 | | |
 |
|
SALSA CELTICA
More Info: Official Website
|
| | |
One of the best arguments ever for musical cross pollination, Scotland's Salsa Celtica take the skirl of Scottish music and mix it up with Latin America, creating one of the most exciting live experiences around. Always a popular live band, they've toured around the world to hugely enthusiastic audiences. Expect some Latin fireworks with a decidedly tartan tinge…
|
| | |
 |
|
INDIGO GIRLS
More Info: Official Website
|
| | |
Equally influenced by the more obvious mentor of Joni Mitchell and the slightly less obvious approach of punk, Georgia's Indigo Girls first came to prominence on the back of the late 80s singer-songwriter revival which also brought us Suzanne Vega and Tracy Chapman. REM's Michael Stipe initially championed the duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers and they've released a string of successful albums. Their second, 1989's Indigo Girls, won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Recording. and the slightly less obvious approach of punk, Georgia's Indigo Girls first came to prominence on the back of the late 80s singer-songwriter revival which also brought us Suzanne Vega and Tracy Chapman. REM's Michael Stipe initially championed the duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers and they've released a string of successful albums. Their second, 1989's Indigo Girls, won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Recording.
|
| | |
 |
|
JOHN PRINE
More Info: Official Website , Folk Artist Database
|
| | |
It's taken him a while, but he's made it - after being forced to pull out of last year's festival due to a broken elbow, John Prine takes the main stage. One of the best singer-songwriters America has produced in the last 30 years, Prine's songs have been recorded by a host of artists even while he's retained a low key approach to his own prodigious talents.
|
| | |
 |
|
KATE RUSBY BAND
More Info: Official Website, Interview, Folk Artist Database
|
| | |
Combining an endearing stage persona with a voice that could sing the phonebook and make you cry, Kate Rusby is one of the most important singers in British folk music today. Her last album, Little Lights, was many a critic's choice for folk album of 2001, and found her adding a blossoming songwriting gift to her arsenal of talents. Who Will Sing Me Lullabyes, a touching tribute to deceased Battlefield Band founder Davey Steele, was named Best Original Song at the 2002 Folk Awards. As ever she's ably backed by husband John McCusker, one of the best instrumentalist working in folk today and the man behind the music in the BBC Folk Site's Virtual Session.
|
| | |
 |
|
THE DUBLINERS
More Info: Unofficial Website, Folk Artist Database
|
| | |
Despite the absence of Ronnie Drew who left in 1995, The Dubliners continue to thrill audiences across the world with their inimitable blend of traditional tunes, good-humoured craic and fine playing. One of the cornerstones of the Irish folk revival, they are a much loved Irish institution and a guarantee of a good time. Over the years they've worked with artists as diverse as The Pogues, Rory Gallagher, Hothouse Flowers and De Danaan, but have always retained their endearingly unpretentious approach.
|
| | |
 |
|
CARA DILLON
More Info: Official Website, Interview
|
| | |
Last year Cara played the Club tent, but her graduation to the main stage comes as the culmination of a truly remarkable year. Her eponymous debut solo album appeared to great critical fanfare, marking her as one of the most promising young talents to emerge since a certain Ms Rusby. Her crystalline singing voice has been winning her plaudits since she was 14, when she won the All Ireland Singing Trophy. Also like Ms. Rusby, she was a member of the much-hyped Equation who had found her true voice as a solo artist. She's also the holder of a brace of Radio 2 Folk Awards, no doubt with more to come, and has even been known to sneak onto the daytime Radio 2 playlist - not many folk singers can boast that feat!
|
| | |
 |
|
ALISON BROWN QUARTET
More Info: Official Website
|
| | |
First coming to prominence as a member of Alison Krauss' Union Station, Alison Brown might well have been an investment banker had she not decided to pursue her passion from bluegrass! A truly gifted banjo player, she comes from similar territory as Bela Fleck, and incorporates jazz elements into her music with ease. Similar eclecticism perhaps accounts for the presence of the Spiderman Theme on her latest album, Replay. When she's not gracing the stages of the world, Alison also finds time to run American roots label Compass Records.
|
| | |
 |
|
COOPE BOYES AND SIMPSON
More Info: Official Website, Radio 2 Folk Artist Database , Feature
|
| | |
Also appearing as part of Blue Murder, Barry Coope, Jim Boyes and Lester Simpson are a great act in their own right and one of the most prolific groups around. A list of the many projects they've been involved in is beyond the scope of this brief summary, but suffice to say they've been a consistently great advert for unaccompanied harmony singing and committed, intelligent songwriting. For a closer look at their acclaimed Passchendaele Suite, check the feature above.
|
| | |
 |
|
GIVE WAY
More Info: Young Folk Awards 2002
|
| | |
Winners of the 2001 Radio 2 Young Folk Awards, Give Way are four sisters from Edinburgh. Barely into their teens, they play an exhilirating mix of traditional Scottish and folk music. They also triumphed at Celtic Connections 2001, winning the Danny Kyle Open Stage award. Hopefully this appearance will be another triumph.
Note: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites. |
| |
|
