This is not a complete list by any means – it’s a selection of the artists we have confirmed so far. So scroll down for some surprises and check back regularly, and for updates as new bookings are made, sign up to our mailing list
 

Ceilidhs

Bedlam

Vibrant, pulsating and with a huge following, Bedlam are one of the most acclaimed ceilidh bands around. Comprising Will Hampson (melodeon) Bryony Griffith (fiddle), Drew McKinlay (guitars, didgeridoo) and Ross McKinlay (percussion), their style is bothe fiery and traditional.

The Committee Band – farewell tour
One of the most popular and enduring bands on the Ceilidh scene is retiring after 2010, so we couldn’t let them go without one final knees-up!

Toothless Mary
Dirty 70s funk ceilidh? It must be Toothless Mary! One of the youngest and freshest bands on the ceilidh scene, we love their mix of funked-up bass, sax, melodeon, guitar and driving drums. So will you!

Tickled Pink
Would you believe it? Tickled Pink are 21 in 2010, and they’re having their coming-of-age bash at Sidmouth! So put on your sparkliest, pinkest frock (regardless of your gender) and join them for an end-of-festival party to remember.

Blowzabella
Blowzabella are one of the most sought-after bands on the traditional dance scene. Combining hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, violin, diatonic accordion, saxophones, clarinets and bass, they produce an inimitable, driving, drone-based sound played with a fabulous sense of melody, rhythmic expertise and sheer feeling. Many European bands who experiment beyond the boundaries of "folk" music cite Blowzabella as a major influence. Their music has developed over time but their mission has remained the same: go to interesting places, meet interesting people and get them to dance.

The Spiers and Boden Ceilidh
We would like to tell you all about this band, but as it’s never happened before, you’ll just have to come along and experience it for yourself! Jon Boden’s driving fiddle and Squeezy’s thumping melodeon are sure to lift you out of your seats and onto the dance floor – but expect the odd guest and a surprise or two along the way!

Mr Gubbins' Bicycle
Mr Gubbins' Bicycle is John Kirkpatrick's five-piece English Ceilidh Band, using the name of a tune he wrote many years ago after buying a bike from a certain Mr Gubbins! They play English tunes for English dances in an English style. The line-up is John on button accordion and also calling the dances, Sally Kirkpatrick on percussion, Benji Kirkpatrick on bouzouki and acoustic guitar, Jobie Kirkpatrick on bass guitar and Martin Britnell on trombone and low whistle.

Chalktown
Chalktown are an innovative dance band, with English folk meeting indie rock with a twist of modern jazz, producing music that is great for listening and irresistible for dancing. The band has a wealth of dance music experience with three ex-members of the legendary Gas Mark 5. Paul Scourfield provides melodeon lead whilst Dave Blackmore is on clarinet and bass clarinet. In the rhythm section Michael Davidson lays down bass lines and guitar and Rob Gifford is on drums.

Tiggerz

A brand new ceilidh band featuring Simon Care and the very bouncy Laurel Swift!

Cupola Dance Band
A groovy new ensemble, Cupola Dance Band has the Cupola Trio (Sarah Matthews, Doug Eunson and Oli Matthews) at its core, plus the lovely Ian Wilson (of Peeping Tom – mandola player and caller) and the percussionist from Mas y Mas, Rich Kensington. Tune sets from the sexiest of traditional material and lots of new composition.

English Compass
An all-star line up who have appeared at festivals throughout Europe and North America. Musicians Liam Robinson and Tim Walker are joined by Roger Watson (New Victory Band, Chequered Roots, Boka Halat) and Gareth Kiddier (The Bismarks, English Contra Band).

D'Accord
French and Breton music and dance, led by Martin Henning.

All Blacked Up
ABU originated in Broseley, near Ironbridge, Shropshire, evolving from musicians for the Iron Men & Severn Gilders morris sides. House moves and personnel changes now see three of the band in Shropshire, two in Cheshire, and one sandwiched between in Staffordshire. All Blacked Up bring jazz and R&B to an infectious traditional English groove. "Driving, full-bodied yet eminently danceable music. 

3Sticks
Selected traditional fiddle tunes blended with samba, jazz, blues and contemporary grooves, plus excellent original material. Performed with passion and flair by Jenny Newman (fiddle, viola), Andy Glass (Guitar, Bouzouki, Bass Pedals) and Pete Hemsley (Drums, Percussion).

The Gloworms
The Gloworms are a London-based trio playing exciting reinterpretations of traditional English dance rhythms. They formed in 2001 with the aim of playing bold music that makes a connection with 21st century people. The result is cool, subtle music with irresistable dance groove. They are Jon Brenner on piano accordion, Colin Cotter on banjo, stompbox and Laurel Swift on fiddle, voice and clogs.

Pete Rees
From being an unknown name a few years ago, Pete is now one of the best known and popular callers on the circuit performing at ceilidhs and festivals all over the country. Still only in his early twenties his energy and love of many other types of dance music are heavily reflected in his calling style. Pete's also been writing a lot of new dances over the last year so he'll be keeping the regulars challenged whilst also gently easing in the newcomers.

Gordon Potts
Gordon never really set out to be a caller, but he likes to be useful, and it mostly keeps him out of trouble. He is really very interested in loads of stuff to do with music, dance, song and folklore. Apart from the calling, he also plays in the Committee Band, aand would go back to dancing with Hammersmith morris if his knees would let him.

Phil Bassindale
Fresh faced, with plenty of enthusiasm - Philip promises to deliver a lively and energetic ceilidh whatever the weather. He can be found regularly calling on the folk circuit, dancing or in the pub; essentially avoiding working for degree.

Nick Walden
One of the country’s most popular ceilidh callers, famed for his colourful shirts, Nick will guide you through the dances with his own inimitable flair.

Cat Kelly
Cat's bubbly personality comes with over a decade of calling experience and a lifetime in folk dance. Cat is having a busy week at Sidmouth this year; as well as calling for ceilidh and nu-ceilidh, she'll be hosting a new kind of ceilidh band workshop and introducing her innovative Calling Academy.

Silent Disco + Silent Ceilidh: Christmas in August!
Put on your mittens, brush up your carols and grab a glass of cheer – it’s Christmas in August! Why? Well – why not? Dance the night away to silent ceilidh, followed by silent disco (the hit of the Bulverton last year), all with a Yuletide theme. And if you’ve been VERY good, Father Christmas might even have a pressie for you…

Social Dance

Stick Shift
Stick Shift combine pyrotechnical fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, keyboard and bass-playing of Scottish, Irish and American tunes to produce a driving, melodic sound.

The Old Friends Band
The Old Friends Band plays lively traditional dance music such as jigs, reels, hornpipes, polkas and waltzes from the English Lake District, researched, collected or written by band members.

The Watch
They play the tunes, play around with the tunes, and get you dancing. All three have played on the English music scene for many years and are keen advocates of the importance of re-engaging with our own musical tradition. Most of the tunes are English, although there are imports from Quebec and Cajun styles. They have also taken tunes from the 'end-of-the-pier' tradition where the banjo was so important. Rob has re-invented many of these tunes to make them work for dancing.

The Bristol Players
The Bristol Players, featuring Edward Jay on accordion and Fiona Barrow on fiddle, are well known for playing contra dances in England and the United States.

Mike Courthold
A caller who is equally at home in a ceilidh or a specialist folk dance club evening. Mike co-ordinates the dance programme at Chippenham Folk Festival and is calling for social dances this week.

Adam Hughes
Adam Hughes has been calling for English, Scottish and American dances for more years than he is likely to admit, with clarity, variety, enthusiasm and a hint of mischief. A favourite at local ceilidhs and a well-known face at events across the country, he promises a high-adrenaline evening all the way.

Mike Barraclough 
Michael has been dancing and calling for over 30 years.  He has called at many UK folk festivals and was Pyewackett’s caller.  He is one of the UK’s leading contra dance callers, having married his high energy ceilidh calling style with his contra dancing experience in the US. 

Display dance

Valerie Romanin whose barefoot flamenco dancing was such a sensation last year, is back again, and Centre Flamenco present Flamenco con Gusto!

Newcastle Kingsmen
The Newcastle Kingsmen are a multi award winning, rapper sword, North West Clog and Long Sword team from up North. They always prefer to enjoy free ale and fine company wherever possible. The team can be seen sporting short blue hoggers, faded white shirts, socks and jaded red faces. Be prepared for impromtu pub dancing and raucus street entertainment!

Hammersmith Morris Men
Founded in 1959 by folk-dance legend Hugh Rippon, the Hammersmith Morris Men are famed for their distinctive, energetic style, dancing in the Cotswold traditions of Longborough, Adderbury, Fieldtown and Bampton. Fifty-one years on, and still in Hammersmith, this Morris-dance powerhouse remains a thriving hub of talent, attracting high praise and applause through the team’s ability to rouse crowds with energy, charisma and zest.

Boggarts Breakfast
From the misty heights of the Peak District, the Boggarts gather in the grey light of dawn. One by one they rise from the heathery moors and the soft bogs; here a top hat swagged with fairy lights, there a black rag jacket decked with spangles. And they pace silently across England, and come together in twos and fours, until, appearing like thunder from the heights, they hit Sidmouth in an explosion of drums, dance and music.

Sheffield City Morris
Sheffield City Morris was formed in 1975 with the aim of making Morris dancing an entertaining spectacle in an urban environment. We have strong vocal and instrumental expertise to provide full and varied displays. The dances are mainly from the “Medup” tradition, shorthand for “made up by ourselves”. We have danced extensively throughout the British Isles, Europe and Ecuador. Sidmouth is an excellent venue to celebrate our 35th anniversary!

Sciorr
Sciorr are a six piece Irish dancing group from Sheffield.. Separately they have been performing since they were five or six, but they have been dancing together as a group since 2003. They have appeared at many festivals around the UK including Sidmouth, Warwick and Cheltenham, as well as performing at international festivals in Poland and at the World Folkloriada in Hungary. Sciorr choreograph all their own dances and have adopted a more laid-back style than the competition- based Irish dancers.

Pig Dyke Molly
Pig Dyke Molly comes from the Fens, the home of midwinter Molly dancing (they blame global warming for their dancing in summer...)  It is proud to be weird, proud to amuse, proud to confuse, proud to entertain through their whole performance. They believe we are true to Molly's anarchic roots and have created something to perplex and hopefully delight audiences of the twenty-first century.

The Seven Champions Molly Dancers
Where did they come from?  Where did they go?  Who knows? Who cares? They never wrote or called!  Did they go back to their treacle mine?  Have they learned to smile?  Are they back for good? Are they any good? If you have missed them...don't!  "Leg ends in their own hobnails" Bert Ferris. "Seven who?" Sid Copper.

Saduto
The Lithuanian folk song/dance group was founded in March 2005. Its initial goal was to sing, and from that the idea to form a folk group developed. Older Lithuanian emigres were pleasantly surprised to see the members of the group, proudly wearing Lithuanian costumes, whirling around the dance floor, and singing their hearts out with renditions of authentic Lithuanian folk songs. Saduto has enthusiastically participated in a variety of events, festivals and gatherings organised within the Lithuanian community, and by various British organisations.

Concerts • Sidmouth Traditions