Feast of free music as six-day festival heads for the heart of York
Prepare for a summer smorgasbord of live bands and artists as York’s Little Festival of Live Music brings six days of rock, folk, punk and more to the heart of the city.
After last year’s terrific three-day event, there’s double the bands and artists to enjoy.
The Little Festival of Live Music runs from Sunday, June 22 to Saturday, June 28, with a day off on the Tuesday.
Each night of the family-friendly festival will see four artists play sets between 5pm and 9pm.
Admission is free. Funds raised during the festival will go to York Against Cancer.
Showcasing the work of both established musicians and introducing the work of new and upcoming performers, the Little Music Fest will include a wide range of musical genres.
Folk, Americana, rock, punk, indie, opera/ pop and country are all featured, and there will be many acoustic sessions.
“We have a high quality line-up for the festival, where not one act is the same as the other,” said festival organiser Ellen Cole
“I am very pleased with what the festival has achieved so far and look forward to many more years of celebrating the region’s finest talent, whilst at the same time fundraising for local charities.”
The line up
Sunday, June 22
5pm: Sarah Dean
Singer, songwriter and harpist, she is also known as “the incredible string blonde”.
6pm: King Courgette
Old-time vegetable string band from York, featuring banjos, ukuleles, violin, washboard and a whole lot more.
7pm: John Storey
His songs are sometimes serious, sometimes humorous, and usually reflect his observations from living and working in Yorkshire.
8pm: Mulholland
From a parallel universe where Neil Young joined the Band rather than CSN and they all moved to York, crowd pleasers Mulholland bring their own take on Americana.
Monday, June 23
5pm: Bryony Drake
Singing about her personal experiences, Bryony describes her music as “folky, melancholy, fingerpicky stuff”.
6pm: Minster Conspiracy
Winners of the G-Factor competition at the Galtres Festival 2013, Minster Conspiracy are a young punk rock band who are going places.
7pm: Kirby Howarth
Acoustic laid back new wave punk indie folk from Kirby, who has had tracks produced by Bill Nelson from Be Bop Delux and has done sessions for the BBC.
8pm: Blind Eye
This high energy trio write music fuelled on bands such as The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Biffy Clyro and Muse.
Wednesday, June 25
5pm: Lizzie Wilson
Nineteen year old country music singer songwriter Lizzie is a familiar face and sound from open mics and festivals in York.
6pm: Over The Yardarm
These fierce folksters create acoustic instrumental music that they want you to dance “or at least fidget” to.
7pm: Vesper Walk
Sisters Catherine Cowan and Lisa Marie Baker throw themselves into their dramatic, four hand piano music with sumptuous vocal harmonies.
8pm: Pelico
Acoustic Festival of Britain veterans Pelico have created a sound described as energetic, authentic, good-vibe indie/ folk/ rock.
Thursday, June 26
5pm: To The Blue
6pm: Two Reasons Why
Influenced by the likes of Mumford and Sons and Ben Howard, the duo combine the defining undertone of folk music from song writer Joe, with the powerful and soulful voice of Lucy.
7pm: According To Eve
Guitarist Tim Downie and vocalist Eve Maule-Cole create an acoustic mix of jazz blues covers and originals.
8pm: Dream Of Apollo
The York five piece blend rock, blues, pop, indie, country and folk all into a sound that is very definitely their own.
Friday, June 27
5pm: Boss Caine
Renowned York performer Boss Caine has almost as many fantastic reviews as he has songs. His influences? “Various vices and broken hearts.”
6pm: Everlate
You may have caught the alternative pop/ rock four piece at Fibbers or busking in various locations around York.
7pm: Barcode Zebra
The Yorkshire quartet are back in town having toured the UK and Europe with their catchy brand of soul-tinged pop funk.
8pm: Surf Sluts
The psychobilly surf rockers bring their crazed Beach Boys sound to their home town, the well know surfers’ paradise of York.
Saturday, June 28
5pm: James Gillespie
An acoustic singer songwriter who combines rock, pop, blues and hip hop influences, James has an international fan base.
6pm: Laura Kindelan
The young, up and coming singer songwriter has recently played the Basement, and is often found busking on York’s streets
7pm: The Rusty Pegs
Formed three years ago, The Rusty Pegs are a band whose love of country knows no limits. Influences include Dolly Parton and Mary Chapin Carpenter.
8pm: The Blueprints
A band who go all out to entertain, The Blueprints are known for their catchy melodies underlaid by punchy basslines, guitar and piano riffs.
- The festival will take place in the Music Marquee on Parliament Street from 5-9pm and admission is free
- For more go to the festival’s Facebook page, the blog, or follow @Live_Music_Fest on Twitter
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