BLUEGRASS, OLD-TIME & AMERICANA MUSIC
2022 LINE-UP
Evie Ladin and Keith Terry (USA)
California duo Evie Ladin and Keith Terry perform an entertaining mix of Appalachian roots music, step dance and body percussion. Multi-talented singer, songwriter, clawhammer banjo player and step dancer Evie Ladin has been playing banjo from the age of eight and clogging since she was just five! She is steeped in traditional Appalachian music and dance, but also brings a contemporary vision to her work. Versatile musician and dancer Keith Terry takes care of double bass and percussion. Founder of the International Body Music Festival and a skilled proponent of the art of body percussion, Keith has performed and taught at prestigious venues worldwide. Together, Evie and Keith create a mesmerising live show full of variety.
Midnight Skyracer (UK)
IBMA Momentum Award nominated bluegrass band, Midnight Skyracer have been tearing up the UK bluegrass and folk scene since their inception . Their all star lineup and exciting live performances have sent them racing skywards at an astounding pace right from the start, with Leanne Thorose’s powerhouse vocals and driving mandolin; Tabitha Agnew’s sweet voice and virtuosic banjo playing; Eleanor Wilkie’s rock solid bass grooves; Laura Carrivick’s flair, being equally adept on both fiddle and dobro; and twin sister Charlotte’s agility on the guitar, with both sisters filling in the vocal harmonies.
“…these varied aspects of their musical personalities contribute to the greater good of a band playing for the song, for the singer, for the music.” Ron Block of Alison Krauss & Union Station
Aaron Jonah Lewis (US)
“Fiddlin’ and banjoin’ genius Aaron Jonah Lewis: multiple award-winning fiddler, banjo player extraordinaire, Aaron is well known for taking audiences at concerts and festivals by storm both here in the UK and in the USA… Aaron is rapidly becoming iconic, not just on account of his virtuosity but because of his rapport with his audience. Skills in abundance, passion and presence. All that, then in addition, charisma, pure creativity, and SOUL.”
“I’ve heard quite a lot of old-time fiddle and banjo playing, trust me, but I’ve never heard it like this… played at break-neck speeds, Aaron’s fiddle whipping around tight corners like a high-end sports car… It’s like watching Bach hopped up on speed, composing kickass barn dance tunes in Appalachia… [Aaron is] a player you need to watch.”
Jaywalkers
As those who have been fortunate enough to catch them in full flight will testify, a Jaywalkers show is an exhilarating experience. UK-based they may be but many from the other side of the Atlantic have complimented them on their particularly stylish delivery of this virtuosic brand of Americana. These three outstanding musicians have developed a tight bond, demonstrated through their well-crafted, tasteful arrangements and ability to bounce ideas around the stage. The combination of powerhouse bass, flame-fingered mandolin, blistering fiddle and three-part harmony pack a punch as fiery as Jay’s lead vocals and make a fuller sound than expected from an acoustic trio.
Mishra (UK)
Mishra are a global folk outfit gathering momentum on the UK scene. Their tight web of intricate, Indian-influenced original music defies definition and is already bringing them awards recognition from just under two years of performing. Led by Kate Griffin’s voice and inimitable clawhammer banjo and driven by Ford Collier’s continent-hopping instrumental skills (Indian tabla, African calabash, Irish whistle and guitar), they won Cambridge Folk Festival’s first ever Christian Raphael prize and in separate projects were both shortlisted for the 2018 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards. Both already accomplished folk musicians (The Drystones and The Unsung Roots) 2018 saw them play Sidmouth Folk Week, Cambridge Folk Festival, Priddy Folk Festival and many more. Until 2019, Mishra performed as a duo under the name Kate Griffin and Ford Collier; their sound has now been further underpinned by the addition of versatile jazz-folk double-bassist and bouzouki player Joss Mann-Hazell
The Firecrackers (UK)
Old time party time. Forged by many joyful late-night sessions, The Firecrackers play party tunes and songs taking inspiration from the high energy music of their fiddle heroes from the 1800’s to the present day. Songs and tunes from the Camp Creek Boys, Skillet lickers, Earl Collins, The Foghorn String Band and The Wandering Ramblers all feature in their lively set.
The Firecrackers are Paul Wood, Dave Proctor on fiddle / mandolin / vocals Emily Smith on fiddle /vocals, Carly Green on banjo / feet, Andy Quelch on guitar / vocals and Graeme Parry on bass. Their combined credits include The Midnight Specials, The Brickyard Rounders, A&E Oldtime String Band, Ragged Out String Band), and their name is inspired by their red-headed fiddlers!
Tilter Wheel (UK)
Their line up consists of:
Simon Brady- Mandolin /guitar & lead vocals
Jonny Hulme -Banjo/ Guitar and harmony vocals
Cliff Woodworth - Fiddle
Roberto- Ruiz - Double Bass
We have been trying to book these guys for three years but they have never been able to join us due to other commitments. We are in for a treat.
Jock Tyldesley and Vera Van Heeringen
Jock Tyldesley and Vera Van Heeringen are no strangers to Crossover festival. They have performed in various combination of line ups. We welcome them back as a duo. You can expect a mix of Old Time, Cajun, and self penned songs and a mix of instruments to match from these talented multiinstrumentalists.
Stevie O'Connor Band
Stevie O’Connor is an award winning Country Artist. Entertaining fans across the UK with his powerhouse vocals, infectious guitar/banjo picking and high energy performance live shows. He catapults passion in every word he sings, and every note played. Writing songs from a young age Stevie honed his craft, playing as a session musician with some of the biggest names within the industry. From this he found his true calling… in country music
Steve & Ben Somers Band
Ben is back with us this year in a different format; in the family line up with Steve Somers playing a mix of fun Country Songs. his year
Lowly Strung
Maidstone-based Lowly Strung, an exhilarating five-piece Americana/bluegrass band, have been building a sizeable and passionate following across Kent for their vibrant and exciting blend of country and bluegrass music that has had younger music fans whooping and hollering with enthusiasm.
Jaeja
Formed for an expedition to the uncharted bluegrass territory of Iceland, Jæja is a contemporary bluegrass quartet composed of four inquisitive young musicians from the UK, mixing influences of jazz, old time, metal and Icelandic folk.
Guitar powerhouse, Bragi Ólafsson from Reykjavik is joined by Evan Davies (The Often Herd - mandolin), Sam Rose (Hot Rock Pilgrims - bass), and Kieran Towers (Pet Yeti - fiddle) to create thoughtful original instrumental music.
Sapphire Storm (Full Band)
Sapphire Storm is a new Bluegrass/ Country music project from Eleanor Wilkie and Leanne Thorose (Midnight Skyracer). A quirky mix of self penned songs from the new album' Two Hearts and a Double Shot of Whisky', and some country and bluegrass favourites. For Crossover they will be performing as a full band along with Kieran Towers (fiddle), Bruno Pichler (dobro), Leon Hunt (banjo), Lewis Cohen (vocals/guitar) Josh Clark (drums), Emily Cross (backing vocals).
Jason Titley and Leon Hunt
After spending more than two decades working together in various band settings, of all shapes and sizes, Leon Hunt and Jason Titley have amazingly only just discovered the delights of playing as a duo. Don't miss this amazingly talented banjo/guitar duo!
The Foreign Landers
“Hearing The Foreign Landers for the first time immediately landed a huge smile on my face and for a moment allowed escape from all the negative noise in the world. Tabitha and David simply sound like two people who are meant to make music together. The playing, singing, and arrangements are all so wonderful—I’m a fan!”
- Sierra Hull
Bakerfield
‘Bakerfield’ are an acoustic duo from Staffordshire, formed in 2010 after spending many years paying their dues in various musical fields. They performed online every week during 'lockdown' and recorded a CD in that time too featuring a lot of self-penned songs from this guitar/double bass duo.
The Fountaineers
Tethered by an interest in American roots and bluegrass music rarely found in Scotland, The Fountaineers formed as a quartet during the summer of socially-distanced interactions (2020).
Having found space of their own in Glasgow, a home renowned for its fierce traditional music scene, Callum MT (mandolin), Jeri Foreman (fiddle), Michael Wright (guitar/vocals) and Rob Hart (banjo) are creating music that adheres to traditions, fosters creativity and blends the progressive intent found in shared musical heroes such as Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Tony Rice and Allison Krauss and Union Station.
Swamp Chicken String Band
Formed by the banks of the Tay, Swamp Chicken are a new stringband playing old time music in Scotland. Drawing on many years of old time, bluegrass and Americana experience, Theo Barnard (Wire & Wool), Pepita Emmerichs (Oh Pep!), Jeri Foreman (Astro Cobalt) and Michael Starkey (Wayward Jane) combine guitar, fiddles, clawhammer banjo and mandolin to bring the sounds of the Appalachian mountains to Scotland.