Entertainment

The BVF is renowned for its top notch entertainment ever since the organiser donned a Pink Panther costume at the first show and served all the stallholders champagne, before hosting the world’s first vegan custard pie fight a year later. As the show has grown, so has the level of entertainment, and for 2008 we have an even more staggering line up of bands, musicians, artists and completely mind blowing acts that are guaranteed to thrill. The name of the headline band is currently under wraps at the time of writing and will be announced shortly but it’s safe to say in order to accommodate them the PA will have to be bigger than in 2007, when headliners The Beat rammed the place and took the lid right off!

But its not just about the headliners – there’s some excellent up and coming and well established Bristol bands too, and they will be well represented as they were in 2007 when First Degree Burns, Chemical Dub Theory and Se Fire all tore it up. Expect to see some top notch local; talent in the late afternoons and early evening both days.

Whilst most of us love a good dance and a boogie, not all of us do, and the Acoustic Stage caters for more laid back and less noisy tastes, with an eclectic blend of Blues, Jazz, Country, Classical and Opera fused gently into a whole weekend of delightful music designed to suit all tastes.

Meanwhile, for those who are still a bit young to appreciate the bands and musicians, we have a full on Kids Area and Victorian Circus to thrill and inspire kids of all ages, and adults too, combining to make the perfect day out for all the family.

The 3 main areas to watch out for are the Main Stage, the Acoustic Stage and the Kids Area, which for 2008 is incorporating a Victorian Circus!

Main Stage

We are truly blessed this year by our line up and it is the most thrilling one you’ll find in Bristol this year in my humble opinion. We just love it don’t we, festivals. Big stage, top bands, safe security, loads of food and beer, have a bubble and then pile on home full of good memories and top vibes. Some of us have been doing this a long long time and we still get an awesome buzz out of putting on a line up like this! So big thanks to all our bands for coming to our show to thrill us to the core, big up too for Gareth & the Centre Stage team and all our stage crew, and an exceptional large shout out to my main man – the man they call the Duke, or Longun’ – you know the coup – he’s the man to thank for getting this lot together! Top Dad too – ooh Betty!! Big Love – Let’s shine like a star, Bristol!

Saturday

• 2.30pm Misty in Roots
• 5.00pm Dreadzone
• 7.30pm Aswad

Sunday

• 2.30pm Smith & Willox
• 5.00pm Babyhead
• 7.30pm Bad Manners

Aswad

Still packing them in all over the world wherever they play, Aswad are true International superstars and we extend the most warmest of welcomes from Bristol to these absolute legends, who really don’t need any introduction at all. Along with Misty in Roots, Black Uhuru, Steel Pulse and Talisman these guys took the world by storm in the late seventies when they transformed the reggae rhythms popularised by the Jamaicans for years to create the original roots reggae UK sound that still survives and indeed shines alive and kickin to this day all over the globe. Prepare to be proper rinsed by the first appearance from Aswad in this fair city for many a year.

Misty In Roots

Misty In Roots are, along with Aswad, one of the big five original UK reggae bands from the late seventies and early eighties, and have retained their underground tag ever since appearing at the Deeply Vale Free Festival in 1979 and also the Stonehenge Free festivals of the early 80’s. Absolute and complete legends praised and worshipped by many, and firm festival favourites now spanning 4 decades. Their awesome sublime live sound will have the Amphitheatre packed to the rafters by the time they grace the Main Stage at 2.30 pm to thrill us with their laidback riffs and rhythms that will surely see the whole of Bristol swaying in unison with their top vibes. Can’t wait for this one, could be the highlight of the whole summer!

Dreadzone

Dreadzone are familiar to many thousands in Bristol, with their regular sessions over the years in the Trinity, as well as numerous festival appearances in the South West. Absolutely spot on for an outdoor event such as this, their 21st century technology combined with ol skool roots and sublime melodies interspaced with trance like effects gives this band the most brilliant sound live, and will be a massive highlight for the BVF. On at 5pm on the Main Stage, absolutely not to be missed and the perfect combination for Misty and Aswad who play before and after. Big shout out to Burt for all your help, mate, much appreciated, also to Chris, Simon and Biff for all your assistance.

Bad Manners

Bad Manners are our party piece to close the BVF 08 and are the perfect guests to round off what promises to be one of Bristol’s best ever festival’s. Rising to fame in the late seventies and early eighties as the Ska/Two Tone/Dance thing took off in the UK. Rubbing shoulders with such legends as Madness, the Specials and The Beat, Bad Manners have carved out a special place in many a heart for the wondrous live shows and string of top ten hits to match. Still massively popular wherever they play, and always guaranteed not only to pull a fat crowd but to get the place on its feet proper dance hall style. Expect to see the crowd swelled by loads of or stallholders too as they stop work to have boogie. Go on son, ‘ave it!

Babyhead

Babyhead are probably Bristol’s biggest band right now in terms of drawing a crown and rocking the place. The perfect accompaniment to Bad Manners, and much in the same vein, this is gonna thrill ska and dance fans across the South West as their big band style glows gracefully across the harbour on Sunday afternoon at 5. Loads of Bristol will be out for this one and you can bet your bottom dollar they’ll be having the time of their lives. Babyhead are playing a few festivals this year and are much in demand so we are well chuffed to have such local luminaries grace our humble stage. With a brilliant family atmosphere generated from their party style line up they will be going down a treat with everyone that’s for sure.

Smith & Willox

It’s a given that jazz combos feature technical excellence but it’s a real bonus when that excellence comes together in a fresh and coherent identity that all the band members create in their joint and several ways. Neil Smith and Mike Willox are both eclectic and individual performers but clearly enjoy the creative anarchy that results in the mighty powerhouse of deconstructed jazz-rock that is Smith and Willox. Taking over familiar tunes like ‘One Note Samba’ or ‘Norwegian Wood’ the band re-imagine them in hitherto impossible ways, while their own compositions fizz with originality. With Craig Crofton on saxophones, Dave Johnston on bass and Matt Jones on drums the band develop their own compositions and derangements into loud, surprising and coherently wayward doses of pure musical pleasure.

DJ Chris Cross

ChrisCross is once more taking the one’s and two’s for both days on the Main Stage as well as compering and introducing the bands. ChrisCross and BVF organiser Timbo started one of Bristol’s most successful club nites ever when they got together to create the infamous ClubYeyo back in the day, and their monthly sessions on the Thekla redefined the words ‘pleasure’ and ‘hedonism’. Still busy DJ’ing some 20 years later, Chris will be playing some varied and inspirational sets, with the emphasis on Ibiza chill in the morning and lunchtime, building through the weekend to his full on half hour ol skool classics set at 7pm Sunday before Bad Manners close the party.

Acoustic Stage

Sponsored by Shakeaway

Saturday

• 11am DJ Mavin – Ibiza Chill
• 12pm Yvonne Waigo
• 1pm Victorian Circus with David Straitjacket, Rubber Ritchie & Felicity Fyr Le Fay
• 2pm Jazica
• 3pm The Medlars
• 4pm Caroline Martin
• 5pm DJ Mavin – Afternoon Chill
  

Sunday

• 11am DJ Mavin – Ibiza Chill
• 12am Unearthed
• 1pm Victorian Circus with David Straitjacket & Felicity Fyr Le Fay
• 2pm SuperHighway Blues
• 3pm Vegan Environmental Awards – Presented by Wonderpig
  (Followed by the VeganSuperHero Contest)
• 4pm Master of None
• 5pm DJ Mavin – Afternoon Chill
  

The Medlars

Tony and Sally have been singing together in various projects for the last three years. With The Medlars they bring you new eclectic sounds accompanied by double bass and percussion. An intoxicating blend of quirky covers and enticing originals, with soothing melodies and sweet harmonies.

DJ Mavi

Mavin is a serious legend amongst those that know him for his impeccable and outstanding collection of rare groove and original house. His specialities include reggae, Chill and all spectrums of the dance arena. A local lad, his awesome knowledge both musically and technically is an unseen but massive input on the whole BVF since time. Cheers Drive.

Vegan Environmental Awards – presented by Wonderpig

3pm Sunday sees the climax to nearly 5 months of voting for the best vegan people, projects, publications, products and organisations in the Yaoh Vegan Environmental Awards 008. Truly the people’s vote as anyone can vote once a month every month from Jan through till May to decide the winners. You can view the awards and nominees on the BVF website and if you are reading this before midnite May 31st you can vote too! Thanks to Wonderpig for presenting the awards once again, also to VeggieVision (sponsors) and Long John Tofu ( Co – host).

Superhighway Blues

Tim Wellard and John Bickersteth

Tim Wellard is a folk blues guitarist and singer songwriter who has been performing in clubs and at festivals both in this country and around Europe since the 1960's. John Bickersteth is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who has worked with Tim on and off for over twenty years. During this time they have turned their hands to a wide variety of styles ranging from folk and country blues to kletzma, jazz, circus music and cabaret. Tim and John will be performing songs from Tim's new album "Superhighway Blues" plus some other stuff.

Master of None

Master of None are Stroud-based husband and wife Howard Sinclair and Alex West.   They play an uplifting blend of original and traditional folk using strong vocal harmonies and a variety of instruments including flute, guitars, piano, saxophone and bass. Master of None released their second album, Four Legs and a Tale (named in honour of their dog!) in 2007, and were runners up in Folk Quest the same year.   They regularly entertain audiences at venues and festivals throughout the West Country with a mixture of humorous observational songs, wistful ballads and lively instrumentals.     

For more information, see www.myspace.com/masterofnoneorguk or call 07810 476359

Unearthed

Unearthed is a folk duo featuring Nathan King on guitar and vocals, and John Davis on harmonica and bodhran. Brought together by a love of artists such as Cave, Cohen and late Cash (though sadly unable to think of a clever name for ourselves beginning with a C), they draw heavily on the darker side of the folksong tradition that exists not only in the UK but also in the US and Australia. They play a mix of original and traditional songs, together with unusual versions of material by other artists.

Jazica

An organic mix of bright melodies and original riffs; pop music perfect for sitting about in the sun. Described as the ideal soundtrack for any traveller, their set will take you through the unheard-of and leave you singing along to their catchy lyrics. With considerate use of synths and drum machines, Jazica manages to combine electro with acoustic ambience to create an irresistible sound. The foursome from Southampton, led by 21 year old, Frankie, whose vocals compare to the likes of Sia (Zero 7), will have you tapping your feet before you know it. The band draw their influences from the reggae tones of Jack Johnson, subtleties of Massive attack, to the eccentricity of Muse. After building a strong fan base in the South in just over a year, the band are set to go far. Jazica are playing today in Bristol as the start of their South-West tour and aim to cover the nation by the end of the year. This is not just acoustic music...This is Jazica!

Caroline Martin

Caroline was born in Bristol 1972 and starting writing in 1995. She began performing live in 2002 (after recording her first session for Peel in 1999) and her second live appearance was at the Glastonbury Festival. She recently completed a twelve date solo tour, 2 dates in New York and has supported international artists such as Seth Lakeman, Nina Nastasia, Devon Sproule, Gravenhurst, Teddy Thomson, Regina Spektor, Holly Golightly, Jill Sobule, Lisa Germano and Kimya Dawson. Caroline's first EP Young Tender Rabbit was released on her own label (Small Dog) in 1998 and was immediately included on John Peels favourite releases of the month list. This was followed by the first of four sessions recorded for the Peel show. Caroline's track The Singer reached number 3 in the legendary John Peel Festive Fifty of 2004. The debut album I Had A Hundred More Reasons To Stay By The Fire (Small Dog, distributed worldwide by Cargo) released in 2005 has garnered rave reviews and her third release -. a limited release 8 track EP entitled Broken EP has been praised for its brave, stark, intimacy.

Yvonne Waigo

Yvonne has been singing from the age of six, having first discovered music because her mother played a lot of African Music and Boney M. She then started listening and developing a passion for writing songs. By the age of nine she was writing songs, and over the years she has developed her voice and persona as a performer.

Her pursuit for music (seriously) did not begin until she was 18 years old. During this gap of pursuit Yvonne began writing poetry and went on to win the Young Poet of the Year award at the International Poetry Society. Writing poetry (as well as being a therapeutic outlet) has also helped her develop her song-writing skills.

She built my confidence and began to develop herself to a professional level by taking singing lessons and entering talent competitions. Over the years she has discovered musicians of different genres and past and present and has also re-discovered some great legends.

Kids Area

Saturday

• 12pm Sikh Swordfighters Display
• 1pm Bristol Circus
• 2pm Sikh Swordfighters Display
• 4pm Victorian Circus with David Straitjacket, Rubber Ritchie & Felicity Fyr Le Fay
  

Sunday

• 12pm Bristol Circus
• 1pm Worlds largest vegan BBQ
• 4pm Victorian Circus with David Straitjacket & Felicity Fyr Le Fay
  Saturday

Sikh Swordfighters

Harjinder and his band of Sikh warriors first came to the BF back in 2006, when a marvellous hot day saw this awesome display of swordfighting and martial arts skills for the first time. Back in 2007, and now back again for the third year, it is unlikely you will witness such a stunning execution of swords skills anywhere in the world on display in public. Prepare to be terrified!

David Straitjacket

David Straitjacket is an internationally famous 21st century escapologist who last year thrilled and amazed the BVF audience with his ground breaking Bed of Glass act which completely silences a dumbfounded crowd, and may well be repeated again this year due to popular demand. For 2008 he will be performing no less than 4 shows across the weekend. Top Man! Thanks to his wonderful assistant Nikki too for all her help.

Rubber Ritchie

Rubber Ritchie has been at every single BVF since we started way back in 2003, and is a firm fave with our crowd and especially the youngsters for his quite incredible displays of contortionism. For this is a man who can quite literally tie himself up in knots and his shows never fail to amuse and inspire the rest of us with the most bizarre displays imaginable.

Felicity Fyr Le Fay

An exquisite dancer, aerial acrobat and fire artist, Felicity specialises in creating the unique, the dramatic and the magical. Having toured with two international circuses, she is also well known on the London burlesque, cabaret and visual arts scene. Her partner for the show, Oliver Halpern, known as Muddlehead the Pixie, will join Felicity for several shows across the weekend.

Creative Kids   (Saturday)

Creative kids run workshops to encourage children and families to use their imaginations and engage with the environment that surrounds them. Activities are for 5-12yrs with an Ultra Violet Underwater den.

The dens offer children a unique experience inside a magical underwater world with fish, shipwrecks and sharks. There are pads, to jump on, which trigger sounds and different textured objects to be explored.

All Activities use UV reactive materials, which glow up inside the den. Including; puppets, mask making, face painting, hats, costumes and painting.

Robbie and Sally McMagic (Both days)

A very warm welcome back to our fave kids entertainers Robbie and Sally, who have come to several Bristol Vegan Fayres in the past, and are here for both days with magic shows, face painting and a variety of other kids entertainment over the weekend!

Wonderpig

The awesome irrepressibly cuddly vegan pink fluffy cartoon superhero that is Wonderpig is once again blessing us with his almighty presence at our humble event. Wonderpig will be around the Kids area for the whole weekend in between important duties like presenting the Vegan Environmental Awards and signing copies of his book.