing many venues up & down the country.
After 5 years of constant gigging, the Jamie Williams & the Roots Collective have honed the rough edges to become one of the most fun and exciting original live bands on the circuit. Their ethos is ‘it’s all about the party’ – they know when the audience is having fun, they’ve got it right!
7.50pm, acoustic stage
Based in South-West England, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jack Moore is a young, engaging and passionate musician. Known locally for frequently gigging as a one-man acoustic Rock & Roll army, Jack’s performance is unrelentingly inclusive and good fun. Musically, Jack is never afraid to knock on many different doors in the genre corridor and lets his influences run freely throughout his songs. Initially inspired by the likes of Frank Turner and Bob Dylan, recent times have seen Jack channel a wider range of influences in his writing, including Gogol Bordello, Queens Of the Stone Age, David Bowie, Lana Del Rey and Massive Attack among others.
8.10pm, main stage
Praised in major publications from The Guardian to Shindig! and Classic Rock Magazine, Bath's rock upstarts Ulysses deliver quirky pop delights and to die for big riffs with what is fast becoming Ulysses' own distinct sound - a nether land between pysch, glam and rock, guitar stroking and pop sheen.
Having toured with Rival Sons, Purson and members of The Black Crows - and a brand new album for 2016 made with producer Steve Evans (Robert Plant / Siouxsie / Goldfrapp) - it seems that Ulysses have unknowlingly brought their cheeky influences (Syd Barrett, psych-era Stones, The Cars, Thin Lizzy, Hot Chocolate, Supergrass, Sailor, Alvin Stardust and Wings) to the heart of the new rock elite.
9pm, acoustic stage
Fat, grey-haired feminist, Amy Walters, finally found her voice aged thirty-seven. Now she makes music that reflects the human experience of "not quite fitting in the way women are supposed to." A multi-instrumentalist of average ability and above average honesty, Amy takes you on a guided tour through her mind as she explores themes of rage, love, anxiety and mental health.
nick harper and the wilderness kids
9.20pm, main stage
The brains behind Avebury Rocks, local-born musician Nick Harper continues to devote his time and energy to the festival, helping to raise much needed funds for local charity Prospect Hospice.
Son of the legendary Roy Harper, Nick started playing the guitar aged ten and grew up surrounded by the likes of Keith Moon, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and Dave Gilmour. After a chance meeting with Squeeze frontman Glenn Tilbrook, Nick was invited to support and perform with them, and was promplty signed to Tilbrook's own label, Quixotic Records.
Nick quickly become known as a renowned singer-songwriter, and now has nine studio albums, a double live CD, 2 EPs, and a rockumentary style DVD ‘Love is Music’. He’s appeared at Glastonbury Festival six times, and recently worked in the studio alongside Lana Del Ray, as well as featuring on recordings by Newton Faulkner, Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and The Levellers.
10.30pm, main stage
Formed from the remnants of various young bands, having been friends from college days, Kioko are a group of multicultural musicians who have embarked on a journey to bring people their own brand of soulful pop heavily influenced by dub, reggae and ska. An intriguing sound
guaranteed to get your mind thinking and head bopping.
A band of big personalities and even bigger song hooks, Kioko pride themselves on writing accessible, head bopping tunes, but also take pride in the fact their music is sociologically and politically relevant to today's ever changing society.
Having performed with award winning rapper Tinie Tempah, to ska legends The Specials, Kioko have a wealth of performance experience and are set to win over, audiences old and new.
followed by a dj to keep you entertained 'til late!
Sunday 9 july
9.30 - 10.15am
Polish off the weekend with a free-flow yoga session and leave feel energised and refreshed. The session will be led by Lizzy from Om Town Yoga. Bring comfortable clothing, a towel and a bottle of water.