Contact:
Jacey Bedford of
Jacey Bedford Tour Management
01484 606230
agency(at)jacey-bedford.com

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Artists

Appalachian Roots
Artisan
Cara Luft with Hugh McMillan
Chuck & Albert
Churchfitters
Cloudstreet
Dan McKinnon
Dave Pegg and PJ Wright
Eileen McGann with David K
Isambarde
James Keelaghan
Mad Agnes
Mighty Zulu Nation
The Outside Track
Shep Woolley
Tania Opland & Mike Freeman
William Pint & Felicia Dale

and recent retirees - Tanglefoot

Churchfitters (UK / Ireland / France)

"I knew as soon as I saw Boris's instruments that the Churchfitters were going to be interesting. However, on watching their set I can honestly say that they are the most musically inventive quartet that I have seen in decades. They received a standing ovation from the festival. Go and see them and you will understand why. A must.” - DAVE PEGG, FAIRPORT CONVENTION AND CROPREDY FESTIVAL

Soundfiles: Go here to listen to extracts from all their CDs
Click to listen to: Housecarpenter or Sing! (For Our Time on Earth)
And here's their own website.
Tourdates 2010: 20th - 30th May // 30th Sept - 9th Oct (4 dates left)
Tourdates 2011: 21st - 31st Jan (only 2 dates left) // 29th Sept - 9th Oct

"We've had them annually when they're over from France (I also booked them for a small Essex Festival) and we get over 200 in or even sell out. They are fantastic musicians, very original and they pull the crowds in." - Elaine Barker Colchester Folk Club at St Mary's Arts Centre

This Brittany based group of musicians from England, Ireland and France is taking UK audiences by storm with their unique and energetic perfomances. Four dynamic personalities present a fast-paced infectious show full of fresh, original songwriting as well as rearranged songs and tunes from the British Isles, uniting the rhythms of rock, pop and jazz with the universal appeal of traditional music. Outstanding vocals and an astonishing array of acoustic instruments including fiddle, double bass, bouzouki, flute, saxophone, guitar, banjo, dulcimer, whistle and mandolin allow them to create their unmistakable sound. A large dose of humour, a measure of eccentricity and an abiding sense of fun complete the band's recipe for truly entertaining performances.

ROSIE SHORT - Lead vocals, flute, tin-whistle, dulcimer, banjo, soprano sax, ukelele, guitar, percussion
CHRIS SHORT - Violin, mandolin, vocals, percussion, tin-whistle
TOPHER LOUDON - Lead vocals, bouzouki, guitar, bass banjo, percussion
BORIS LEBRET - Bass banjo, double bass, bouzouki, percussion, vocals

THE DISS MERCURY :
"Their act is full of energy, excitement and fun...so good that they turned a packed audience into a hollering horde, unwilling to let them go..."

Churchfitters was founded in 1978 by singer/songwriter Anthony McCartan from Belfast and multi-instrumentist Geoff Coombs from Essex. Rosie Short joined soon after its formation having previously been playing in a London-based traditional Irish outfit. During the years that followed, the group frequently changed its line-up making a point of always including members from diverse musical backgrounds in order to maintain a fresh and original approach to Irish music. They enjoyed great success on the East Anglian folk scene before slimming down to a duo (Anthony and Rosie) in order to tour extensively throughout Europe and even as far as Australia. In 1993 the duo decided to move to Brittany and was joined by Rosie's brother Chris who had been in London playing in World, Irish and Bluegrass groups. From their base in Brittany they then toured as a trio throughout France and Europe until Anthony's departure in early 2004. With the arrival of Boris Lebret (double bass and percussion) and Topher Loudon (vocals and guitar), the group's tradition of breaking with the more classic treatment of Irish music has been upheld. Topher's rock background and Boris's experience with diverse styles of contemporary music create the driving rythmns over which Chris and Rosie's more melodic and folky styles are laid.

SUFFOLKONLINE.NET :
"I knew they came highly recommended but previous publicity had not prepared me for how amazing they are in the flesh!"

FOLKING.COM :
"These are musicians who know how to wring every last drop of passion from a song...Organisers !!!…book this band, you won’t be disappointed."

And the unique and unmistakable sound of the Churchfitters continues ...

The Churchfitters have performed over a thousand concerts in France since their arrival in Brittany. In recent years, they have also been touring regularlyin the UK, performing at Festivals, (including Warwick, Chester, Cromer Folk on the Pier, Middlewich, Suffolk & Good and Bury St Edminds), Concert Halls and Folk Clubs, (including Colchester Arts Centre, The Halfmoon, Putney, Komedia, Brighton, Kings Lynn Arts Centre, Fisher Theatre, Bungay, Reeth Memorial Hall and the Black Swan Folk Club, York. They've built up and enthusiastic audience and played many sell-out events. they played at Fairport's Cropredy Festival in 2009.

TECH SPECS
For halls clubs and small theatres Churchfitters are completely self contained with PA.
Festivals and l;arge venues download their tech spec here.