Chagstock, Chagford, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th July
By Jenna Richards
The third Chagstock music festival kicks off on Friday 17th July.
Top bands and artists are set to wow the crowds during the two day event held in a large field at Whiddon Down.
New wave, power pop favourites Squeeze will be headlining the festival. The band, which came to prominence in the late 70s with such favourites as Cool for Cats, Up the Junction and Black Coffee in Bed, have an ability for narrating a good domestic yarn and promise to be a top festival finish.
Comedian Adrian Edmondson’s Bad Shepherds will also take the stage on Saturday, their high octane brand of classic punk tunes in a folk style promises to get the festival crowd on their feet.
Also on the bill for Saturday night is former Torbay’s got talent winner Alex Hart. Since winning the competition aged 15 Alex has developed her musical style and along the way impressed many renowned industry experts.
Plus The Dastards! A band who don’t really fit into any of the typical genres, they combine interesting lyrics with intricate guitar patterns and distinctive vocals. South Devon rock band the Morris Brothers Band with their alternative, progressive rock combined with modern influences. Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and Paul Simon covers band The Cat in the Hat will appear and so will the Chagstock organiser’s band No Crisis and much, much more.
Friday night sees Mercury Music Prize nominated Seth Lakeman topping the bill with his brand of rhythmic folk-indie tunes. Seth’s 2006 album Freedom Fields has notched up more than 100,000 sales in the UK alone and helped Seth build on his traditional cult following.
Local acoustic guitarist Ella Edmonson is also on the bill for Friday night. She sights her influences as artists such as Martha Wainwright, Sheryl Crow, Rufus Wainwright and Alanis Morrisette, and plays music that sounds not unlike the Cranberries.
Friday night also plays host to a band billed as one of the best in the South West, Johnny Fuller and Guests. Plus Devon based acoustic singer/songwriter Cole Stacey and Life Of Reilly a band that grew out of the live Irish music sessions held in and around Gloucestershire.
Chagstock started life as a private gathering for around 100 friends in 2003. The event grew and in 2007 organisers opened up the festival in an attempt to bring the friendly intimate vibe to the public.
Organisers said the idea has always been to provide space for good energy and entertainment without getting too commercial. They aim to stay true to this philosophy as the event matures and establishes itself over the coming years.
Any excess cash made will be donated to worthy causes such as the Devon Air Ambulance.
Tickets cost £45 for adults for the full festival, camping is available on site. An adult ticket costs £30 for the Saturday and £20 for Friday night. Cheaper tickets are available for children and discounts apply for families. Please see www.chagstock.info for more information.