Musicians

Celebrated ‘fishing and culture’ website, Caught By The River, has gained a cult following for its evocative call to escape the rat race and celebrate the most important things in life – time, pleasure, books, music, cake and much more. Brought to us by Jeff Barrett, Robin Turner, and Andrew Walsh from Heavenly Recordings, Caught By The River will be hosting a special area by the estuary and presenting a varied mix of happenings in keeping with the website’s unique spirit.

Boston-bred Evan Dando is the founding member and legendary front man of The Lemonheads. He also performs as a solo artist and released his first album, Baby I’m Bored, in 2003. His songs blend open-heartedness and good humour with and an aura of mystery and hypnotizing abstraction. Described as eclectic and affecting, Evan Dando’s collection ranges from bittersweet country rock to sly, pure pop rock.

Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip is a strange and beautiful beast of a band comprising Mik Artistik on preposterous posturing and vocals (no grandad should be able to move like that!), Benson Walker – a big beaming lighthouse of rockabilly funkiness – on bass and vocals, and the boney sonic dabbler Johnny Flockton on guitar.

Serving up a fantastic fusion of sweet country music, southern soul, bluegrass, blues, western swing, hillbilly boogie, proper beardy rock n’ roll, swirly southern psychedelia and other random treats, My Window Faces South brings you “all that’s righteous and groovy from the south – God, whisky, sex, death and horses!”

Hailing from the remote highlands of West Papua on the island of New Guinea in the southwest Pacific, the Lani Singers’ deeply emotive songs are rooted in the sacred rituals of the Lani tribe, whose way of living has remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years. Their music also embodies a powerful modern day message of their people’s struggle for freedom – “spirited and passionate raw roots music…a tribute to human resilience” (World Music Central).

Wowing audiences for the last 25 years, this Devon-based band dishes up a rousing selection of jazz and swing classics. Famed across the Westcountry for their popular 1940s theme nights and playing the on-stage role of the Glen Miller Orchestra in the world premier of Little Brown Jug at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter, AJ’s Big Band promises to get the party going at the Port Eliot Festival this year.

Having been warmly received at the last Port Eliot Festival in 2007, Glorious Chorus looks set to dazzle again this year as the choir returns with a brand new repertoire of a-cappella soul, blues and jazz.

Writer, musician, composer, nightclub host, actor and all-round legend, Richard Strange has played a key role London’s cultural life for the last 30 years. The Sex Pistols, Joy Division and The Jam supported his first proto-punk band, The Doctors of Madness, in the 1970s. Since then, Richard has remained as diverse as he has prolific; working with Tom Waits and William Burroughs, writing numerous articles and books, and appearing in films like Batman and Gangs of New York.

A dash of country, a pinch of ska and a whole fist full of rock ‘n’ roll, the Dulwich Ukulele Club have plundered the musical omniverse to create a twisted skiffle band for the 21st century.

Black Friday is a high-energy Celtic folk band from our very own St Germans. With a fine mix of original songs, traditional Irish jigs, reels, and cover versions, their influences are as diverse as Johnny Cash, The Clash, Flogging Molly and The Pogues. They’ve been rampaging the pubs, clubs and festivals of Devon, Cornwall and beyond for the last three years, playing over 100 gigs in 2006 alone. So loosen your clothes, grab yourself a cider (or three) and come join the party.