Here is some information about our headline acts. Click on the pictures to open the bands' website (in a new window).

Saturday Evening

Show of Hands

Steve Knightley and Phil Beer are widely acknowledged as the finest acoustic roots duo in England.

Knightley, who writes most of their inspired material and Beer, a dazzling multi instrumentalist, have built up a huge following which has seen them sell out the Royal Albert Hall three times, headline major festivals from Glastonbury to WOMAD and playing all over the world, from Europe to America, Australia and India.

Voted Best Live Act by the public at the 2004 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, the jury is still out on just what kind of music they play. A genre defying mix of rock, roots, blues, country and trad, and often influenced by the music of other countries, it is played out on an array of instruments from slide guitar to fiddle, mandolin to South American cuatro.

They will joined by Miranda Sykes who has been performing with Show of Hands since 2004.

As well as being a superb vocalist and double bassist she continues to surprise audiences with her musical versatility, and demonstrates her ability as a guitarist and interpreter of song, slipping effortlessly between genres. She has a strong repertoire of songs and is currently developing material for her 4th solo album project.

Sunday Afternoon

Little Johnny England

Little Johnny England are a unit comprising five musicians all of whom have worked within the folk/traditional and mainstream for many years.
 
As individuals they really do have it covered, credits include Peter Kaye, Fatima Mansions, Show Of Hands, Ruby Turner, The Steve Gibbons Band and Albion Band to pick just a few. They have combined their experiences to become quite simply a live act in every sense, as equally at home working in an acoustic manner as they are in a major concert setting.

Their aim in the last 10 years has been to take traditional and contemporary folk music to a wider audience and have attracted a lot of attention not only from press within the genre but also mainstream national press - having achieved a glowing four star review in Q magazine for their album "Mercs & Cherokees". This proving that their aim is not only achievable but is coming to fruition.

After sporadic shows over the last couple of years mainly due to individual projects, they are back stronger than ever with a new studio album 'Tournament Of Shadows', released in October 2009. A ten year retrospective double album 'Ten Years On' was released on 16th June 2009, documenting the band's journey so far.

Sunday Evening

The Lonnie Donegan Band with Pete Donegan

The Lonnie Donegan Band is as the name suggests. This is the band that toured with the legend for the last 30 years. For those of you who saw Lonnie Donegan perform in more recent years, then you will instantly recognise them:
Paul Henry     Lead Guitar
Chris Hunt     Drums
Sticky Wicket     Percussion
Eddie Masters     Bass
Peter Donegan     Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Harmonica, Mandolin, Lead Vocals

The band reformed after Lonnie's passing to perform at the Rock Island Line tribute concert for Lonnie, at the Royal Albert Hall, backing artists such as Joe Cocker, Chris Farlow, Rolf Harris, Roger Daltrey, Mark Knopfler, Van Morrison, Chris Barber, to name a few...

Currently the band tour as the same line up as the last tour with Lonnie, featuring Lonnie's son Peter Donegan on keyboards and harmonica - only this time Peter also performs lead vocals, acoustic guitar and banjo, fronting the band.

We’re all set now for another great Festival, and there’s lots to tell you about what we’ve got ...

Friday 18th June

...kicks off in boisterous fashion with the Middlewich debut of the London Philharmonic Skiffle Orchestra, ably supported by local favourites Stan’s Magic Foot. The LPSO may sound huge (not sure how many musicians normally make up an orchestra, but I think it’s a lot) but there’s only four of them; superb musicians, lashings of comedy, and a good night for everyone. And if you think you know what skiffle is, then you ain’t heard nothing yet! Add to that the amazing mix of music that is Stan’s Magic Foot, and you have a concert guaranteed to send everyone home with a smile on their face. And – like all mainstage concerts this year – it’s in the Marquee!

No Family Mahone! :(

Unfortunately for their fans, there’s no Family Mahone this year. Mark Radcliffe has decided to ease up on the workload (or watch the football) and two of the band members have other work commitments, so they couldn’t make it this year. Never mind, there’s always another time, and we’re sure you’ll love the concert we have put on for you instead!

Saturday 19th June

There’s also – while we’re on the subject of things not happening – no parade through the town on Saturday morning this year. It’s been left out of the event in an effort to cut down the Policing costs, which are carving an even bigger hole in our budget every year. It has cut some money off the estimate, but we still have a fair old whack to pay. In case you’re wondering, it’s over 5% of our turnover! Anyway, it’ll give you more time to see the boats, visit the stalls and have a look at the wonderful Flower Festival in the Church, and there will be lots of dancing to keep you amused before you head to the Marquee for the afternoon concert – which is a biggie!

Headlining are Mabon, the exciting six-piece Celtic band from Wales. If you haven’t heard them, the music they play isn’t just from Wales, it covers the whole range of Celtic sounds, and it really swings. Supporting are Nicol & Cool, aka Ken Nicol and Phil Cool, featuring the guitar virtuoso and member of Steeleye Span with Phil showing his more serious side as a singer and songwriter – although there will be a fair bit of humour as well! Also appearing in this concert will be finger-style guitarist and songwriter from Nottingham Nigel Beck, who’s making a big name for himself on the circuit.

Late afternoon/early evening there’s a Comedy Showcase at the Royal British Legion with Dom Collins, Keith Donnelly and friends, then we’re into the evening concerts:

In the Marquee we’ve got Show of Hands, widely acknowledged as the finest acoustic roots duo in England; or trio when, as here, they appear with Miranda Sykes. Supporting are Stoke-based The Queensberry Rules, one of Britain’s most exciting folk roots acts, and Tom Palmer, one of the country’s best-loved songsters carrying on the troubadour tradition.

In the Civic Hall there’s the Festival Ceilidh, with All Blacked Up and caller Fee Lock, for those of you with the energy to get up and dance.

Sunday 20th June

..in the afternoon (in the Marquee) you’ll get Little Johnny England, back together after individual projects and reportedly stronger than ever. Supporting are The Queensberry Rules (yes, again – they wanted to do two spots) and Keith Donnelly, a man who, according to Jasper Carrott, could make sheep laugh. Not sure where that leaves the rest of us!

Sunday night we finish the Festival in really upbeat mood with The Lonnie Donegan Band – that’s the band that accompanied Lonnie on his last tour – led by son Peter Donegan. A great mix of skiffle, blues, jazz and foot-stomping fun. Support comes from another refugee from Steeleye Span, fiddle player Peter Knight with Gigspanner: a multicultural blend of music that crosses all boundaries and should really get you tapping your feet.

You can keep updated on any developments either through the website or through

. Yes, we’ve finally reached the 21st century! So get those tickets booked and we’ll see you in June.

Tim Turner
Marketing Director