LINE-Up
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omega nebula
Electronic future-dub duo Omega Nebula are a force. Their music takes the most powerful elements of dub reggae and dubstep and rolls them into uplifting, emotionally weighted anthems with a unique sonic identity. Taking influence from the UK sound system scene, dub clubs and bass driven subcultures, their huge sound is heart shaking, their message profound, and their energy invigorating.
Omega Nebula are fresh, exciting and their momentum is unwavering. With world class music that encompasses messages of unity, love, peace and progression, this dynamic duo absolutely cannot fail to win the hearts and minds of the new dub generation and old school dub reggae veterans alike.
With continuous support from BBC DJ’s on 1Xtra and BBC 6, Omega Nebula are speedily on the rise and their live show is a must see!
stone foundation
Stone Foundation celebrated an incredible 25 years of success in 2023 with the release of the retrospective anthology ‘Standing In The Light’. The album boasts an enviable list of collaborators from the best of British (Paul Weller, Mick Talbot (Style Council), Dr Robert, Graham Parker and more) to the finest American soul voices (Durand Jones, Melba Moore, Bettye LaVette.
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This constantly evolving band have always ploughed their own furrow and made their own luck. They have enjoyed national airplay from BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 2, rave reviews from a huge range of publications, played Glastonbury and sold out headline shows at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire and the Electric Ballroom. Stone Foundation have recently opened for Madness, The Specials, Jamiroquai, Mavis Staples and Paul Weller.
sari schorr
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With a five-octave range and a voice that effortlessly traverses rock, blues, and soul, it is always the voice that introduces you to Sari Schorr.
Born in Queens, New York, Sari began her craft working the music scene in the South Bronx and on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Her rise has seen her performing at Carnegie Hall, selling out concert halls in Europe, and headlining festivals internationally.
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An artist in demand for collaborations, Sari thrives on artistic growth through exciting and inventive artistic partnerships. In recent years, Sari has worked with Robin Trower, Kiefer Sutherland, The Sweet and Popa Chubby to name but a few.
BAka beyond
Baka Beyond's sound is a fusion of music influenced by the Baka people, African rhythms and traditional Celtic tunes. A combination of soul-stirring West African traditional rhythms, singing and dance of the Baka, with Celtic folk harmonies and singing "with powerful percussion section, rhythmic guitar and fiery fiddle…". Each musician has contributed their own style to the band. Baka Beyond is a collaborative music process, learned from the Baka people.
"If there has to be a definition of world music, this is it" said BBC's Andy Kershaw. Reviewers have found "It was impossible to resist the relentlessly upbeat nature of the music". "The party atmosphere is irrepressible," says the Evening Standard. "If you are not dancing, maybe you should have someone check your pulse."
louis cardozo
with the jam collective
Louis is an independent Bristol-based artist with a taste for fast-paced lyrics and Spanish guitar. Influenced by vintage Blues, soul, jazz and Latin records, he blends catchy, foot tapping melodies with sentimental lyrics, bringing both energy and soul to his shows.
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Bursting on to the scene in 2020 with his debut single, Amaneciendo en Cuba, Louis has released a number of singles since, all of which lean into his jazz and Latin sound as well as his quirky Spanish guitar that permeate a number of his tracks.
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The singer-songwriter kickstarted 2024 with his brand new single, Fly, a cinematic piano ballad accompanied by a music video of the first authentic flying piano.
tia gordon
Tia Gordon is a singer-songwriter from Kent who’s been singing since the age of 4. Given a guitar by her best friend in her teenage years, she started writing and producing her own songs and secretly putting them on Soundcloud to positive reactions, giving her the confidence to continue making original content.
Tia was invited to apply for the 2022 BBC Introducing Live Lounge competition and finished as runner up, outperforming hundreds of other applicants and impressing award winning judges Mahalia & Mabel.
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Last year saw Tia release her debut EP ‘with love. x’ to great reception. The 5 track project was supported by lead single ‘a little love for myself’ and it shows her writing at her most vulnerable yet. Drawing from personal experiences, Tia truly wears her heart on her sleeve as she talks about love lost, love found and everything in between. Tia continues to release more music and perform at a string of shows.
Emily Burridge
Emily Burridge is a virtuoso cellist, composer, performer & producer whose deft improvisational and compositional skills create sublime music, fluidly crossing genres both classical and contemporary.
In the hands of Emily, this instrument becomes a voice for her personal experiences, her emotions, and her thoughts as she amalgamates in her productions and collaborations melodies, rhythms, sounds from her field recordings, and various instruments.
“In her compositions, Emily is capable of gathering, in a truly spontaneous way, elements derived from her classical upbringing, together those coming from the ethnic musics she has lived with.”
Her music was described in The Musician as “fascinating and unique” and in Europe – European Progressive Music “music that is deep, thoughtful and also lifts your spirits”
helen porter &
karen wimhurst
jazz duo
Helen and Karen‘s programme interweaves original material with tunes you know and love. Soaring vocals, mellow and gutsy clarinet tones, jazz inflected, virtuosic improvisation; this is a collaboration spanning twenty years, infusing the festival with warmth, intimacy and good humour. Expect the unexpected and a really great musical experience
ibni rocks
In a world increasingly defined by screens and gadgets, ten-year-old Ibni Rocks is charting an extraordinary path that inspires awe and admiration. Ibni is not your average kid; he’s a multi-instrumentalist, composer, performer, teacher, and even a magician. He has developed a strong ability to play by ear and from the heart, engaging audiences worldwide while maintaining his screen-free, homeschooled background in Mere, just 8 miles from Semley
Ibni started very young. He banged on cardboard boxes and pots at two years old, drummed at three, and performed with the Master Drummers of Ghana at seven. Today, he plays the piano, drums, tabla, and handpan, proving himself to be a master of instruments and genres with a tremendous amount of skill and passion.
lussa
Lussa is a new upcoming traditional band, consisting of four members.
During their time studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the band discovered their natural connection and formed Lussa in 2023. Inspired by the Latin word for “Light” their style is bright, joyous, fresh and their arrangements draw inspiration from their different traditional upbringings from across the Globe
bobby & steve
Acclaimed DJs, pioneering promoters, long running radio presenters, record producers and business partners in the iconic Groove Odyssey brand, Bobby & Steve have reached legendary status in the soulful house and disco scene.
Their Zoo Experience show on Kiss FM from the late 1980s helped popularise garage music in the UK and inspired the names of their first record labels.
They have been regular guest DJ’s at the biggest club nights across the globe with residencies at Ministry of Sound, Fabric and Go Ibiza.
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festival voices
Come and sing with us – an informal group of music lovers led by choral director Karen Wimhurst.
If you love to sing, you can add your voice to our choir from scratch – whatever your level of experience. We want passion, not perfection.
Rehearsals in Semley Church on 16/23/30 June from 7 - 8.30pm will prepare for an a cappella performance of world music on the main stage on Saturday.
This is free to all ticket holders. For more details and to book your place contact us:
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07711 617 563
friday evening Who's on & when
7.15 - 8.15pm
lussa
8.30 - 9.45pm
louis cardozo
with the jam collective
10.00 - 11.30pm
omega nebula
saturday
Who's on &
when
12.00 - 12.45pm
festival voices​
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1.00 - 1.45pm
emily burridge​
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2.00 - 2.45pm
ibni rocks​
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3.00 - 3.30pm
words & music for
the planet​
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3.45 - 4.45pm
baka beyond​
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5.00 - 5.45pm
karen wimhurst/helen porter jazz duo​
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6.00 - 7.15pm
sari schorr​
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7.30 - 8.30pm
tia gordon​
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8.45 - 10.00pm
stone foundation​
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10.15 - 11.30pm
bobby & Steve
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11.30 - 12 midnight
unplugged
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Sunday
What's on
11.00am - 7.00pm
The day will feature...
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feeling good
family ceilidh
yoga
tai chi
sound healing
meditation
spa treatments
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feeling green
eco fashion workshops
children's art workshops
storytelling
poetry & soundscapes
film screenings
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All timings and running order to be confirmed