I had a lovely time performing two acoustic sets at Reepham Festival this month. It was my first time playing the festival and there was such a warm, friendly, laid back atmosphere.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, and expanding to two days, the line up this year had its usual eclectic mix of established names and independent artists. There were great energetic sets by headliners, legendary 2-Toners The Beat, who I have seen before at Reload festival, and powerful rock band Walkway, who have supported The Darkness and Status Quo, and the excellent Jeramiah Ferrair from Leigh near Manchester, who blend rock, ska, funk, reggae and calypso in a refreshingly original way.
On Saturday I performed in St Mary’s Church which showcased various acoustic performers including the Georgia Shackleton Trio who combine vocals, fiddle, guitar, mandolin and banjo to create a blend of old time bluegrass, and Arcelia, an acoustic soulful folk trio who possess stunning rich harmonies.
Since it began, the non-profit event has given the town a wonderful weekend of varied live music as well as raised thousands for local charities.
Photo courtesy of Tim Moll
Here are a couple of live videos from my performance in the church:
‘Never Was a Yesterday’ live https://youtu.be/wsKWUgPlnQM
‘Dragonfly’ live. Jonathan Threadwell on electric guitar: https://youtu.be/Uo-yp3Ql1AE
Photo courtesy of Tim Moll
On Sunday I performed at the historic Whitwell and Reepham Station. There were great sets in the Sidings by local songwriter Kolin Durier who displayed his amazing guitar skills, and Rews, a London/Belfast based alt-rock duo who hugely impressed with their energy and passion.
Thanks to Tim Moll for some great live photos and for filming:
‘I Won’t Back Down’ Tom Petty cover: https://youtu.be/NwUUstFdXeo
‘Wildfire’ https://youtu.be/nbgmivjTfaM
From an established local festival to one in its first year, I’m delighted to be added to the line up of the inaugural Deepdale Festival which takes place on Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th September at Deepdale Backpackers & Camping. Chris Haycock and Jason Borthwick, who now run the tourism accommodation, are welcoming bands from Norfolk and the East of England for a weekend of live music.
There will be live music on Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday lunchtime across various stages - the main Brick Barn Stage, the Orchard Acoustic Stage, a Buskers Stage in the backpackers courtyard, and a secret venue which will be announced on Sundaymorning. There will also be great street food, street entertainment, festival stalls, spoken word and dance.
Other bands and solo artists confirmed so far include: Jess Morgan, Little Red Kings, Marina Florance, Georgia Shackleton Trio, Falling From Trees, Kolin Durier, The Tin Heart Troubadours, Matt Watson, Homefires and Ardeth Bey.
My incredibly talented student Breeze Redwine continues to write and record memorable original songs and has recently released her debut EP ‘Trust’. I’m proud to have written the title track with her and it recently received its first airplay on BBC Introducing. DJ Jay Lawrence said what a song it is and described Breeze as ‘absolutely talented beyond her years’.
Next week I’m excited to be joining her at a very special gig to celebrate the release at The Garage, Norwich on Thursday, 31st August. Breeze will be interviewed on BBC Introducing this Saturday to chat about the EP and all her recent festivals and gigs.
‘Trust’ on BBC Introducing: https://youtu.be/OtdcYQN7U8s
Also performing sets will be popular local songwriters Kolin Durier and Grant Ley who like myself have been involved in Breeze's already burgeoning music career. Tickets are £8 and you can get them by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 07920021720.
As a musician and songwriter I always find it essential to continue to learn about latest developments within the music industry and current funding opportunities. On Saturday September 2nd PRS Foundation’s Momentum Music Fund presents a day of panel discussions and advice on how to have a long lasting career at Norwich Arts Centre. The event will be followed by a celebration of Momentum’s successes with live performances from three grantees Mary Epworth, Hannah Peel and Love Ssega.
Starting at 1pm, industry experts including BBC DJ Sophie Little and Sarah Jamieson, Managing Editor of DIY Magazine, will be providing insights on how to get to a sustainable level in your music career, as well as offering advice to songwriters and composers on understanding and protecting your rights.
For more information on the event and how to book, here is the link:
https://norwichartscentre.co.
Photo courtesy of Tim Moll
Talented Norfolk Singer and Songwriter Lisa Redford will be teaching Guitar and Ukulele at Wensum Lodge, King Street in Norwich this Spring. These are exciting new music courses being launched in association with Norfolk County Council Adult Learning with taster sessions and 10 week beginners courses.
Passionate about teaching music, Lisa Redford is a local musician and professional music tutor who has been described by legendary BBC broadcaster Bob Harris as "one of our finest singer songwriters". Lisa has earned worldwide acclaim for her heartfelt acoustic music and her original songs have featured on BBC Radio 2 and other radio stations worldwide. Having taught locally for over 10 years as well as in Manchester and New York City, Lisa loves sharing her skills and experience as a touring musician and has performed, written and recorded many songs.
In her latest feature for All Things Norfolk, Lisa focuses on the exciting launch of her fundraising single in aid of Future Radio "This Fine City" about Norwich and how we're all coming together znd overcoming this tough time.
"I began volunteering at Future Radio in 2018, regularly hosting the Afternoon Session and also briefly covering NR Sounds which showcases bands and artists from Norwich and the surrounding areas of Norfolk and North Suffolk. It has been so rewarding and enjoyable to be part of the station - certainly been a real buzz broadcasting live to listeners and sharing my passion for music"
All Things Norfolk business member, singer-songwriter and music tutor Lisa Redford has written and recorded a brand new song at home during the lockdown "From Afar"
Lisa got her inspiration for writing this song when walking in her local area in Norwich and seeing a poster in a window which said "know you are loved from afar" . The song is all about missing loved ones but knowing that we can still love and care from them "From Afar" until we meet again. Once the song was written Lisa then recorded an acoustic version of it from her home studio.
We highly recommend that you take a listen to "From Afar" by visiting https://lisaredford.bandcamp.com/track/from-afar and support this talented local artist by purchasing the song digitally for £1 . You can also view the video by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfnukKmLcqc
It has been a little while since my last All Things Norfolk column. I had a really busy summer playing lots of festivals in the area and further afield. Here in Norfolk I really enjoyed performing at the first F-19 festival, a major new music festival in Feltwell at the stunning St Mary’s Church; all profits from the festival went towards the upkeep of this stunning medieval building.
I was also part of a brilliant line-up for The Waterfront Sessions. It was an all day promoted by The Tilting Sky celebrating some of the regions finest country and Americana artists by the riverside at Norwich Waterfront and it really showcased the wealth of talent here.
In July I also released a single Let Go - the second from my latest EP Edge of Love. It has been receiving some lovely airplay on many stations and shows including BBC Introducing Norfolk. Edge of Love has continued to get great reviews, so much so that I’m excited to be releasing a new single I Just Can’t Forget next month. The ballad, like all of my songs, comes from the heart and has a more soulful country sound with harmonies, piano, pedal steel acoustic and electric guitar
It features terrific local musicians: The Vagaband’s Jose McGill - who also produced the EP - plus Mark Howes from local blues duo Dove and Boweevil and Mikey Shaw on drums. The single has already been performed live in session for Whispering Bob TV’s Under the Apple Tree - intimate live acoustic sessions recorded in the home studio of legendary BBC broadcaster Bob Harris - certainly one of the highlights of my career so far!
I am really excited that the PledgeMusic crowdfunding campaign for my next release is already at 86%! A huge thank you to all those of you who have pledged or shared the project. As an independent artist it really means a lot.
Recording for the new EP has just finished here in Norwich and it has been a really productive and exciting process. As mentioned, I am working with the super talented musician and producer José McGill – band-leader of the award-winning local band Vagaband – who has created some beautiful arrangements and played an array of instruments.
There is also a host of other local musicians who have been involved. Noel Dashwood – from Norwich based folk trio Alden Patterson and Dashwood - has contributed his wonderful dobro and harmonies. We have performed live together in the area playing festivals such as Folk East in Suffolk and supporting Sarah Darling and Eliza Carthy at Norwich Waterfront and OPEN. He will be performing with his trio at Epic Studios on 22nd November opening for renowned folk artists Show of Hands.