6ix Toys
Friday 2nd July 2010 video
It's going to be a fierce opening set from 6ix Toys. Hold tight - here comes that show-stopping 7-piece funk monster!
These guys know how to jump the funk, they'll keep us busy shaking our derriere. Based in and giggin' out of Liverpool, 6ix Toys have spent the last twelve months taking their debut album on the road, blazing a trail through festivals near and far, and causing a riot in clubs across Europe.
The Mouse Outfit
Friday 2nd July 2010 myspace
Recently featuring on The Craig Charles Funk Show, the Soul Show on BBC6 and Ras Kwame's Homegrown show and podcasts from BBC 1Extra, The Mouse Outfit are going places... Fresh out of the BBC's legendary Maida Vale Studios - this 8 piece live hip hop funk act will knock your socks off, then demand you dance barefoot!
Chloe Leavers
Saturday 3rd July 2010 facebook
Chloe Leavers is a singer songwriter of extraordinary talent from Colwyn Bay, North Wales. Influenced by artists such as Sufjan Stevens, The Innocence Mission, Beth Orton, and Bon Iver, her songs have a mesmerizing and ethereal quality. Her distinctive and softly delivered voice expresses a purity and emotion through melodies that gently rise and fall, and must be experienced live.
Having gained experience singing with other artists in the UK and across the Atlantic, she is now writing and recording her own material for the first time, with producer Sam Jones (Corinne Bailey Rae, Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys, Soweto Kinch, Stoney, and Reverend and The Makers).
Chloe is in the earliest stages of pursuing her music career but undoubtedly has a promising future ahead of her. Chloe will be gigging throughout 2010.
Julia Harris
Saturday 3rd July 2010 video
Cape Town, Seychelles and Dublin make up just some of the places Julia has lived, but the last few years have seen Julia settle back into her native Wales. This 'dreadlocked angel' is fast carving out her own unique sound and attracting an array of fans from all over the country, supporting the likes of Damien Rice and Welsh songstress Amy Wadge, as well as Ireland's Declan O' Rourke and The Hot House Flowers.
Stuart McCallum & Band
Saturday 3rd July 2010 video 1 video 2
The guitarist for The Cinematic Orchestra, Stuart also has an extensive career as a solo artist, performing and recording with Kenny Wheeler, John Surman, Ari Hoenig, Tim Garland and Don Weller.
Stuart's original use of loops and effects combined with extensive harmonic knowledge make him one of the most in demand guitarists on the scene today. His music covers both ends of the emotional spectrum - from the mesmerising beauty to the explosively turbulent energy.
Fredo
Friday 2nd July 2010 myspace
Fredo is DJ and Producer with 6ix Toys and also represents The No Fakin' DJs. Still a young lad, he has toured extensively from Oslo to Malawi, Texas to Warsaw.
This year under the Fredo banner he has already dropped the massive 'Squadron Face' on Tru Thoughts records, whilst his work with the band continues to gain widespread critical acclaim.
Whether performing with 6ixtoys, No Fakin' DJs or alone, Fredo's turntable exploits light up crowds each week with a pure party set including music diverse as Salsa, Rockabilly, Hip Hop, Funk, Reggae and Dub old and new, all getting in on the act.
Matt Deficit
Fri/Sat 3rd - 4th July 2010 video
Expect deep, soulful, beats and basslines to wind things down in The Tipi, so rest your feet and let your mind do the dancing!
DJ, promoter and one of the original members of the Locked Soundsystem - Matt has been pushing the underground music scene in and around North Wales for the last 9 years.
Since starting out primarily as a Drum & Bass DJ at the beginning of the last decade, Matt's tastes have expanded far and beyond. These days you can find him spinning anything from dub, dubstep and garage to deep & tech house, techno and everything in between.
The Safires
Saturday 3rd July 2010 video
Describing themselves as perpetrators of an 'acoustic alchemy', The Safires flit from chill out, to folk, to drum and bass and beatboxing.
Their distinctive style has already caught the attention of legend Nitin Sawhney, stating: "The stunning blend of Bex's wistful vocals with the raw hard edge of Kirk's searingly powerful tones forges a melting pot of sonic bliss. A cool backdrop of cutting edge riffs and beats sets the scene. Perfect for all seasons."
Rich folk vocals, inevitably winning Bex Mather rare comparisons to Sandy Denny, and intricate fingerpicking are seemingly juxtaposed by an electronic ether of synths, programmed beats, live drums and gorgeous strings arrangements.
The Nice Sharp Pencils
Saturday 3rd July 2010 video
"Goodbye guitars, hello drums and bass!, Halifax based two piece The Nice Sharp Pencils shun guitars for a stripped down approach that skips the stereo-typical blues stylings favoured by The White Stripes and The Black Keys, The Nice Sharp Pencils are quite clearly innovators and not just another set of imitators" - Laura Mary (Blood Red Shoes)
"A thunderous slab of sexy distorted, cymbal crashing, melodic brilliance" - Rock Sound
Kev Fox
Saturday 3rd July 2010 video
"Usually I’m not over keen on acoustic acts but Kev Fox is a raw, emotive performer who has some killer tunes. With the strength of somebody like Damien Rice, playing over loops, delay and reverb, Kev’s act is immensely powerful and soulful putting references of The Verve and early U2 in mind. Haunting and brilliant, I truly can’t recommend him enough..." - Clash Magazine
"On his own Kev Fox is special, combined with drums and double bass as he is tonight he is someone that you want to shout from the rooftops about. His loops and guitar mix with the backing to create something pretty powerful indeed. The songs are sensitive and soulful and Fox's soaring vocals lend them a sense of beauty that is rarely seen anymore." - Guestlist Magazine
Becca & The Broken Biscuits
Saturday 3rd July 2010 myspace
"Becca's songs have always been sweet treats, but with the added dimension of the Broken Biscuits, particularly Anna’s heartbreaking cello, they have become that little bit more special. This is grown-up, thoughtful, emotional music that cuts to your heart and feeds your soul and it is simply beautiful." - Chris Long, BBC Manchester
"Becca Williams brings a bluesy touch to acoustic sessions. Reminiscent of Joni Mitchell and Martha Wainwright she combines a quirky outlook on songwriting with a down to earth approach to making music, thus providing songs which are as attentive to detail as they are easy to listen to!" - TROF Northern
Twilight Elevators
Saturday 3rd July 2010 myspace
Twilight Elevators hail from the high hills of West Yorkshire. Initially a duo consisting of Marc Ransley on resonator guitar and Joss Worthington on vocals and bass, the band was completed by the arrival of Chris Smith on drums in September 2009. Their influences range from a wide variety of Alternative and Americana acts past and present, and their sound is a collage of rock, folk, country and blues served up with a post modern English twist.
Billy No Fear
Saturday 3rd July 2010 video
Billy No Fear was formed in early 2009, originally calling themselves Coat & Curtains. After being sued by a haberdashery in Norwich, the band were forced to change their name. The trio consists of Philip Elbourne, Jo Marsh and Emily-Ruth Warren, French students at the University of Chester, who since graduating have moved in together and adopted a pet goat (Billy).