These are the music events for 2024
Festival Saturday
Free entertainment supported by a grant from Nailsworth Town Council
From 10.00 am until mid-afternoon
The free entertainment should appeal to all the family. As ever, there will be a market and many other activities across the town with Duck Races, courtesy of Nailsworth PTFA. Watch out for the Eco Fancy Dress competition from 11.15 am and “Face Painting” by Jack’s Beauty Bar between 11am and 3pm.
Entertainment in Mortimer Gardens
10.00 Blues Triad - Hill Country blues from the deep south of Gloucestershire
10.30 Leo Live - Playing crowd-pleasing tunes
11.15 Children’s Eco Fancy Dress Competition
11.45 Punch and Judy - much loved puppet show by Poulton’s Puppets, with a modern approach to traditional entertainment.
12.15 Moonlighting Swing Band - playing Swing Jazz from the era before Rock ’n’ Roll
13.00 Leo Live with more popular live music
13.45 Nailsworth Primary School Choir - always a hit with their enthusiasm and lovely singing
14.15 More laughs with Punch and Judy
14.45 Moonlighting Swing Band - bring your dancing shoes
Buskers in Market Street:
10.50 - 11.20 Blues Triad
11.30 - 12.00 Nailsworth Community Choir
12.00 - 14.00 Folk music from the Fruit Bowlers
“Fauré 100” with Martin Roscoe on piano and Fenella Humphreys on violin
Sponsored in memory of the late Robert Stiling, Brownshill, Stroud
7.30 pm
At Christ Church, GL6 0DQ
£15
With the 100th anniversary of Fauré’s death approaching in the Autumn of 2024, Martin Roscoe and award-winning violinist Fenella Humphreys have put together a beautiful programme of French music by Fauré and his Belle Epoque contemporaries. An evening of delightful music not to be missed.
The programme includes Fauré’s Romance op. 28, his Andante op. 75 and his Sonata no. 1 op 13. Compositions by his teacher and friend Saint-Saëns, by Ravel, Enescu, and Lili Boulanger also feature.
Refreshments available
“Moody Sky - Golden Roots"
Musical poetry with Pete Ways & Shelley Rider
7.30 pm
At Mortimer Room, GL6 0DU
£6
An evening of musical poetry featuring a range of acoustic colours, melodies and words brought to you by Pete Ways and Shelley Rider.
Pete is a renowned singer and composer continuing his musical journey in the UK. He was originally from Poland, where he had a varied musical career. He will sing original poems, written by Shelley and transformed into songs.
Shelley is a poet who has lived in Nailsworth for 20 years. She is involved in the local community and is a member of St George’s poetry group. During the evening they will launch their debut album “Moody Sky”.
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Frankie Archer
The Nailsworth Festival Richard Valentine Memorial Folk Concert
7.30pm
At Ruskin Mill, GL6 0LA
£12
Frankie Archer is fresh on the scene and shaking up genres and traditions, sharing lesser-told sides of stories, championing women, challenging perspectives and calling for a fairer future, to a unique mix of synths, samples, drum tracks, earthy fiddle, and voice.
Her imaginative and bold fusion of genres shows her Northumbrian fiddle roots, her deep love of electronic music and her immersion in soulful folk songs from the North East of England and around the world.
Frankie’s music has been played on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 6Music. ‘Over the Border’ was chosen by Fatea for their Showcase Session and ‘Close the Coalhouse Door’ was included on the BBC Introducing Mixtape.
“Gorgeous trad playing and creative vocal twists... a fascinating and intoxicating blend of the contemporary and the traditional.” - Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2
To book please contact
Ruskin Mill 01453 837537
Five Valleys Acoustic & Roots
Six musical acts, all based in and around the Five Valleys
7.30 pm
At Three Storeys, GL6 0JE (entrance in Town Hall car park)
£10
Bringing to the Festival both original and familiar songs in folk, roots, Americana, blues and popular styles. This promises to be a highly entertaining evening, in the intimate venue of Three Storeys, packed with great music!
Charlie’s Angels: Sweet harmonies from Jan and Anne.
Frostbiter: Irrepressible duo with an act that you won’t forget.
Lyn Briggs: Singer-songwriter living in Stroud.
The Peekies: Chris and Christina, a highly popular husband and wife duo.
Pete Blackwell: Better known as one of the Boogie Bop Boys, Pete also writes some fine songs of his own.
Tim Hughes: Folky blues with songs inspired by Nailsworth and surrounding area.
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Elvis in “Blue Hawaii”
The brand-new comedy from Spitz & Co
7.30 pm
At Town Hall, GL6 0JF,
£12
Expect the usual mayhem and lots of audience interaction - plus all your favourite Elvis songs. Award-winning Elvis impersonator Joe Reeve (Best Sideburns: GlosVegas 2014) stars in his version of the classic Elvis film “Blue Hawaii”. His long- time tour manager, Josephine Cunningham, is there to keep the show on the road... next stop: Vegas!
A musical comedy which will leave you all shook up. So, dig out your best Hawaiian shirt and escape to Paradise! Family friendly show - suitable for all ages.
“The funniest and silliest thing I’ve ever seen - pure joy!” Stagetalk Magazine on Gloriator
“Riotous slapstick and immaculate comic timing.” The Stage on Spitz & Co.
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Moscow Drug Club
A welcome return for Moscow Drug Club presenting their unique show.
7.30 pm
At Town Hall, GL6 0JF
£15
A curious musical place where elements of Berlin Cabaret, Latin Tinge, French Musette and storytelling meet...
Imagine having a few to drink and staggering arm in arm into the darkness of an Eastern European cobbled street and stumbling into a bar where Django Reinhardt and Tom Waits are having an after-hours jam with the local Tziganes.
Combining their original material with songs by the likes of Jaques Brel, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen & Eartha Kitt, Moscow Drug Club deliver an intoxicating and intimate musical experience.
Moscow Drug Club have played some great venues and festivals of note including: WOMAD, National Theatre London, International Gypsy Guitar Festival, Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, Purbeck Folk Festival, Royal Albert Hall, Bristol Beacon, Birmingham Jazz Festival and Bristol International Jazz & Blues Festival.
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