Artists

Singer-songwriters, Cobalt Tales, are a female duo based in Sheffield. Originally from Wigan and Stockport, Pat sings powerful vocals, plays acoustic guitar and harmonica on occasion, whilst Nuala plays bass guitar, sings harmony and adds clarinet, whistles and acoustic guitar. Their combined influences and writing talents cover a wide variety of song styles. They deliver music from the heart that stirs the soul. 

Local singer-songwriter Dave Vermond has built his reputation finely crafting songs that occupy a wide range of styles, subjects and emotions, which he delivers with passion, wit and top-class musicianship. A mainstay of the Otley Folk Festival for over 20 years, Dave is a highly respected presence on the music circuit. 

The Duncan McFarlane Band have gone from strength to strength since forming in 2000, ostensibly for a one-off pub gig as part of Otley Festival. The original ‘scratch band’ blew the place apart, the packed house loved it and further bookings were offered. They felt compelled to continue and have never looked back, with increasing festival appearances each year such as Beverley, Ely, Sidmouth, Shrewsbury (dMb have now played those last two twice!) Centered around Duncan’s acoustic guitar, the powerhouse rhythm section of Nick Pepper on drums and Martin Ward on bass guitar are elevated to yet greater heights by Anne Brivonese’s fiddle, Steve Fairholme’s melodeon and Steve Foster’s electric guitar. Their heady blend of traditional folk, with driving rhythm and vibrant energy, has gone down a storm with festival audiences across the UK – don’t miss ‘em! 

Gaelforce are a superb very accomplished Celtic flavoured folk rock band with a line up of fiddle, guitar, bass, drums , vocals & additional instruments. Playing rocked up folky, Irish, songs + jigs n reels, they have been described as somewhere between Jethro Tull & Fairport Convention. They are : 

Chris Dyson – fiddle/voc – ex Mike Harding Band Geoff Taylor – electric guitars – ex Duncan McFarland Band Eddy Green – bass – ex Dave Burland Band (Shagpile) Matt Kirton – drums/voc/keyboards – ex Shane McGowan Band. 

Gordon is a hugely talented acoustic musician. He has a very long pedigree, having played with various bands and duos over the years, but is a solo performer first and foremost - singer, guitarist and flute player. 

With exceptional musicianship and boundless enthusiasm, Granny’s Attic are Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (melodeon, anglo concertina, vocals), George Sansome (guitar, vocals) and Lewis Wood (violin, vocals). They have honed their skills touring the UK and Europe since 2009. The trio have been heralded for their lively performances and skilled delivery of traditional material, playing with verve, energy and their own inimitable style. Though grounded in tradition, they are keen to push new boundaries by exploring fresh approaches and writing their own compositions. 

Yorkshire-born brothers Nick and Duncan Hall have played music together for as long as they can remember. They first performed as The Hall Brothers in 1991. In 1994 they were joined by long-term fiddle-player, multi-instrumentalist and producer John Carey. Since then they have played concerts and festivals throughout the UK and in Ireland and Holland. They are regulars at Otley festival, and always a joy to see. 

Hazjak are Yorkshire duo Steve Chapman Smith and Lynne O'Malley, both well known and respected musicians on the Northern acoustic scene. Together they play an eclectic style of Roots, Americana and Folk music. Steve – vocals, guitar, banjo, bouzouki, bass and mandolin. Lynne – vocals, piano, tenor guitar, banjo, percussion, whistle and harmonica, and of course Hazjak's trademark harmonies. 

Hailing originally from Ireland and both sides of the Pennines, these experienced performers combine instruments with harmony vocals to play foot-tapping trad. songs and tunes. - Sam Hodgson (aka Samh) - singer-songwriter, guitarist, & bouzouki player - Aidan Kilroy - bodhran player & singer - Helena Drumm - cellist & singer Their repertoire includes trad. Irish, English and Scottish songs and tunes, as well as originals by Samh inspired by local history and landscape. They also like to throw some Appalachian and Americana into the mix from time to time.

Uplifting folk, roots, and rock n' roll, with soaring songs & sing-along choruses, they are at their best live. They are :

Jon Palmer (vocals and guitars)

Wendy Ross (violin and vocals)

Eddy Green (bass and vocals)

Iain Cunningham (keyboard and vocals)

Adam Hopkins (drums and vocals)

Lee Wellbrook (mandolin and vocals)

Chris Locke and Ian Tupling will delight you with close harmony vocals and chorus singing, all delivered with a touch of humour. Their songs are often, but not exclusively, maritime in flavour.

Monkey's Fist is a folk band formed in November 2000, specialising in maritime songs, shanties and ballads. Following several changes it has evolved into a group consisting of Steve Flude, Colin Devey, and John Horsey. They sing with power and enthusiasm, expect choruses.

Phil is a regular at Otley Festival, appearing this time with his trio which features Phil on guitar and lead vocals, Steve Benford playing alternately guitar and banjo, with backing vocals and Alistair Bloomfield on fiddle. Phil's songs are engaging, literate and accessible, and the musicians create a unique sound firmly rooted in folk, interweaving elements of American and Celtic traditions. 

Phil Snell is one of Otley’s local stars. He plays guitar, mandolin, fiddle and other stringed instruments to a high standard. He has been a member of many touring bands over a long career, now turning to solo performance. 

He writes original songs and has a repertoire of old ragtime, old time, novelty and blues pieces to complement his compositions. 

Phil can be seen in various ensembles and also playing fiddle for The Kitchen Taps Appalachian dancers and Guitar for Flash Company Morris

PlumHall are Michelle Plum and Nick B Hall, a feisty Yorkshire-based duo whose award winning self-penned songs win them plaudits from the experts. The pair deliver guitar and harmony driven textures of folk, Americana and pop, wowing audiences on the live acoustic circuit in the UK and locally here in Otley. Each has a star-spangled history of performing, and as a duo they have supported many famous names - Peter Tork even invited them onstage to perform Daydream Believer with him. A very special moment! 

Following a chance meeting at Whitby Folk Festival in 1993, Chris Sherburn (concertina) and Denny Bartley (vocals and guitar) have forged one of folk’s most enduring partnerships. With a unique sound that's earned them plaudits across Europe and America, they're one of the busiest acts on the folk scene. In 2016 Chris and Denny joined forces with Emily Sanders (fiddle/viola and vocals), the founding member of Isambarde, and they’ve since become a celebrated trio. Emily’s blend of vocal harmonies and fiddle playing brings an English folk sensibility to compliment the band’s more Celtic and traditional roots.

Steve Knightley is an English singer, songwriter and acoustic musician. Since 1992 he has been half of possibly one of the UK’s most successful Folk/Roots duos – Show of Hands, but this weekend we get to enjoy him solo. A constant throughout Steve’s work is his ability to root his songs in geographical place, notably the West Country where he lives. His gift for talking to people, listening to them and distilling the encounter into song is evident throughout his work. Informed by a love of folk ballads, Knightley writes historically accurate songs that resonate with contemporary meaning. He has an extraordinary ability to conflate time and space to bring history vividly, smack bang into the present. 

Tony is the singer from cult band Terrorvision. When he is on his own, he performs a range of styles from bluesy to folksy. His self-penned repertoire is insightful and hugely funny, representing his upbringing in Bradford.

Yannick is an experienced dance tutor and singer, who
specialises in dances from France, including Brittany. She has organised the Les Panards Dansants French music and Dance Festival in Todmorden for many years.