VANCOUVER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL
Some Great and Familiar Names Among a Roster of Over 60 Artists

THE PROCLAIMERS will be among the headline acts performing at this year's annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival.

Dick Gaughan, The Proclaimers, Tony McManus, The Paperboys - there are some great and familiar names among the roster of 60 plus artists and groups at this year's Vancouver Folk Music Festival, which runs from July 17-19 at Jericho Beach Park.

The chance to hear Gaughan's masterful guitar-playing and stories is an all-too-rare treat that fans of this former Boys of the Lough member, and one of the leading lights of the Scottish folk revival, will no doubt flock to enjoy.

So, too, the opportunity to catch up with the Reid twins, Charlie and Craig (aka The Proclaimers), to find out where their infectious blend of folk, pop and politics has taken them lately.

Tony McManus' Celtic guitar mastery always plucks a tune and the strings of your heart simultaneously. And who doesn't look forward to the fun and sheer energy that a Paperboys live show delivers.

But there are also a couple of names that you may not know - but will very soon! The rousing, sharp-suited Bellowhead were first unleashed onto an unsuspecting audience at the Oxford festival in April 2004.

The band is a collective of talented disparate musicians capable of playing many styles, idioms and textures from around the world - big band to soul; jazz-funk to classical strings - yet who retain, at their heart, an exquisite sensitivity to the essence of English traditional music.

This riotous 11 piece big band became a massive and immediate hit - winning BBC Radio's "Best Live Band" title three years in a row. Theatrical, intelligent, galvanizing - this will be a group not to miss.

And watch out for a magical collaboration between British producer/rock guitarist Justin Adams, who's played with Robert Plant and others, and Gambian riti (one-string spike fiddle) player Juldeh Camara.

Together they create a hypnotic sound that's a mix of bluesy grit and the urban sensibilities of rock with desert grooves, and old-school R&B.

A mix of the familiar and great new discoveries - who could ask for more from a festival? Early Bird ticket discounts are available until June 14! Visit www.thefestival.bc.ca for a full festival roster and to purchase - or call (604) 602-9798. Check the website for local outlets.

TOP - or - Back to Headlines