|
|
|
Festival HistoryThe Linton Festival was started in 2001 when some of the regulars of The Alma Inn realised it would be cheaper to get The Producers to come to Linton, rather than hire a mini bus and drive all the way to Poole in Dorset. So instead of having one band, we thought "what the hell?" and so we booked the weekend and got the beer in... The rest is history! 2007 FestivalThe Linton Music Festival 2007 (22nd-24th June)Now in its seventh year, Linton Music Festival 2007 promised to be the best yet, with 10 tremendous bands appearing over the three day festival weekend. The years headline acts were ‘Dave Finnegan’s Commitments’ (Friday), ‘The Ian Siegal Band’ (Saturday afternoon), ‘Nine Below Zero’ (Saturday evening) and to close the festival on Sunday, British pop legends ‘The Manfreds’, fronted by the charismatic Paul Jones.Friday Night kicked off with ‘The Stumble’, a classic Chicago style blues band featuring the stunning guitar work of Colin Black andamp; Johnny Spencer. Then came The great Stax andamp; Atlantic sounds from the cult 80’s film ‘The Commitments’. Dave Finnegan is the original man from the blockbuster film who played the part of and#39;Mickah Wallaceand#39; the drummer and bouncer. For the last 12 years he has been the voice of The Commitments, and tours with his superb band spreading the gospel of soul worldwide!. Saturday opened with ‘Slowburner’ the premier rock band from the West Midlands delivering electrifying Randamp;B in the style of ‘Bad Company’ and ‘Free’. ‘Funkydory’ follow with their original blues funk sound. The ‘Ian Siegal Band’ headline the afternoon session; Ian has been described as one of the most inventive British Blues Artists and a singer who is in a class of his own. To kick start Saturday evening Linton imported ‘Phil Bee and the Buzz Tones’ from Holland for their first ever British gig. This 8 piece outfit have been wowing audiences at major festivals throughout Europe. ‘Nine Below Zero’ who have been together on the Randamp;B circuit for 20 years bring the curtain down on Saturday night with a high energy show featuring the powerhouse vocals and guitar of Dennis Greaves and Mark Feltham on Guitar. Sunday was a more laid back family occasion and started with ‘The Barfly’s’, followed by the stunning non-stop-jump-jive-rhythm-and-boogie sounds of the ‘Doctor Teeth Big Band’. The festival came to its climax with ‘The Manfreds’ featuring the inimitable ‘Paul Jones’. Visit the Bands 2007 page and the Programme 2007 page, for full festival details. 2006 Festival OverviewNow in its 6th year, the Linton Music Festival has come a long way, growing into a spectacular 3-day festival and establishing itself as one of the areas top summer events, attracting top international artists and earning glowing reviews in the general andamp; musical press. “A huge party”,andnbsp; “Linton lets its hair down”,andnbsp; “A great music festival” and “Just how festivals used to be” were just some of the accolades made by both visitors and performers recounting 2005. With preparations now fully underway, the organisers are determined not to rest on their laurels and have set out to make 2006 the biggest and most dazzling festival yet. A decision to extend the musical approach will see 9 bands performing, spanning the musical genres from pop to rock and from soul to swing, in addition to the established offering of high tempo rhythm and blues. Friday night sees the acclaimed show ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ taking the stage. The 10 piece band creates a high-energy, foot-stomping show featuring over 45 of the finest soul, blues and rhythm ‘n’ blues classics immortalised in the legendary ‘Blues Brothers’ movie. Saturday night sees Festival headliners ‘Dr Feelgood’ centre stage. Performing for over 30 years ‘Dr. Feelgood’ have a worldwide following for their unique blend of rhythm andamp; blues; once seen never forgotten - the best live act around! Sunday is a more laid back family occasion and ‘The Cadillac Kings’ will be serving up a contagious blend of the steamiest, swingiest, boogie, jump jive and rock ‘n roll - music to put a smile on your face and your feet on the dance floor. If the music alone isn’t enough to persuade you to come along, then consider the fact that a beer festival organised by the Alma Inn (CAMRA joint pub of the year 2005) is run in parallel. Over 20 top quality local real ales andamp; ciders will be available to quench your thirst over the weekend. And the best thing of all - its all for the benefit of local charities. Over its history, the festival has raised well in excess of £20,000!. The 2006 Linton Festival was held on Friday 21st July - Saturday 22nd July - Sunday 23rd July2006 band line up:Giles For detailed biographies for each of the bands in the 2006 line up, go to Bands 2006 (or click on the band name above). Linton Festival 2005 ReportThis year's Festival was blessed this year with 3 days of glorious weather creating an idyllic atmosphere. The event had a full capacity crowd on Friday, opened by Clique, a duo from Gloucester and the followed by Rumour's Of Fleetwood Mac, from Liverpool who are the premier Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band. Their set covered both the early Peter Green years and the later Buckingham / Nicks material. Saturday kicked off with the high energy jazz influenced blues of the Matt Schofield Trio, Matt a rising star on the Blues scene is from Gloucester. Matt was followed by Big Joe Louis and His Blues Kings, a rare treat, as the Band seldom play outside London and the Southeast. They played their individual style of good-time rockabilly blues. Next came Dana Gillespie and the London Blues Band, who gave a fabulous set of rocking RandB, featuring the amazing talents of Dino Baptise on keyboards and Matt Schofield on lead guitar. Saturday was headlined by Sherman Robertson and Blues Move, Sherman from Houston, Texas is one of the top Blues guitarists on the scene. He pulled out all the stops and gave us an unforgettable evening with his own brand of soulful blues. Sunday started off with Out Go The Lights a blues trio from Bristol who gave us a great show of classic blues covers. They were followed by Ricochet, a young high-energy band from Banbury, who went down a storm with the audience. They featured a 3 lead guitar line-up and played rock classics from Status Quo, Creedence Clearwater Revival etc. Sunday was headlined by Lightnin' Willie and The Poorboys who played their own brand of country influenced blues. Willie went walk-about amongst the straw bales to the delight of the audience and provided a memorable finish to the event. A special thanks is due to all the committee members and helpers who have worked hard through the year to make this event such a big success. A big thanks to Graham and Lynn Webb for allowing the event to take place in the grounds of The Alma Inn. Linton Festival 2005 photosWe have some great 2005 Photo's which have now been loaded onto the website, click on the photo's of any band on the left of the page to see the action. If you want to recall the atmosphere take a look at this ... and then book your tickets for 2006!The photos have been kindly supplied by Ian Godsave, John Hickman and Bob Muncey. If you would like to use any of the photos please ask for permission and don't forget to display the relevant copyright notice. We can also supply 'hi res' versions of particular photos. All for a good causeEach year we donate the proceeds from the Festival to local charities (see Supported Charities) and good causes.Financially, this year's festival was a big success, enabling £3000 to be donated to six local charities, Linton Brownies, Linton Church Bells, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Gorsley Pre-School and Playgroup, Aston Ingham Scout Group, Pound Farm and Newent School trip to Kenya. Local Sponsors provided a very welcome cash input, these were Sutton Hydraulics, Ideal Carpets, Andy Clarke, Severn Print, Weymann's (milk delivery), Chicory Crops, Dawley Services, General Tool Store, Gorsley Surfacing. The Forrester (1.4Mb) Hereford Times (114Kb) --o0o-- Festival Report 2004The Linton Festival of Music and Ale took place over the midsummer weekend and although most of the rain missed us it was very chilly in the evenings.The Friday night was sold out in advance again - due to the overwhelming attraction of Talon, the Eagles tribute band, whose drummer Simon Milest lives in Linton. Talon put on a fantastic show featuring all the favourite Eagles hits and a selection of songs from the band members solo careers. Saturday and Sunday featured some of the UK's leading blues bands including Spooky Blues, Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges and Otis Grand. And what a treat. Charities supportedWe have again raised a substantial amount for our local charities and the presentation of cheques will take place in The Alma Inn, Linton sometime in September.The success of the festival as enabled a large sum of money to be donated to local charities and causes including: Salters Hill Charity (Pound Farm), Aspire (formally 'Mencap Herefordshire' providing services for people with Learning Disabilities), The Scouts (Aston Ingham Scout Group), St John Ambulance and Royal National College for the Blind Bands 2005
Bands 2004
Bands 2003
Bands 2002
Bands 2001
|
