You’ve got the weekend of 22-24 April booked off from work, you arrive at Healeys Cyder Farm, the home of RATTLERFEST, start getting stuck in to the many cyders that they have on offer but you’re not sure about which bands to go and watch….that’s where we come in!
If you’re into your music, you are no doubt well versed with the headline acts (Utah Saints, Dub Pistols, Scott Mills (Radio 1 DJ) and The Feeling) but do you know anything about the other acts on the bill? If the answer is ‘no’, then read on to learn more about some of the acts that you should definitely check out whilst you’re there.
Antimatador
Antimatador are an 8-strong synth laden, horn heavy outfit from SW:UK, fusing hiphop, funk, jazz, electronica, soul, rock and DnB.
They deliver a nuclear explosion of high energy and positive vibes and have crafted a sound all of their own.
Whether it’s the cerebral vocals and tricksy horn licks or huge synths and earthy rhythms, they bring something for everyone to every show.
Catch them playing on Friday.
Black Friday
In 2006 singer Tom O Reilly started a folk band, joined by Party on mandolin and Helen on bass. many years and hundreds of gigs later and the line up has grown to include Ryan on fiddle, Kit on guitar and Jovian on drums. The band have racked up an impressive list of festival peformances including Glastonbury, Boomtown fair, Boardmasters, Trowbridge folk festival, Little Orchard Cider festival, Port Eliot, Eletcric Picnic (ireland) and Madhatters (france). Since 2009 they have visited Austria on many occasions and regularly played christmas parties and europes largest festival – Donauinsel fest. This year the band made their TV debut on Sky 1’s most popular drama ‘Delicious’ with Dawn French.
The band have played support for Canadian folk-punk band Mahones, Ferocious Dog, The Wurzels and Brendan Shine. They have also been joined on stage by a huge range of local and international folk musicians including Seth Lakeman, the Belfast Busker, Maddog Mcrea and Simon the national Spoons Champion!
After playing at the renowned Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues Club in London, they were invited to record at the famous Maida Vale studio in London for a live BBC session. While they were there, they met their hero, Pogues singer Shane MacGowan, who enjoyed the band’s rendition of Dirty Old Town enough to buy Tom a Jamesons.
In 2008 the band broke a Guinness Record by performing the most gigs in one day – 30 gigs in 12 hours.
Catch them playing on Saturday.
The Busketeers
The Busketeers are an energetic, instrument swapping, vocal harmonising group formed on the streets of Plymouth, Devon, UK. The band is made up of four artists in their own right, Ken Williams (Kenoby), Luke Engel (and the Mountain People), Matthew Gordon Price and Olly Parker (Pint Sized Tiger). The band labels itself as a “Progressive Busking” act which is also the title of their debut EP.
The members are from different backgrounds and have unique styles, but what really makes these guys stand is that they are multi-instrumentalists, perform classics from every decade; have unique twists, mid-song switching & harmonies that will melt your heart.
Catch them playing on Friday.
Company B
Company B are a jump jive band hailing from the “sunny” county of Cornwall, England. Over the last 11 years this rowdy 7 piece have been popping up all over the South West and further afield at various locations from London Science Museum to headlining slots at various festivals, playing support to many international artists.
Company B brings the sights and sounds of the 1940’s bang up to date with a rowdy energetic show full of swing and swagger. The band, who have built a reputation as one of the most entertaining acts in the South West, boast a rock-solid rhythm section, an exhilarating horn section and dynamic vocals which veer from rowdy chant to tight harmonies.
Company B play the songs of Louis Prima, Louis Jordan and others alongside their own “tongue in cheek” originals to create a hot atmosphere that is surprisingly cool to all ages.
Catch them performing on Sunday.
Roguey Roads
Hailing from Oxford, Rhys, Calum and Gus Warriner founded the lovable band Roguey Roads in the summer of 2017 and have been making waves in the indie music scene ever since.
These three brothers have gigged all over the country and internationally from pubs, clubs, music venues, festivals, private parties and weddings supporting the likes of Nathan Ball, Thrill Collins, Waiting for Smith and Andy Bennett.
Their refreshing style, genetic harmony and infectious energy make them the band you don’t want to miss!
Catch them live on Saturday.
Sam and the Womp
Sam and the Womp are a British group experimenting by mixing different genres from Dub and Drum N Bass to big brass fueled Balkan Funk and beyond.
Fronted by trumpeter and chief rabble-rouser Sam Ritchie and Dutch born singer/songwriter Bloom de Wilde. The group’s debut single ‘Bom Bom’ shot straight to No 1 in the UK music charts in August 2012 and has sold over a million copies worldwide.
The band prioritize the party and break free of conventional genres creating a fun, upbeat dance-floor vibe.
Catch them live on Saturday.
So there you go folks, just some of the many acts that are performing at RATTLERFEST, hopefully you may have just found a new favourite and you’ll be at the front of the stage, dancing along to their vibes…..
To see ALL acts that are playing at the festival and to purchase your tickets, head to the official RATTLERFEST WEBSITE
We curated our very own RATTLERFEST playlist which can be seen below, just hit play and get a flavour of what to expect.
Remember that RATTLERFEST is strictly over 18’s but if you are looking for more of a family friendly vibe, why not look at the Little Orchard Cider Festival (Kula Shaker, The Celtic Social Club, Feeder and many more) that takes place at the same venue from 9-11 September.
