Mankala is a band that plays high energy original music that can be defined as Afro-Caribbean fusion. The band brings together musicians from diverse places in the world such as Martinique, Zambia, Tenerife and of course England, where Mankala was first formed early in 2003, in the multicultural city of Bristol, where the band is currently based. Driving tempos with soulful percussion, simple but tasteful guitar sounds...
The silliest, most enjoyable jug band ever to have crowded untidily on a stage, Biggles will appeal to those who are fans of Bonzo Dog Doo Dah, or indeed just those who enjoy surprisingly skilled musicians having a drunkenly good time. Having seen them live several times, it is always amusing to watch the teenagers - who initially sneered at them - on their knees worshipping The Great God Biggles by the end of the gig!
An original member of New York's new-school pioneers the Ultramagnetic MC's, "Kool" Keith Thornton is best known as a solo rapper. His signature style is stream-of-consciousness lyrical flow and complex vocals, two skills that earn him a perennial nod from the underground hip-hop community. The average Kool Keith album is peppered with bizarre, disjointed, even delusional or disassociated themes, concepts, and references. Nearly all of his albums incorporate a satirical dislike for more commercialized strains of hip-hop, as well as major record labels.
Hobo Jones & The Junkyard Dogs, fast becoming national festival favorites, are the Godfathers of the musical genre 'Skunk' - Skiffle/Punk.
The basic core of three members: Hobo Jones (Tea chest bass, Banjo, Gob Iron), Miser Bill (guitar & Kazoo) & Wino Tyrone (Washboard, pots, pans & kitchen sink) are one of the most unusual and energetic acts playing in the UK today.
They will skiffle almost anything (including The Pussycat Dolls!) and with seriously funny banter between/during songs...
The Presets are Julian Hamilton (keyboard and vocals) and Kim Moyes (drums and keyboard). They are an electronic two piece from Sydney, Australia who met when they were both members of Prop. Hamilton and Moyes broke off from Prop in 2003, when they remixed a track, "Magnetic Highway", with "harder electronic edges" under the name The Presets. The Presets have been one of the biggest indie bands for the past few years in Australia, touring with and supporting many well known bands such as Daft Punk, 2 Many DJ's and Ladytron.
South of England based band. Very much a live band. Play festivals etc.
Yes Sir Boss(!!!) formed in 2004 and have a lively stage presence. Having toured themselves, and having supported Joss Stone, they are accruing a hefty following.
After becoming a festival fixture in 2009, this trend is set to continue.
21st Century blues man, who reaches back to the old traditions but also has a punk sensibility, and a gravelly, soulful voice. Superb live, and famous for his 3 string Trance Wonder guitar (though he does play 6-string more often, and a one-string diddley bow) He has played with everyone from Lightnin' Hopkins and John Lee Hooker to Modest Mouse and the Fat Possum dudes. He was the star of the New Year's Eve 2007 Jools Holland Hootenanny on BBC TV, and has been taking festivals by storm this summer.