Dive into the rich tapestry of music and festivities at this year’s Banbury Canal Festival. Scheduled as part of the broader celebration, the Waterside Bar at General Foods Sports & Social Club is set to be a hub of musical talent. The Banbury Folk Club has curated an enchanting line-up to grace us over the weekend.
Saturday’s Melodic Canvas
The Afternoon Maestro:
Mark Pidgeon, not just a singer/songwriter but also the heart behind Wychwood Folk Club, is set to set the ball rolling on Saturday as our MC.
New Sounds, Familiar Faces:
Watch out for the fresh Trio, The Ol’ Deers. Comprising Pete Laurie, David Walls, and Pat Baker, they promise to bring a refreshing musical wave.
Power Packed Performances:
Dave Arrowsmith, recently seen touring with Leatherat, is next in line. And as we immerse in the theme of the canal festival, we’ll witness the magic of Caroline Watsham. A canal dweller herself, she surprises with her range, including a performance with The Saw!
Celebrating Local Talent:
Kim Hobday, a favourite in the local circuit, sets the stage for the evening’s highlight, Gerry Colvin. Highly regarded by DJ John Peel, Gerry’s songwriting prowess is renowned nationwide. He’s graced stages from Cropredy to other national festivals. Celebrating two decades of partnership, Marion Fleetwood, an icon herself with affiliations to Feast Of Fiddles, Trad Arrr, IOTA, and Fleetwood Cave, joins him.
Sunday’s Symphony
Behind the Mic:
Puritans Radio’s Richard Hamilton takes the helm as MC.
A Star-Studded Start:
Rebecca Mileham, known for her collaborations with Liam Vincent & the Odd Foxes, kickstarts the day. And she’s bringing some stellar friends!
Echoes of the Canal:
Beverley Gray, a local sensation, warms up the stage for Canal Dweller and historian, Ian Staples. With close ties to Tooley’s Boatyard, his performance promises to resonate with the canal’s legacy.
Musical Maestros:
Mike Bisiker, with his deep canal associations, and Kevin O’Regan, a singer/songwriter now author, accompanied by Kevin T Ward, add depth to the day’s line-up.
Crowning the Festival:
Ending the weekend on a high note, we have the trio of songwriters – Linda Watkins, Marian Wedley, and Mark Neil, united as Noah’s Cape. Their melodies, celebrated at Banbury Folk Club, have been echoing across the country.
Indulge & Shop
While your ears feast on the tunes, don’t forget to treat your taste buds with the cake stalls on offer. And for the memorabilia enthusiasts, there’s a merchandise stand stacked with CDs, books, and more.
This musical rendezvous is a fraction of what the Banbury Canal Festival 2023, as featured in our Canal Festival article.
