Seagull Theatre, Pakefield to host first Acoustic Music Day
On 27th April 2019 the Seagull Theatre in association with Martello Promotions will be hosting “Pakefield Acoustic Music Day”, with a wide range of top acoustic based artists from across the UK.
Featured artists are inventive Lancashire trio Harp And A Monkey, Norwich based Americana trio Alden, Patterson and Dashwood (who have just completed a major UK tour with Show of Hands), husband and wife duo Winter Wilson from Lincoln (recently returned from a highly successful tour of Australia), FATEA Award winning duo Oka Vanga from Hertfordshire, Folk/Americana duo Honey & The Bear from Woodbridge, internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Hannah Scott and Suffolk born traditional folk singer Megan Wisdom.
Harp And A Monkey
The harp and banjo driven contemporary-folk-storytelling of Harp and a Monkey - Martin Purdy (vocals, glockenspiel, accordion, harmonica and keyboards), Simon Jones (harp, guitar, viola) and Andy Smith (banjo, melodica, guitar and programming) - is imbued with a deep Lancashire sensibility that shines through in their beautifully crafted and sometimes spooky vignettes of northern life, love and remembrance.
Formed in 2008, Harp and a Monkey have been establishing a loyal following via the old fashioned practice of relentless gigging and modern practice of social network sites.
Regulars on the national circuit, the band have gained a strong reputation for the excellent rapport they establish with their live audiences. Such is the strength of their reputation as a quality live act, they have twice been asked to perform at the English Folk Expo; the annual international showcase of the best of English folk and roots music.
The band’s self-titled debut album received critical acclaim on its release in late 2011 and second album, All Life Is Here, released in April 2014 again received outstanding reviews, with the likes of fRoots magazine describing them as “undoubtedly one of the most vital and charismatic things happening in English folk music right now”.
Latest album, War Stories, released in July 2016, is part of their ongoing project (part-sponsored by Arts Council England and The Western Front Association) to mark the centenary of the First World War. The album has received outstanding reviews, with the likes of The Observer describing it as “bold and brilliant”. Support from BBC Radio 2 has been substantive, including live sessions and interviews with the likes of Clare Balding (Good Morning Sunday) and Mark Radcliffe (The Folk Show). On stage 21.30
http://harpandamonkey.com/ On stage 21.30
Alden, Patterson and Dashwood
Norwich based folk trio Alden Patterson and Dashwood weave rich vocal harmonies, fiddle, dobro, guitar and mandolin around beautifully written original songs and melodies. Their independently-released debut album “Call Me Home” and its recent successor “By The Night” were produced at home in Norwich and are lovingly presented in attractive handmade covers, designed and hand-printed by the band. Their music takes influence from folk traditions from both sides of the Atlantic with uplifting instrumentals and self-penned songs depicting tales of young travellers, sleepy seas and their affection for home.
https://aldenpattersonanddashwood.com/ On Stage 20.15
Winter Wilson
2018 was an excellent year for popular duo Winter Wilson – a highly successful UK tour with Fairport Convention, followed by dates supporting Lindisfarne, excellent sets at Cropredy and Folk East and a critically acclaimed album, “Far Off On The Horizon”.
2019 began with a hugely successful tour of Austraila. Now in their 7th year as full time musicains, Kip Winter & Dave Wilson bring a sense of intimacy to every venue, blending superb, often hard-hitting, songs great harmonies and musicianship with some hilarious tales of life “on the road.”
Kip (vocals, flute, accordion, guitar) has “a voice to die for” (Maverick) whilst Dave (vocals, guitar, banjo) is now rightly recognised as being amongst the top tier of UK songwriters. Together their voices are sublime and it is in live performance that they truly excel.
www.winterwilson.com/ On Stage 16.30
Oka Vanga are Angela Meyer & William Cox, an award winning Folk & Roots duo. Originally from Cape Town in South Africa, talented singer and songwriter Angie Meyer is the creative driving force in the partnership and is ably supported by multi-instrumentalist husband, Will Cox.
In 2013 they were invited to represent the UK at the International Madame Guitar Festival in Italy and shortly thereafter they released their debut album “Pilgrim” to critical acclaim and it was awarded “Best Instrumental Album” by FATEA magazine in 2014.
Latest CD “Dance of the Copper Trail” received glowing reviews in Songlines, fRoots and RnR and features a mix of original and traditional songs.
https://okavanga.com/ On Stage 15.15
Honey & The Bear are a folk and roots inspired duo from Suffolk. With softly interweaving vocal harmonies and foot stomping rhythms, the duo combine elements of Folk, Americana, Country, Blues and whatever else takes their fancy.
The multi - instrumentalist pair, comprised of husband and wife songwriters Jon Hart and Lucy Sampson, have been writing together since early 2014, appearing at established UK festivals such as Cambridge Folk Festival, Maverick, Ely Folk and Folk East. Having supported Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys on their UK tour in 2018, the duo have gathered momentum and are about to release their debut album “Made in the Aker”
www.honeyandthebear.co.uk On Stage 19.00
Hannah Scott
Singer/songwriter Hannah Scott draws much of the inspiration for her music from her affinity with Italy. A year living and working on an olive press in rural Tuscany in her late teens provided the backdrop to her early work and she has found her musical home with creative partner, cellist Stefano Della Casa.Their musical journey has proved fruitful with CD releases supported by Bob Harris and Dermot O’Leary on BBC Radio 2. They’ve also been featured by MOJO magazine and as ‘New Band of The Day’ in The Guardian. Latest CD “Pieces of the Night” was released to great critical acclaim in June 2018
www.hannahscott.co.uk On Stage – 14.00
Megan Wisdom is a Suffolk born folk musician and singer of traditional songs. She loves to explore the stories which are deeply etched into British folk music, and bring out the voices from the past which are alive within lyrics and melodies.
Singing mostly unaccompanied, sometimes with a table harmonium, Megan performs regularly at folk clubs and events throughout the country, including Folk East
She won the Suffolk traditional song competition, the Percy Webb Memorial Cup, in 2015, was a finalist in the national New Roots competition in 2017 and won the Bobbie Callas Cup in February 2019.
http://meganwisdom.co.uk On Stage – 13.20.
All in all the day presents a diverse and highly entertaining mix of very accomplished artists representing the best in current acoustic music. And you can see all 7 artists for just one £23 ticket for the whole day!! Available in person from the Seagull Theatre, by phone (01502 589726) or online at :- www.theseagull.co.uk/event/pakefield-acoustic-music-day/
There will be a break of 90 minutes between the afternoon and evening sessions (17.30 – 19.00). N.B. the Seagull Theatre has a licensed bar, but does not have any food catering facilities; however there are many eating places within a few minutes’ walk of the venue.