We had a wealth of musical talent performing at the Castle Bytham Festival on the closest weekend to Midsummer’s Day
SATURDAY PERFORMERS
Box of Frogs – based in Yaxley, near Peterborough, Box of Frogs Djembe Band is an inclusive, creative community band with a passion for percussion.
Mark Stevens – bearded singer/songwriter Mark Stevens, from northwest Cambridgeshire, evokes the sunny climes of California, backed by country riffs straight out of Nashville on his acoustic guitar. @Markstevensmusician
The Loungers – based in Stamford and Grantham, The Loungers play an amplified acoustic blend of soul, jazz, house and dance. Band members Bob Wells and Bianca Rodrigues originally performed with the band Bianca & the TopCats.
Richard Durrant – critically acclaimed guitarist and composer Richard Durrant will play his own composition inspired by the Sussex downland as well as Bach on the ukulele and a collection of guitar solos from his latest album that was influenced by the landscapes of the British Isles. www.richarddurrant.com
Dancing Wu-Li Masters – the Wu Li Masters are an all-original alkaline bungalow funk band, originally formed in the late 1980s and influenced by the likes of Talk Talk, Talking Heads, Stone Roses, Ozric Tentacles and original funk, such as Curtis Mayfield. They perform music from that period as well as new songs. soundcloud.com/dancingwulimasters
Smokestack Blues Band – this 5-piece blues rock band is from Oakham, Rutland and they will have you tapping your feet to some classic Howlin’ Wolf or Jimmy Reed and then bopping to some Chuck Berry or Rolling Stones. @smokestackbluesband
Idle Hands – a five-piece covers band (formerly known as Daytona) from the East Midlands blending the best of indie, pop & rock tunes and covering artists such as Adele, Amy Winehouse, Bryan Adams, Kings of Leon, Oasis, Stereophonics, The Killers, and many more. @Idlehandsbanduk
Uninvited Guests – a great party band from the Castle Bytham area who love to take a popular song and add their own twist to get the crowd rocking, singing and dancing. Despite the name, people seem to like what this group do and keep inviting them back! www.facebook.com/UninvitedGuests
Groove Cartell – an 8-piece funk and soul act from Cambridgeshire with music to get you moving, from the likes of Bruno Mars, Prince, Stevie Wonder, James brown, Jamiroquai, Justin Timberlake, The Jacksons, Earth, Wind & Fire and Chic. www.facebook.com/GrooveCartell
SUNDAY PERFORMERS
Talitha & Lydia Rees – these accomplished young trumpet and trombone players will open Sunday’s Festival with a rendition of God Save the Queen.
Corby Glen Dance Academy – a dance school based in Corby Glen for all children from the ages of two upwards performing a selection of ballet, tap and modern dances. www.thedance-academy.co.uk
Ruth Dutton Singers – Ruth is a professional singing teacher, based in Castle Bytham and she will be showcasing some of her talented pupils. www.facebook.com/Ruth-Dutton-Singing-Teacher
Kaci Jai – a solo performer singing a wide range of numbers, from rock to musical theatre. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNDxE2ZacYVWsPVmNz_dShg
Stringlers – an electric string quartet from Peterborough who give a classical makeover to an eclectic mix of rock and pop classics from Stranglers, Queen, ELO and many more. Facebook.com/thestringlers
Chloe Lorentzen – 17 year-old Stamford singer-songwriter Chloe Lorentzen returns this year performing a set of her original songs on guitar and piano from her acclaimed album, My Time, and new album Love Life & Lies. chloelorentzen.com
Figure of Eight – a rock and funk party band from the Bythams and Oundle, fronted by Little Bytham’s Sharron Marriott, who are guaranteed to get you on your feet and dancing! @figureofeight19
The Undefined – a guerrilla act who pop up, get people on their feet and singing; then vanish into the twin metropolises of Peterborough and Stamford. Rock, pop, indie, punk, funk, 80s and 90s classics. @TheUndefinedRockBand
Performers at the Castle Bytham Midsummer Festival arranged by Bythams Music
