Following the press launch and subsequent roll out of around forty scheduled artists, the two names which particularly caught the eye were US performers Justin Townes Earle and Sierra Hull. The latter is appearing on the back of sparkling credentials in terms of a Grammy nomination for her latest album WEIGHTED MIND. Although Sierra has been a seriously acclaimed bluegrass artist since her prodigious childhood days, she is still a sense of discovery here and the headline performance slot at Maverick will go a long way to revealing what makes her special. In contrast Justin Townes Earle has been well within the peripheral of the horizon since first seeing him play live to the mass sum of eight people in Worcester in 2008. Obviously his standing here has vastly increased over the subsequent years with several tours and album releases. You never know what style to expect from Justin and he is, in the truest sense of the word, a maverick.
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| Don Gallardo Maverick 2015 |
While we are in the geographical region of the dozen or so
American acts booked for this year, it is worth pinpointing two who jumped out
from a personal perspective. Don Gallardo is no stranger to the stages of
Easton Farm Park and really made a strong effect two years ago when he toured
his fabulous album HICKORY. New York based Annie Keating may possess a
different sound to Don’s southern flavour, but the UK has long been on the
horizon for this multi-recording artist. This year’s tour including the
Maverick Festival presents Annie with an extended opportunity for folks to find
out why her music has been received so well in reviewing circles on both sides
of the pond.
Frequently Maverick falls either on the national days of
America or Canada. This year’s Saturday is July 1st and three
artists from north of the 49th parallel can celebrate their
homeland’s special day in the rural surroundings of deepest Suffolk. Two make
their Maverick return in the guise of Maritime natives Dennis Ellsworth and
Amelia Curran. If you were fortunate to be at Maverick in 2013, a key highlight
was the Peacock Café performance by Dennis with the hastily assembled house
band. The success of this was celebrated in an end of year reflection which
placed the event in the Top 10 Festival Sets of 2013. Amelia will be
accompanied by her stunning new album WATERSHED which has taken her music to
another level in terms of sound and an ability to expose the stigma of mental
health via such highly crafted songs. Terra Lightfoot is the third Canadian on
this year’s bill and her rockier sound will ensure that tranquility is not the
sole domain of these quaint surroundings.
Apart from a couple of Aussies and an Irishman, the bulk of
the remaining artists are home based and once again represent a combination of
festival regulars and much welcomed newbies. The two most anticipated in the
latter category are Dean Owens and Hannah Rose Platt. Hannah is finally
beginning to get the live bookings that her excellent 2015 album PORTRAITS
warranted especially from events, organisations and venues that specialise away
from any mainstream pretensions. Likewise Dean Owens is in the midst of getting
more exposure, and this has been particularly buoyed by frequent jaunts south
of the border with his superb latest album INTO THE SEA in tow.
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| The Black Feathers Maverick 2015 |
Maverick Festival regulars will need no introduction to the
return of Police Dog Hogan after missing a couple of years. Whether they are outside
stage, Peacock Café or Barn scheduled, likely to be the latter on past
evidence, a good time is sure to be had by the assembled gathering. The BlackFeathers and Case Hardin are also fine examples of top British acts to
sufficiently impress to be asked back, Both has been around for a few years,
have high quality albums in their catalogue and are sure to put on a good show.
A final UK artist worth mentioning is Luke Whittemore who ventures down from
his East Midlands stronghold and possesses a style of music that will go down
well with a wider audience in a festival setting.
Inevitably any slightly summarised festival preview will
probably omit performers who may proceed to be the stars of the weekend. This
is the beauty and mouth-watering anticipation of any multi-artist gathering, so
remember to check back for the post festival review to see if any names missed
here sprang to prominence over the weekend. While there is little doubt that
the tenth anniversary of the Maverick Festival will be another success, this
landmark gathering does permit a small amount of self-congratulating and
reflection on all the fine artists who have graced the event since 2008. It has
been an honour to attend seven of the previous nine festivals and whether you
are a Maverick veteran or a potential debutant, the existence of these many
return trips gives a major pinpoint of why the event is fast becoming a
stalwart of the UK roots and independent music scene.
Don't forget to check out the artists' gig and album reviews linked.
Artist line up accurate at time of publication.
FOOTNOTE: Unfortunately Amelia Curran has had to cancel her UK tour and thus an appearance at the Maverick Festival.
www.maverickfestival.co.uk
Check out some past Maverick Festival reviews:
Don't forget to check out the artists' gig and album reviews linked.
Artist line up accurate at time of publication.
FOOTNOTE: Unfortunately Amelia Curran has had to cancel her UK tour and thus an appearance at the Maverick Festival.
www.maverickfestival.co.uk
Check out some past Maverick Festival reviews:
TICKET PRICES
Ranger £95.00
Weekend ticket with admission to all stages and includes up to TWO nights camping FRIDAY and SATURDAY
Wrangler £75.00
Weekend ticket with admission to all stages No Camping
Rustler £45.00
Day ticket, Saturday only
Nighthawk £25.00
Friday night only
Holy Roller £20.00
Sunday only
Tenderfoot £20.00
Children 10-15 yrs, under 10's go free
T: @mavfest // F: @MaverickFestivalSuffolk
www.maverickfestival.co.uk
Visit maverickfestival.co.uk for the latest line-up and ticket offers.
Easton Farm Park, Easton, Woodbridge, IP13 0EQ