Steve Knightley and Phil Beer - better known as the award-winning, Albert Hall-filling Show of Hands - celebrate the second year of their patronage of the popular Trowbridge Village Pump Festival in Wiltshire this month and introduce stand-out young folk band, Mawkin.
The Exeter duo, winners of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Live Act title in 2004, were invited to become the first patrons of the festival last year and will headline on Stage 1 on Friday, July 25.
The festival at Stowford Manor Farm in Wiltshire takes place July 24-27 and Phil Beer is delighted he will get to introduce one of his favourite bands - - the legendary Little Feat. Formed in Los Angeles in 1969 by Lowell George they are sure to make an impact with their uinique mix of blues, country and rock 'n' roll. Other Trowbridge headliners include the mighty Richard Thompson, Don McLean, Oysterband, Cara Dillon and Michael McGoldrick Big Band.
Part of the patronage arrangement see Show of Hands nominating a new young performer for a debut spot at the festival each year. Last year's choice was 20 year-old North Devon singer songwriter Jenna Witts whose first acoustic album, Barefoot and Eager was produced by Steve and attracted great reviews in the likes of the Daily Telegraph and Financial Times. Jenna previously toured and made a CD with Steve and Seth Lakeman as Western Approaches.
Mawkin1smThis year, Steve and Phil have chosen exciting Essex-based young folk act Mawkin for the honour. They will perform on Stage 2 on Saturday, July 26.
Mawkin have played at innumerable festivals and comprise Dave Delarre on guitar, Alex Smith on melodeons, Danny Crump on bass guitar and James Delarre on fiddle. Melding together traditional melodies and driving rhythms they create a wall of sound delivered with stomping energy and panache. A recent development also saw them joining forces with Jim Causley as Mawkin:Causley. www.mawkin.co.uk
Last year, the much-missed Alan Briars, who brought the 35 year-old Trowbridge Festival to fruition with the late Dave Newman, said: "We have never had a patron before. Steve and Phil very much fit the bill at Trowbridge, not just because of their popularity here, but because of their professionalism, attitude, talent and approach to the music business - their ethos is very similar to ours at the festival .."
Says Steve: "We were pleased and flattered to be asked to put our names to this great event. Trowbridge is the one festival we will always turn up at whether we're booked or not! It offers great music, a raucous and good natured crowd, fine food and ale, plus a real West Country welcome in a glorious Wiltshire valley - what more could you want?!"
More information at www.trowbridgefestival.co.uk
