Line-up 2012...

Bringing his superb 20-piece band back to the Larmer Tree for the sixteenth time, Jools has had another incredibly busy year.  Around a hundred gigs with the orchestra, fronting dozens of ‘Late…With Jools Holland’ TV shows, and the release of a brand new ‘Best Of’ album – where does he get his energy from?  His remarkable achievements over the last 40 years were recognised with a Music Industry Trust Award in November.  We know Jools enjoys playing the Larmer Tree as much as you all enjoy seeing him here, so get ready to bop away to some storming boogie-woogie.  As usual Jools will be bringing some special guests with him so get ready for a really special evening. 

www.joolsholland.com   

Now in their 24th year, the band are as much in demand as ever with appearances in the UK, Ireland, Norway, Holland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Belgium and Austria, including an 18-date Levelling The Land tour.  By the time the festival comes round they will have released their 10th album!  Their commitment to their roots, exuberant stage shows, and uncompromising attitude have gained them an extremely loyal fan base, and they remain firmly at the top of the folk-rock tree.  Although the band deny being a folk outfit they actually won a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award earlier this year! 

www.levellers.co.uk    
www.myspace.com/levellers

An Australian musician, composer, songwriter, actor, comedian and writer, Tim Minchin showcases a unique brand of musical comedy.  As well as his grand piano and apparel befitting a style guru, he’s renowned for his iconic dance moves, wildly teased hair, gently calmed eyebrows, natural aplomb and his enormous sense of occasion.  He’s performed sell-out shows in the UK, Australia and the US.  In 2010/2011, he toured the UK with the 55-piece Heritage Orchestra performing his biggest live show ever, culminating at two sold-out nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall.  Tim’s TV appearances include Carpool, Never Mind The Buzzcocks (BBC), Genius (BBC) and 8 Out of 10 Cats (Channel 4).  He’s also written and stared in Strings, a new comedy sitcom pilot for BBC Radio 2.   

www.timminchin.com
www.myspace.com/tim_minchin
www.twitter.com/#!/timminchin
www.facebook.com/timminchin

We'll announce the headliner details as soon as they're confirmed, so watch this space!

We'll announce the headliner details as soon as they're confirmed, so watch this space!

We'll announce the headliner details as soon as they're confirmed, so watch this space!

The Imagined Village is one of the most unusual folk collaborations of the last decade.  Formed in 2004 by Simon Emmerson, it was a realization of his dream to assemble the cream of English folk musicians and singers to explore their musical roots.  The Imagined Village made a significant impression with their critically acclaimed and commercially successful eponymous debut album, and went on to tour extensively also winning the award for Best Traditional Song at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2008.  Those of you who saw The Imagined Village on their last visit to the festival will know what to expect – it’s not often that you get artists of the calibre of Martin Carthy, Billy Bragg, Eliza Carthy and Chris Wood sharing the same stage.

http://imaginedvillage.com/ 
www.myspace.com/theimaginedvillage

Born in the Ivory Coast to Malian parents, Fatoumata moved to France to pursue an acting career in the late ‘90s, but later took up the guitar and started writing her own songs.  Earning her stripes as a backing singer/dancer for the mighty Oumou Sangaré, in her spare time she developed a style fusing jazz and funk with a sparse contemporary folk sound, weaving in the rhythms and plaintive melodies of her ancestral Wassoulou tradition.  Blessed with a warm, sensual voice, she was signed by World Circuit Records, and released her debut album in September 2011, drawing some enthusiastic reviews, including this one from Uncut magazine “This charismatic, statuesque 28 year-old former actress from Mali looks likely to be the next breakout star from African music…these are strong, simple songs with emotions that transcend language.”

www.myspace.com/fatoumatadiawara 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fatoumata-Diawara/151710422621

If you have ever holidayed in Port Isaac in North Cornwall, you may have heard this ten-man a cappella outfit singing at around eight in the evening during the summer months - they can be found on the harbour entertaining with a rousing and joyful set of shanties and Cornish folk songs.  There's no gang leader, no choirmaster and no holds barred in the singing of The Fisherman's Friends.  Only three of them are fishermen, but the others are linked to the sea through their involvement with the coastguard or the lifeboat, whilst working day jobs locally.  They’ve known each other since childhood and learnt their powerful brand of Cornish harmony singing at the local Methodist chapel – now the pottery of Fisherman's Friend Billy Hawkwins.

www.portisaacsfishermansfriends.com  
www.myspace.com/fishermansfriendsmusic

One of our favourite acts return to the festival to bring a real party feel to Thursday night in the Big Top, so get ready to dance yourselves silly!  Hugely popular on the live music circuit with their sunny folk-reggae sound, Edward II split up after losing three key members in 1999, reformed as e2K in 2000, only to dissolve once more in 2003.  But since 2009 the eight-piece outfit has been playing selective gigs and festivals to the delight of their legions of fans.  Splice dance tunes of traditional English folk with the sexy grooves of reggae and rock, original member Glenn Latouche provides the seductively honeyed lead vocals.   

www.edwardii.co.uk
www.myspace.com/edwardiiofficial

This Los Angeles-based quartet unashamedly describe their style as “live-wired, straight-shootin’, dirty-mouth’d, pelvis-pushing juke music.”  A comparatively new band, Vintage Trouble was formed by vocalist Ty Taylor and guitarist Nalle Colt early in 2010.  Combining their love for original soul and old-style R&B, they recruited Rick Barrio Dill on bass guitar and drummer Richard Danielson to complete the line-up.  Within two weeks of rehearsals the band was ready to record their debut album and start playing live.  They quickly attracted a lot of attention and an appearance on Later with Jools Holland early last year was followed by tours of the UK supporting Brian May and Bon Jovi.  They are bound to get the festival off to a cracking start when they support Jools on the opening night.

www.vintagetrouble.com

Ethnic and rooted at his core, but at the same time global in his outlook, Raghu’s music has strands of folk, traditional Indian music, rock and pop.  Recently chosen as Songlines’ Best Newcomer of the Year, Raghu has had a rich musical career.  Starting out playing in indie and rock bands - notably Antaragni - in Bangalore, he also had a spell writing radio jingles.  Initially rejected by the Bollywood-dominated music industry in his home country, he was recognised by composers Vishal and Shekhar for his unique talent. His self-titled debut album quickly became the best-selling non-Bollywood record in India two years ago.

http://raghudixit.com/ 
www.myspace.com/raghudixit

Born Kingslee James Daley in 1983, Londoner Akala is a man of many talents - a poet, journalist, rapper and educator, with a dual heritage of Scottish and Jamaican roots.  Since 2003 Akala has made it his life’s work to challenge preconceptions and buck prevailing trends, breaking down the culture of cliché and stereotype which smother the hip hop genre.  His lyrics focus on social class struggle, social conditioning and alienation among the working classes.  He has taken this message all over the world, performing at festivals in Vietnam, Europe and the USA, as well as many UK venues like Glastonbury, Isle of Wight and Reading.

www.akalamusic.com
www.myspace.com/akalamusic

In their 15 plus years Dub Pistols have done everything it's possible to do in a band, and they still want more.  Fronted by infamous Londoner, Barry Ashworth, they have been serving up their highly danceable fusion of dub and big beat since 1996, chewing up hip-hop, dub, techno, ska, reggae and punk, and spitting them out in a style that defies categorization.  Their genre-mashing abilities have led to remix work with the likes of Moby, Bono and Limp Bizkit.  Despite the fact that they are constantly touring, the band have found time to record five albums, the latest of which, Music Is My M16, was released last year. Simply one of the best live bands in the UK.  (119)

www.dubpistolsmusic.co.uk   
www.myspace.com/thedubpistols

Human beatboxer Shlomo has been instinctively making vocal music since he was a small child.  He found critical acclaim as a beatboxer aged 18 touring with the award-winning multinational hip-hop group Foreign Beggars, and was named the “Harry Potter of beatboxing” by BBC Radio 1’s Tim Westwood.  Shlomo’s live performance technique utilizes a loop pedal to sample his voice on the fly, enabling him to rework a huge range of original songs and well loved classics.  His looping performances, including a live performance from Glastonbury on BBC 2, have gained him praise from the likes of Bill Bailey, Phil Jupitus and Lauren Laverne, and his videos on YouTube have received millions of views. 

www.shlo.co.uk
www.myspace.com/shlomizzle

Dizraeli and The Small Gods emerged in 2009 with an inventive fusion of folk melodies, funky breaks and pure hip hop which they displayed on their debut album Engurland City Shanties.  Dizraeli had formerly made his name as frontman for the hip hop band Bad Science, and had picked up a string of awards as a slam poet.  The Small Gods feature World Female Beatbox Champ Bellatrix on bass and beats, Lee Westwood on guitar, Cate Ferris on vocals, Paul Gregory on drums, Jules Arthur on viola and keys, and DJ Downlow on the turntables.  This unconventional mix leads to a fresh vibrant sound which works wonders live.  “Far beyond a normal hip hop show…something quite remarkable.”  Venue Magazine.

www.dizraeli.com 
www.myspace.com/dizraeli

Red Sky July is a new alternative country project from three well-respected musicians, husband and wife duo Ally McErlaine and Shelly Poole, plus singer Charity Hair.  The trio have all enjoyed successful careers with other bands - with her sister Karen, Shelly Poole was one half of the million-selling duo Alisha’s Attic.  The daughter of famed ‘60s artist Brian Poole, Shelly learned to read and compose music at a very young age.  Since the band’s split in 2003 Shelly has gone on to become a successful songwriter for other artists, as well as releasing a solo album.  Ally is a former member of the band Texas, touring with them since 1988 and selling over 15 million albums worldwide in the process.   Charity Hair is a former member of The Alice Band and the Ailerons.

www.redskyjuly.com   
www.myspace.com/redskyjulymusic

American singer-songwriter Otis has been compared to Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Bragg.  Like the aforementioned trio his songs feature strong lyrics about political and social issues.  A genuine troubadour, Otis, originally from Indiana but now based in Nashville, Tennessee, has spent the last 15 years travelling across America and all over the world, documenting his experiences in song.  On the way he has planted over 7,000 trees, slept in hobo jungles, walked with nomadic shepherds in the Carpathian mountains, and managed to attract the attention of the FBI, who have a file on him!

www.otisgibbs.com
www.myspace.com/otisgibbs

Hailing from Bridgetown, Western Australia, Emily Barker is a compelling guitarist and singer-songwriter with a gift for weaving melody and words.  Together with her band The Red Clay Halo, she has recorded three albums, dazzled audiences at music festivals and seen her song Nostalgia become the Bafta-winning theme tune to the BBC 1 drama Wallander, starring British actor Kenneth Branagh.  February 2011 saw the release of the album Almanac, attracting loads of plays on BBC 6 Music, Radio 2 and Radio 4.  A stream of sold-out UK tour dates followed, culminating in a rapturously received show at London’s St Giles-In-The-Fields church at which Almanac was performed in its entirety.

www.emily-barker.com
www.myspace.com/emilybarker

The legend of the decks is back again!  Derek returns to the Garden Stage on Friday night to keep the party well and truly going after the Levellers have bid us a hearty fare thee well.  Derek’s blend of 60s rocksteady, reggae, ska, dancehall and soul music has made him an icon for many in the industry and audiences alike.  He spent a couple of decades working as an accountant at Cadburys, but gave it all up to play reggae in Bristol!  Most notably he MCs in Jamaican Patois while DJing, despite never having visited Jamaica - he said he picked up the accent from a Bristol-based Jamaican barber - and so the legend was born! 

While Gram Parsons may be considered to be the granddaddy of the alt-country genre, Jason is the man who first brought the music to the stages of the world.  Born in 1959 in southern Illinois, Jason moved to Nashville in 1981, forming a country/punk band called Jason & the Scorchers.  The band became a hugely successful live act with its rock ‘n’ roll energy, punk swagger and country music tinges.  The Scorchers disbanded in 1990 and Jason became a solo performer.  Although reforming The Scorchers in the mid 1990s, Jason has continued his solo career, touring the world three times in the 21^st century alone.

www.jasonringenberg.com

With a handful of acoustic instruments, including clawhammer banjos, guitars, mandolins and bouzoukis this duo from Seattle have created an entirely new strain of bluegrass music.  High lonesome harmonies that would fit into any evening at The Grand Ole Opry, and a sound that combines the warmth of old-time country with the fierceness of bluegrass, belies the fact they have only been touring together since the Spring of 2010.  Their debut album The Holy Coming of the Storm delighted The Independent music critic Maurice Hope, who described it as “pure, fresh and sparkling as mountain dew.  Appalachian roots-based music of the finest order.” 

www.cahalenandeli.com    
www.myspace.com/cahalen

Formed in June 2009, the quartet comprises Joe Broughton, Paloma Trigas, Frank Moon and Tom Chapman, four accomplished multi-instrumentalists and singers who have forged their own brand of cutting edge folk.  Over the last three years they have crafted a knockout live show of globally–influenced, electrifying acoustic music that has been taking the European folk scene by storm.  The summer of 2011 saw them embark on their biggest adventure yet - a three month rollercoaster ride of gigs across Spain, Germany, Canada, Italy and the UK.  Playing everything from secluded coves to 30,000 capacity festival fields, their relaxed, charismatic stage presence has captivated audiences and won them a devoted fan base.  By the time the festival rolls round they will have released their third album, Off Beaten Tracks, a musical snapshot of their experiences on the road, from Spanish bus rides to trips along the Vancouver Island coastline.

www.theufq.com
www.myspace.com/theurbanfolkquartet

Formed in 2007, Brighton 5-piece The Miserable Rich have achieved a highly individual sound which has been described as ‘chamber pop’.  The sound is created by using cello and violin as the primary lead instruments, augmented by double bass, acoustic guitar and occasionally piano.  The band have recently vamped up their sound with the addition of drums and electric guitar.  They recently released their third album Miss You In The Days which received good reviews, particularly impressing the website SoundsXP.com… “a surprisingly light album thanks to the subtle production, twinkly, gleaming piano and deftness of touch.  The Miserable Rich have achieved their objective in some style - this record is a spellbinding journey from start to finish.” 

www.myspace.com/themiserablerich    
www.themiserablerich.com

Belinda and Heidi are a duo based in West Yorkshire who have been hailed as pioneers of innovative chamber-folk, their music crossing folk and classical boundaries, with a hint of burlesque theatricality.  A former member of Rachel Unthank and The Winterset, Belinda left the band in 2007 and teamed up with fellow Yorkshire songwriter Heidi to create their own brand of contemporary folk.  Striking musical arrangements, sublime harmonies and cheeky Northern banter are the core of their live act.  Their debut album Silent June released in 2010 had The Observer music critic Peter Culshaw enthusing “a low-key but intensely beautiful and poetic album.”  Their second album The Fragile is eagerly waited.

www.reverbnation.com/ohooleytidowmusic
www.ohooleyandtidow.com

The band has its origins in a group called Blind Summit, formed by David Tattersall, Franic Rozycki and Hugh Noble in 1998.  The band later changed its name to The Wave Pictures and Hugh was eventually replaced by Jonny Helm.  They recorded and self-released a string of rock albums before moving to London.  The band gigged constantly in the capital, recording their own CDs and singles and selling them at gigs, but it was not until early this year that they got a breakthrough when they signed to Moshi Moshi Records and released their official debut album Instant Coffee Baby.  The album has attracted national media attention and praise for their stripped-down lead guitar, bass guitar and drums line-up.  The Guardian was especially impressed: “charming, witty pop songs shot through with Jonathan Richman’s gawky glee and Suede’s doomed provincial romanticism.”

www.thewavepictures.com
www.myspace.com/thewavepictures

Crowns are a folk-punk band from Launceston, Cornwall formed in 2010, after relocating to London.  One of their first big breaks came at the end of their first year when they were invited to play support to The Pogues at London’s Brixton Academy on their Christmas tour by the band’s tin whistle player Spider Stacy.  Continuing to strengthen their reputation as a formidable live act, Crowns ended last year supporting The King Blues on their November UK tour.  The band consists of lead singer and guitarist Bill Jefferson, mandolinist Jack Speckleton and drummer Nathan Hayes, and their sound is partly inspired by traditional Cornish songs.

www.crownsband.com
www.myspace.com/crownsband

After working flat-out all over the UK in 2011 and winning a faithful following from Glastonbury and Cambridge right up to Orkney and the Isle of Lewis, London-based band Bard will be releasing their much-anticipated debut album at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival in early 2012.  Never afraid of simplicity in music, the front man of the band, Theo Bard, shares philosophies, perspectives and poetry with an unusual honesty and lucidity.  Inspired by the clarity of storytelling in traditional folk, he weaves his own stories with a rare lyrical power.  This is English folk for the 21^st century - great songs performed with style and entertaining inventiveness.  "Astute observations of modern life" - Time Out. 

www.wearebard.com  
www.myspace.com/theobard

Smoky-voiced young folk singer and songwriter Rachel grew up in the small village of Carrbridge in the Highlands of Scotland.  Rachel and her younger brother and sister spent their childhood making up songs and plays to amuse themselves and their parents.  Later, Rachel learnt to play the guitar, refined her songwriting skills and started performing at local folk clubs.  A chance meeting with Mumford and Sons at one of their gigs led to interest from Communion Records and bookings in London.  She became the youngest artist to play the BBC’s Celtic Connections festival last January, going on to play in New York at the SXSW Festival and many other UK festivals.  “Incredibly promising… we’re sure she has an illustrious career ahead of her’ - The Independent.

www.rachelsermanni.net
www.myspace.com/rachelsermanni

JP played last year’s Larmer Tree as a late replacement for an artist who dropped out, and he blew the crowd away with his mix of folk, blues, soul and gospel.  Hailing from Middleton, Manchester, JP has been singing with the Manchester Sing Out Choir for the last few years, an unusual training ground for an acoustic singer-songwriter perhaps, but one that has enabled him to develop an exceptionally soulful warmth to his remarkable voice, whilst retaining an intimate folksy style.  Although not signed to a major label JP has recorded two 4-track EPs in his bedroom, and has since sold 500 copies.  He is now working on a third EP – this time with a full backing band and gospel singers.

www.jpcooper.co.uk 
www.myspace.com/jpcoopermusic

The group was originally founded in 1978 by singer-songwriter Anthony McCartan from Belfast and multi-instrumentalist Geoff Coombs from Essex.  As the years rolled by there were frequent changes in lineup, but the band always made a point of including members from diverse musical backgrounds to maintain a fresh, original approach to traditional Irish music.  The current members have developed their own songwriting skills, while adding a touch of rock, pop and jazz to the mix.  An astonishing array of acoustic instruments including fiddle, double bass, bouzouki, flute, saxophone, guitar, banjo, dulcimer, whistle and mandolin allow them to create an unmistakable sound, tinged with a large dose of humour, a measure of eccentricity, and an abiding sense of fun.

www.churchfitters.com  
www.myspace.com/churchfitters

South London siblings Matthew Lowe and his sister Julia are the inspiration behind Keston Cobblers Club.  The children of fervent musicians, they grew up writing and performing music from an early age, surrounded by a host of unusual musical instruments for them to tinker with.  Determined to form their own band to create contemporary catchy music fused with the wholesome grittiness of traditional folk, in the summer of 2009 they recruited Tom Sweet and Bethan Ecclestone, and they were away.  Quickly gaining a big reputation on the London scene, they were soon in great demand on the festival circuit, with performances at Glastonbury, Leefest, Green Man, and many others.  Delicate harmonies, down-to-earth lyrics and the use of an eclectic range of instruments are the forte of this young band who are mature beyond their years.

www.kestoncobblersclub.com
www.myspace.com/keston_cobblers_club

The Lasting Days are a Bristol-based band formed by lead singer and guitarist/violinist Richard Smith late in 2007.  Audiences in the West Country immediately latched onto the five-piece’s powerful blend of alt-americana and indie-rock accompanied by lyrical boy-girl harmonies, with the young outfit quickly clocking up over one hundred shows and festivals.  Their reputation spread as far as Canada where their music was used on the reality TV series Departures.  The band, who all met at Exeter University, released their debut album  October, Looking South early in 2011, which had Suit Yourself magazine cooing “the depth of emotion, the skillful wordplay and painstaking instrumentals means October, Looking South demands a wider audience and here’s hoping the band get it.” 

www.myspace.com/lastingdays 
www.thelastingdays.co.uk   

Midlands folk-pop quintet Boat To Row are a comparatively new band, but they are already making waves on the live music and festival circuit.  They played Truck Festival, 2000 Trees and Moseley Folk Festival last year, making a lot of new friends with honest and engaging sounds.  With Michael King on lead vocals, David on drums and percussion, Benjamin on bass and banjo, Faye on violin and mandolin and Hannah playing the melodica and glockenspiel amongst other things, there is plenty of room for diversity in their music!  The band write all their own material which they say “covers a many-head spectrum of lyrical themes, gliding from young love and tender friendships to outdoor sauntering and nautical fantasy!”

www.myspace.com/boattorow  

Raised in Taunton, Somerset, Ali spent his schooldays dreaming of becoming a saxophonist, but when he could not raise the money to buy the instrument, he was inspired by the music of blues artists like Leadbelly, John Lee Hooker and Robert Johnson to turn his attention to the guitar.  Ali set about learning to play the instrument, developing his own folk-blues style, and began writing his own songs.  Moving to London four years ago, he began singing at acoustic music venues and open mic nights, quickly establishing himself as a performer around the capital.  With a partner, Ali also formed a promotions company Stroke Your Beard and spends a lot of time getting bookings for independent artists of many different genres and backgrounds.

www.soundcloud.com/aliwarren

More info coming soon.....

www.still-moving.co.uk/dj

During the day Club Larmer once again turns into a space for talks, film, theatre and a little bit of comedy, all aimed at adults.  Capacity is limited, so don’t miss out - arrive early!  Check out our What Else? pages for the programme…

Unexpected frivolities and obscure spectacles to amaze and tickle your senses are performed by a variety of first class street theatre artists.  Keep your eyes peeled for crazy characters, lavish costumes, puppetry, clownery and more!  Check out our What Else? pages for the programme…

From Friday to Sunday everyone will make stunning costumes, banners and a main figurehead to show off in Sunday’s ever-popular carnival procession... fun, frolics and frivolities are the order on this Sunday!

Check out our What Else? pages for details of all the group themes.

Calling all kids to the Larmer Lawns for a jam-packed programme of shows, hands on activities and workshops to get stuck into from 2pm Thursday through to Sunday afternoon!

Check out our What Else? pages for full details of the programme...

Going from strength to strength, the Woodland Crafts area next to Lostwood is back providing the ideal opportunity to watch demonstrations or try your hand at a variety of traditional handcrafts with master craftspeople.  Check out our What Else? pages for the programme…

The YouthZone for 11-17 year olds is the place to make new friends, catch up with old ones and learn a new craft, musical skill, or just chill out and make the YouthZone your own.  Check out our What Else? pages for the programme…

There's so much more than just music on offer at Larmer Tree, especially for adults, from crafts to dance workshops, learning to play a new musical instrument or helping to adorn the gardens with your own piece of art!  Check out our What Else? pages for the programme…

We know you love the spellbinding storytelling, poetry, spoken and written word workshops and performances for all ages in Lostwood, the beautiful glades concealed by trees.  Check out our What Else? pages for the programme…