Click on band names to see YouTube footage.
*Afrik Bawantu
Founded by Ghanaian percussionist Alfa Sackey the band blends vibrant African percussion to a funky and talented horn section. This colourful and ground breaking high energy group will be a real 'getup up and dance' addition to the Rhythmtree.
*AIRTist
This didgeridoo, jaw harp and beatbox trio have been booked at some of Europe's largest festivals in the past few years. They have agreed to return to the Rhythmtree for 2012 with a whole new set.
*Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra
This high energy Afrobeat band acknowledges the influence of Fela Kuti's Africa 70 band amongst many others. Although their music uses Afrobeat rhythm and language they also owe part of their sound to the space Jazz pioneers of the 70’s and the free jazz trailblazers of the 60’s.
*Acadian Driftwood
A vibrant new acoustic band playing and singing cajun and creole dance music from the dawn of the recording era. Expect toe tapping two steps, soulful waltzes, rich harmony vocals.
*Chris Woods
‘Chris Woods has taken ‘string slapping’ into another dimension of percussive effects on acoustic guitar by combining elements of finger tapping, rapid drumming on the belly and lower bout of the guitar with ‘normal’ finger picking resulting in a tour de force of original technique’ :Acoustic Guitar Mag April 09
*Congo Dia Ntotila
The band performs a high energy show that punches out the favourite rhythms of the central African dance floor (sakade, African rhumba, zouk, makossa etc) but with subtle differences in style.Throw in influences from jazz and Latin American music, and a vibrant horn section, Congo Dia Ntotila has been moving crowds to almost excessive dancing all over the county.
*Dakar Audio Club
Dakar Audio Club play the music you would hear across the dial of a radio in any bush taxi trip in West Africa! Taking their influences from Malian blues, Congolese soukous, Ghanaian highlife, Mbalax pop, Reggae and a sprinkling of Afrobeat the song lyrics are sung in Wolof, Bambara and English. With duelling guitars, djembe and occasional horns the band were formed by husband and wife songwriters Nick and Fatou.
*Diabel Cissokho and Ramon Goose
Dakar meets the delta. The beauty of West African music with the soul of the Blues.
Senegalese virtuoso kora player Diabel Cissokho and top blues guitarist Ramon Goose combine to re-create the exotic Mansana Blues sounds from their album of the same name.
*KRAR Collective
It is said that the Ethiopian lyre, the krar, is one of the last active descendants of an instrument exported by Semitic nomads to ancient Egypt and beyond over four thousand years ago. It is certain that it's never before sounded quite like it does when Temesgen Taraken plugs it in, pumps it up and hammers out a hypnotic groove as if it were an ancient rock guitar. Four kebero tom drums kick in with their grooving lilt and Genet Assefa lets loose with powerful, soaring vocals, you may be looking twice to make sure this big sound is really being created by just three people. Playing traditional songs from different regions of Ethiopia, making a direct connection to these roots with a contemporary attitude that gets their audience participating in the party, as fRoots magazine enthused: "Krar Collective rock"
*Elvis Fontenot and the Sugar Bees
Crowned “European Zydeco band of the Year” 2006 and 2009 and featuring the European Rub-board player of the year expect an infectious good time whenever they play to festival audiences.
*Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges Band featuring The Little Big Horns.
With blues guitarist Hideaway Slim for a father and a mother from the same Bullock family that gave us Annie Mae (better known as Tina Turner), there was an inevitability that young Eugene would become a musician and that his heritage would shape his musical path – and so it proved. Eugene has been booked to head-line Friday evening with his full big band featuring The Little Big Horns.
*Grupo Lokito
Grupo Lokito perform an exuberant fusion of Congolese Rumba and Cuban Salsa. The band feature world class musicians from the two traditions. Hot Congolese rhythm and soaring guitars combine with blistering salsa piano and melodious vocals to produce Grupo Lokito's glorious music. Top this off with an exciting stage show featuring wild choreographed dance moves and it is easy to see why Grupo Lokito have won over audiences throughout the UK.
*Harare
Harare is one of the few groups to be playing Zimbabwean dance music in Europe. The band combines different styles from Jit Jive to traditional hypnotic rhythms of the mbira (lamella-phone/thumb piano). Founding member and virtuoso marimbist Kudaushe Matimba was a member of Zimbabwe's legendary Bhundu Boys.
*Kadialy Kouyate
Born into the great line of Kouyate griots in Southern Senegal, Kadialy’s mesmerising kora playing and singing style made him and his band a must for a return booking at the Rhythmtree.
*Kagemusha Taiko
Presenting their full theatre show 'Spirit of the Drum', Kagemusha Taiko provide a spectacular and dynamic performance with stunning choreography, boundless energy and the pounding rhythms of the Japanese Taiko drum.
*Johnny Cope
A multi-instrumentalist who brought the Rhythmtree to a respectful silence in 2011 with his performance of Khoomie or throat singing. A master of this special vocal technique, that originated in Mongolia and Tuva, the whole festival audience was mesmerised by his performance and he returns in 2012 for a keenly anticipated reprise.
*Medina Ukulele Orchestra
After their rockin' appearance in the Didge Cafe a welcome return to the Rhythmtree in 2012!
*Moveable Feast
The band we couldn't stop playing throughout the week-end at the Rhythmtree 2011. Didge Cafe fans book your sofa!
*The Ouse Valley Singles Club
George Formby meets The Clash.. booked for a late slot in the Didge Cafe maybe they'll make to one of the open air stages if the head-line band doesn't turn up!
*The Perch Creek Family Jug Band
Featuring Australia’s top one-legged saw player The Perch Creek Family Jugband sing and dance a unique blend of original and traditional tunes. Roving from bluegrass, old-time jazz, and country blues to whatever else they may just happen to fancy their signature sound consists of tight 5 part vocal harmonies soaring over the down-home sounds of the 5-string banjo, washboard, jug, double-bass, harmonicas, saw, trombone, kazoo, ukulele, guitar, melodica and tap-dancing.
*Pete Lockett
Pete Lockett’s performance is an incredibly dynamic, entertaining and informative showcase of drumming and percussion from every part of the globe. The exploration of world rhythms is complemented by subtle sound design, electronics and captivating visuals. The combination of the sound textures, powerful pulsing grooves and virtuosic solos has captivated & entertained audiences worldwide. The wide range of artists he’s worked with reflects the diversity of his playing, inc: Björk, Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant, Bill Bruford, Jeff Beck, Vikku Vinayakram, Selva Ganesh, Ustad Zakir Hussain, The Verve, Texas, Afro Celt Sound System, and lots more!
*Phil Henry and Hannah Martin
Using slide guitars, fiddle, banjo, vocals, and even beatbox harmonica Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin combine influences as diverse as English folk music, Indian classical and American blues to create a sound that is "textured, hypnotic and utterly captivating" (Steve Knightley, Show Of Hands).
*Whiskey River
Whiskey River is a rocking electric 5/6 piece band who play red hot swamp music, low down dirty blues from the bayous, rocking country and good ol' rock'n'roll. This band really knows how to kick start a party!
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Our main-stage runs from 1200 -2300 Saturday and Sunday with a later start on Friday to allow campers to arrive and settle in.
Our other stages will run from mid-day each day till late and will have their own line-up publicised later this year.
The RhumbaRumBar is where you will find our afternoon dance and instrument workshops with DJ sets in the evenings.
Join our popular newsletter for full band bios and advanced programme information.
NB.. There will be a number of additions to this line-up after final booking arrangements are completed.
