Musicians

Gaz Mayall is a musician, DJ, producer and record label owner. He’s the host of London’s longest running one-nighter, Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues – now in its 28th year – and the founder member of the ska band The Trojans. He also runs his record label Gaz’s Rockin’ Records.

Chris Watson is one of the world’s leading recorders of wildlife and natural phenomena, producing sound installations and recordings for film, television and radio. From the groaning of Icelandic glaciers to underwater recordings of the Humboldt current around the Galapagos Islands to a cacophony of birds, primates and insects in a South American rainforest, Chris has won awards for his exceptional work, which he says, “puts a microphone where you can’t put your ears”.

Bringing us choruses aplenty that soar high above the Cornish landscape, Louis Eliot’s very own rural sound – with its mix of country, folk and an unshakeable pop sensibility – never fails to rouse. Heralded by Vogue magazine as a “country troubadour” and the Times as a “true pop genius”, Louis and his band have played storming shows at Glastonbury, Cornbury, Maker, Secret Garden Party and of course, the Port Eliot Festival.

“Completely strange and completely wonderful,” Wurlitza are a five-piece band who pride themselves on their striking stage look and sublime harmonies. With four singer-songwriters from a wide background of pop, punk, jazz, world music, classical, folk and ska, there is rarely a dull moment.

Edwyn Collins formed Nu-Sonics in Scotland in 1976, the band who later changed their name to Orange Juice. Critically acclaimed, Orange Juice had a Top 10 hit, ‘Rip It Up’, before disbanding in 1985. Edwyn’s solo career has also had great success, as has his work as a producer for acts such as The Proclaimers, Little Barrie and The Cribs. In 2005 he suffered two strokes and his road to recovery – and back to the stage – has been a remarkable tale of bravery and optimism.

Braga Tanga are a four-piece band that create an exotic mix of world folk music, Eastern European gypsy tunes and a host of other mesmerising melodies from near and distant lands. Their live performances are a true musical journey and include French waltzes, Tango, Finnish Polskas, and songs from Sicily, Turkey, Africa – all delivered with passion and dexterity.

The Boathouse launched in the summer of 2007 – a new semi-autonomous area within the festival. Hosting a programme of artists, musicians and writers and a candlelit paper boat armada which set sail at dusk, it also introduced the hugely successful One Minute Disco to Port Eliot.

An sparkling and entertaining show of poetry and music from internationally bestselling author, Louis de Bernières, and acclaimed flautist and keyboard player, Ilone Antonius-Jones, the Antonius Players have delighted audiences across the UK and abroad – including a run of sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe.