[dropcap type =”circle”]P[/dropcap]etula Clark will headline this year’s Fairport’s Cropredy Convention music festival which takes place from August 10-12.
The three-day annual event is staged by folk-rock band Fairport Convention and attracts up to 20,000 music fans making it Oxfordshire’s most popular music festival.
With three Grammy Awards and millions of record sales to her name Petula’s stellar career stretches back to 1949 yet Cropredy will be her first-ever UK music festival appearance.
Petula Clark’s string of Top 40 hits in the UK and around the world includes Downtown, I Know A Place, My Love, and This Is My Song.
Fairport bassist and Cropredy co-organiser Dave Pegg said: “We’re really proud to be the first British festival that Petula has played at. I saw her show in Birmingham recently and it blew me away – she is a wonderful live performer. I was surprised how many of her hits I knew and her contemporary songs are really great too. Our audience will love her, I’m sure.”
The Trevor Horn Band plays on Thursday 10 August. Considered to be one of the most influential record producers in popular music, Trevor Horn started his career as a bass guitarist. A co-founder of The Buggles (Video Killed The Radio Star), he has gone on to work with – among many others – Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Seal, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, and Genesis.
For Cropredy, Trevor will front a 14-piece all-star band featuring fellow producers Steve Lipson and Lol Creme. The setlist will be packed with songs the trio have produced – between them they’ve had over 200 hit singles – and there may be guest appearances from some of the musicians they have worked with.
Quill take the stage on Friday 11 August. A six-piece fronted by the charismatic Joy Strachan-Brain, the Birmingham-based band embraces many influences in its energetic brand of Celtic-hued rock.
Also appearing on Friday, CC Smugglers play good times music inspired by American and world folk. This exciting young six-piece of talented multi-instrumentalists perform with infectious enthusiasm.
In total the festival will see 19 acts will present more than 30 hours of live music over three days. The complete 2017 line-up in performance order is:
Thursday 10 August
Fairport Convention
Cropredy will open with the customary musical welcome from the host band’s semi-acoustic line-up.
Feast of Fiddles
Half-a-dozen of Britain’s finest fiddlers backed by a five-piece band present a musical extravaganza of dazzling instrumental virtuosity.
Show of Hands
Featuring Steve Knightley and Phil Beer, Show of Hands is one the finest acoustic roots duos in England.
Trevor Horn Band
Three of the most influential record producers in popular music – Trevor Horn, Steve Lipson and Lol Creme – lead an all-star band.
The Divine Comedy
Fronted by Neil Hannon, one of the most original songwriters of his generation, The Divine Comedy’s sumptuous orchestral sound is complemented by acerbic and sophisticated lyrics.
Friday 11 August (noon – midnight)
BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Winner
Each year Cropredy proudly presents a set by the winner(s) of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award.
Gerry Colvin
Characterised by energy and enthusiasm on stage, Gerry presents beautifully-crafted imaginative songs.
Quill
Birmingham-based Quill embrace many influences in their energetic brand of Celtic-hued rock.
Gigspanner Big Band
Led by Peter Knight, Gigspanner makes its first appearance at Cropredy.
CC Smugglers
Good time music inspired by world folk from an exciting young six-piece band of multi-instrumentalists.
Pierce Brothers
A very welcome return by sensational multi-instrumentalist twins Jack and Pat Pierce who absolutely stormed their Cropredy debut in 2016.
Richard Thompson
Virtuoso guitarist and renowned songwriter Richard Thompson is a co-founder of Fairport Convention and takes the Cropredy stage as part of the band’s fiftieth anniversary celebration.
Petula Clark
Petula Clark is a legendary figure in popular music who has enjoyed a string of Top 40 hits around the world.
Saturday 12 August (noon – midnight)
Morris On
Fairport Convention founder Ashley Hutchings will lead a spectacular show of music and dance celebrating England’s rich Morris heritage.
Judy Dyble and the Band of Perfect Strangers
Fairport’s original female vocalist Judy Dyble will appear with her regular musical collaborators.
Plainsong
Fairport’s first male lead singer, Iain Matthews will be joined at Cropredy by Andy Roberts and Mark Griffiths.
Cats in Space
A power-pop seven-piece, Cats In Space unashamedly looks back to the golden days of rock.
Marillion
Returning to Cropredy by popular demand, Marillion pioneered the British ‘neo-prog’ genre.
Dougie MacLean
A Cropredy debut for Dougie MacLean, one of Scotland’s best-loved solo performers.
Fairport Convention and guests
The festival will end with a stunning set celebrating Fairport’s fiftieth anniversary. The band will be joined by Richard Thompson and other former members.
Fairport’s Cropredy Convention music festival takes place on Thursday 10, Friday 11 and Saturday 12 August 2017 at Cropredy near Banbury (three miles from Junction 11 of the M40 motorway).
CROPREDY 2017 TICKETS:
Online ticket purchase from http://www.fairportconvention.com
Telephone ticket purchase line 0900 637 1644 (8am-8pm only)
As in previous years, the festival offers three-day (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) tickets, two-day (Friday and Saturday) tickets and Saturday-only tickets.
Prices for tickets purchased between 1 June and 31 July are:
Three-day (Thurs, Fri, Sat) ticket £130
Two-day (Fri and Sat) ticket £120
Saturday-only ticket £80
Prices for tickets purchased after 31 July (including at the festival gates) are:
Three-day (Thurs, Fri, Sat) ticket £135
Two-day (Fri and Sat) ticket £125
Saturday-only ticket £85
Children under 12 years old are admitted free provided they are accompanied by an adult ticket holder.
