England’s most dynamic fiddle line-up are tuning up to hit the road again in April for their 19th consecutive annual tour – fielding some of the most legendary names in folk, and a new addition.
The flamboyant Feast of Fiddles – the fabulous fiddling sextet and their inventive backline – marked their “coming of age” last year and their yearly spring tours which take in the Easter holiday, have become a highlight on the folk calendar.
The celebrated 11-piece collective combines the colossal talents of some of Britain’s top fiddlers in a flourish of fretwork – Fairport Convention’s Chris Leslie, Steeleye Span’s brilliant bowman Peter Knight, Bully Wee Band’s Ian Cutler and ex Battlefield Band’s Brian McNeill joining forces with Garry Blakeley (Band of Two) and Tom Leary (John B Spencer Trio/Albion Morris).
The sizzling “backing band” is led by band founder Hugh Crabtree on accordion and iconic folk-rock drummer Dave Mattacks, who has played with Fairport, Steeleye and Richard Thompson as well as the likes of Paul McCartney, Elton John and Chris Rea. Now living in the USA, the master drummer has played on a staggering number of diverse recordings. Also in the engine room are John Underwood and Martin Vincent on acoustic and electric guitars and Dave Harding on bass – virtuosos all.
Always something of a moveable feast, this year, due to some unavoidable diary clashes, Chris Leslie will be joining the tour for the last leg, from Milton Keynes onwards, whilst Show of Hands’ busy multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer is due to swell the ranks at the opening gigs at Nettlebed, just ahead of Show of Hands’ 20th year celebration at the Royal Albert Hall, which is close to sell-out. (Phil was named Musician of the Year in the 2011 Spiral Awards).
“New kid on the block”, bringing the sound of sax and keyboards to the Feast of Fiddles mix for the first time, will be Alan Whetton, who has played with everyone that is anyone from Dexy’s Midnight Runners to Pete Waterman, The Manfreds, Vin Garbutt, Shakin’ Stevens and Cliff Richard.
Alan, who has been playing saxophone since the age of ten, has worked across numerous genres, from R & B to dance and big bands, folk, rock ‘n’ roll and musical theatre.
Says Hugh Crabtree: “We’re delighted that Alan is joining us this year – he will bring something completely different to the feast!”
The uplifting annual musical extravaganza that is the Feast of Fiddles tour began as a humble one-off for Oxfordshire’s Nettlebed Folk Club and has grown into a full-blooded two and a half hour life-affirming show with an appeal that has grown far beyond a folk audience. A true family show, it appeals equally to young people learning fiddle and their foot- tapping grandparents.
What the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain have done for the uke, Feast of Fiddles have undoubtedly done for the violin with key appearances at festivals from Cropredy to Broadstairs, Gosport & Fareham Easter Festival to The Great British Beer Festival. The feats of the fiddlers know no bounds and audiences should be prepared for anything – from trad numbers to Deep Purple; Fairport standards to The Shadows and theme music from James Bond to the Magnificent Seven!
See the band performing the “Pirates of the Caribbean” theme tune at their Chatham finale last year
The 14-night 2012 Feast of Fiddles tour will open with a traditional two nights at Nettlebed Folk Club on April 2 and 3 (the first date is already sold out) and continue until April 15, with gigs from Exeter’s Corn Exchange on Good Friday to Blackpool’s Grand Theatre on Easter Sunday.
Feast of Fiddles’ latest vibrant CD Walk Before You Fly which the band will be showcasing on tour – is their first all-in-studio album for 16 years! Mixed in with the well-known tunes are originals by Crabtree, Leary, Blakeley and McNeill.
Full tour schedule follows. More info at www.feastoffiddles.com
APRIL 2012
Mon 2nd – Nettlebed Village Club – 01628 636620 – www.nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk SOLD OUT
Tues 3rd – Nettlebed Village Club – 01628 636620 – www.nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk
Weds 4th – The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury – 01684 295074 – www.rosestheatre.org
Thurs 5th – Town Hall, Marlborough – 01672 512465 – www.marlboroughfolk-roots.co.uk
Fri 6th – Corn Exchange, Exeter – 01392 665866 – www.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange
Sat 7th – Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd – 08000 147111 www.muni.rct-arts.org
Sun 8th – Blackpool, Grand Theatre – 01253 290190 – www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk
Mon 9th – Leeds, City Varieties – 0113 243 0808 – www.cityvarieties.co.uk
Tues 10th – Alnwick, The Playhouse – 01665 510785 – www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk
Weds 11th – Lichfield, Guildhall – 01543 262223 – www.lichfieldarts.org.uk
Thurs 12th – Milton Keynes, The Stables – 01908 280800 – www.stables.org
Fri 13th – Worcester, Huntington Hall – 01905 611427 – www.worcesterlive.co.uk
Sat 14th – Lowdham Village Hall, Notts – 01159 663596 – www.warthogpromotions.com
Sun 15th – The Brook Theatre, Chatham – 01634 241108 – www.medway.gov.uk/theatres
A bigger line-up than ever before…….but still YOUR Towersey!