Sweeps Festival Band Biographies
Sweeps Festival Band Biographies
Sweeps Festival Band Biographies
Sweeps Festival Band Biographies
Sweeps Festival Band Biographies
Find out more about the bands performing at the Rochester Sweeps Festival 2023
Sur Les Docks
A return for the French favourites of Sweeps who have become Medway favourites, taking the Castle Gardens by storm on their last appearances.
They play original songs and tunes in the style of a ‘Gallic’ Pogues and their performances are full of vigour, excitement and musical talent.
The Singing Loins
The sad demise of Chris Broderick has highlighted the enormous affection and respect created by Medway’s own Singing Loins.
Since 2022, the remaining members plus friends have repeatedly sold out shows and it’s fitting that Sweeps stages a concert as their last public performance was some years ago at this very festival.
Chris Broderick's manuscripts, notes, photos, films and memorabilia can be viewed in a special drop-in session at Medway Archives on Saturday, 29 April (10-12pm). For details, click here.
The philosophy of our large group of musicians is as follows: Dance as a goal to free our souls from worldliness and travel across time and space ties our roots.
Here you will find news related to folklore and Galician culture in London.
Stompin Dave
Stompin Dave – A unique entertainer, Dave performs blues, bluegrass, folk, etc on voice, guitar, banjo, fiddle, piano, harmonica, and tap dancing.
Jacob Bride's 'Mercurial'
British, Nordic, and Eastern European folk music featuring vocalists Jacob Bride, Arianna Ransley, Aline Stewart, a nine-piece professional band, and singers from 'The Coast Consort' and 'The Bradstow Singers' performing in Rochester Cathedral nave around the 5000 year old oak that has been fashioned into the Fenland Project – a 30 metre table touring the British Isles
The Beard Conspiracy
The Beard Conspiracy are a three-piece ensemble based in the south east of England. Comprised of accordion, guitar, tuba and vocals, they play a dazzling array of fast paced tango, classical and klezmer with an eclectic blend of contemporary classics as you’ve never heard them before.
They have been astounding audiences with their musical virtuosity and impeccable manners for the past two years and are the only band performing music from Shostakovitch to Britney Spears on the same set! A great evening guaranteed.
TwoManTing was formed in 2004 when Sierra Leonean drummer Jah-man Aggrey, and guitarist Jon Lewis were playing together as part of dance band, Le Cod Afrique, at venues such as Montreux Jazz Festival and WOMAD. The duo immediately became a hit on the UK festival circuit with their brand of bouncy “Sunshine Afro-roots”.
All female shanty group from Southend who sing with gusto, expression and great harmonies.
Great bluegrass music from the Maidstone based band who sprung from Wheeler Street some years ago.
In demand in the Middle East and other hot spots, you can’t really describe the Fezheads. Be prepared for magical trickery, sand dances and audience participation, willing and unwilling.
The band has sprung from the group that used to play for the Tanglefoot Appalachian dance group. Viv Bonney is a vastly experienced accordion player who has been around he Kentish folk scene for many years.
Four-piece band, based in East Sussex, who play and sing a range of eclectic material from traditional folk songs, to classical guitar duets and more contemporary music on a variety of instruments including psaltery, flute, kalimba, bouzouki and guitars.
The Suffolk based folk/rock band have been regular guests and supporters of the Sweeps festival.
Featuring ‘Wicker Man’ fiddler Ian Cutler, the band play a mixture of World roots music and original compositions on violin, guitar, bass and vocals.
Play a mixture of tradtional folk, sea shanties and music hall rythmns in that Medway sound that recalls The Singing Loins, Billy Bragg and the Pogues influences.
Three brothers who have been around the folk scene for many years delighting audiences with their high volume traditional folk songs on trumpet, accordion and bass guitar. Definite crowd pleasers and the festival is glad to see them back in action.
Singer/songwriter from Thanet who has been a troubadour in the truest sense, taking his music and talent around the world.
Ellerby, Price and Lowrie are an all female trio from Medway boasting strong harmonies alongside fine musical interpretation.
Ian will be at the festival in a number of guises with his own band and in this duo with Sue where they will perform a range of Americana numbers and other songs in harmony.
Uplifting music on a variety of instruments including saxophone, Gypskazz are a feel good outfit who dominate the stage. Prepare to dance to their rythmns anchored on drums by the talented CJ.
Also will be hosting the City Wall Wine Bar Stage and performing in any gaps solo and with guitarist Dave Reay. CJ is also a capped England Women’s cricketer and no mean goalkeeper and runs highly successful singarounds around the Canterbury area.
Another favourite of Sweeps, their countrified folk sound has always gone down well with audiences in Kent. Plenty of original songs too.
Our friends from East Sussex travel to Kent for a celebration of drumming, adding another dimension to the festival.
Paul is a terrific singer and guitarist whose onstage persona is dynamic.
New to Sweeps but featuring former Bubble Band fiddler Krista and some members of Gypskazz. Modern, original & trad folk with a jazzy twist & punky heart.
Sweeps fans of some vintage will remember folk/rockers Ted Can’t Hear Ya fronted by Paul Johnson who is back with a new line up.
Another new name and band exploring Celtic and folk/rock music.
Billed as the Folk Pixie, Rosie, from Devon, is no stranger to Sweeps and is coincidentally a professional weather forecaster.
Multi talented melodeon and fiddle player with a new album of traditional music.
A double stomping indie folk duo armed with banjo, guitar, ukulele, two voices and stomp boxes.
Irreverent singalong three piece band in cowboy hats Glastonbury favourites.
This is a selection of performers – there are many more who will take to the stages over the weekend.
