FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Maverick - Easton Farm Park, Suffolk. Friday 6th to Sunday 8th July 2018

You watch them come and go on the festival scene, but Maverick remains steadfast as the destination of choice for the first full weekend of July each summer. Now in its second decade of existence, this compact festival in the quaint surrounding of rural Suffolk motors on, powered by a formula that rarely changes from staging to staging. Expect a serious dissection of a scene influenced by American roots music through a host of worldwide sourced acts making themselves available for this celebratory gathering. 2018 may see the term ‘Americana’ proceed along a more focussed path in the UK, but its roots and lineage certainly go back through the inaugural Maverick Festival unveiled in 2008.

Easton Farm Park has been the host of Maverick since its birth and it is difficult to imagine it being staged elsewhere such are the unique and quirky facets of the environment that are entwined within the festival experience. Adapted performing locations like The Barn, Peacock Café and Moonshine Bar come to life over the weekend as artists varying in style and format unite in a common ethos. These artists range from the familiar to ‘the soon to become’ familiar, all scheduled within a framework that obviously has been successful in ensuring the festival returns on an annual basis.  

If your horizons are motivated by household big budget names then Maverick is not really aimed to you. Alternatively, a desire to discover new acts, with an assured quality stamp mark, will be comprehensively met across the weekend. The organisation, vibes and atmosphere attached to the festival are welcoming both to fans ingrained into the music or others content to casually soak up what there is to offer.

To get a full flavour for the 2018 line up, which once again includes artists invited from Australia and Canada to join the lengthy ranks of home grown and American talent, take time out to peruse the listings. Regulars to Maverick will see plenty of returnees alongside names that may well become new favourites by the time the dust settles on the Sunday afternoon. Checking out unknown artists hardly has the inconvenience of past years in this modern digitally connected world, so a few clicks and searches will start to reveal some of the fine artists that are likely to enrich your music world.

Precedence of attending this event for the last eight years goes as close to guaranteeing decent weather as you are likely to get on these shores at the height of an English summer. Although not relatively tested at festival time, the layout of Easton Farm Park and abundance of covered location would play a part in alleviating an inclement weather onslaught.

An early glance at the line up presents interesting US acts in Bonnie Bishop, Cordovas and Jonathan Byrd as initial ones to watch, although the latter has been a touring regular over here for a number of years. From a home perspective, Curse of Lono have strived to become a seriously impressive live act over the last year, while who can argue with another festival appearance for Danny and the Champions of the World. Nottinghamshire based band Most Ugly Child were the architects of a very good album last year and should go down well. Fresh from being the find of last year’s event, Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes once again make the long journey from Australia, this time joined by their compatriots Imogen Clark and The Weeping Willows. Concluding this brief introduction of ones to follow are Anna Tivel, Jeffrey Martin and Southern Avenue, but this is really just the start.

Some music fans will advance to Suffolk with a heavily researched intent, while others will just go with an open mind. One guarantee is that all will return home fulfilled and in affirmation that Maverick has lived up to its reputation. From experience, it has regularly delivered in the past and all indicators point to a continuation. 

Ticket Information

Maverick Festival 2018

Following a milestone 10th anniversary last year, the UK’s first and finest Americana festival is thrilled to announce the 2018 line-up.

This year Maverick Festival will take place from Friday 6th – Sunday 8th July, showcasing the most authentic and talented musicians from both sides of the         Atlantic.  Over the past decade Maverick Festival organisers have stuck to what they believe in, presenting exciting and inspiring line-ups year after year. 

www.maverickfestival.co.uk

The Maverick Festival is set amongst the restored Victorian barns and out-buildings of Easton Farm Park, nestled deep in the Suffolk countryside yet only two hours from London, with films, workshops and performances from over fifty different artists across six stages, indoors and out.

“One of the friendliest, most sincere festivals in England … fine music, great fun, delightful people and an idyllic rural setting” - The Telegraph

There’s a carefully selected range of food on offer at the festival (with many veggie options) including pizza, paella and pasta, Thai, tacos, Texan bar b q and chili, duck pancakes and crepes, followed by award winning local ice cream, brownies and waffles, all washed down with freshly squeezed lemonade, tea and freshly ground coffee, Suffolk cyder and a selection of local ales, wine and lager. 

2018 Line Up Includes ...

THE DANBERRYS / HILLFOLK NOIR / TERRA LIGHTFOOT / TOM PARKES / THE GRANDE / CURSE OF LONO / PEPE BELMONTE / THE MANTIC MUDDLERS / A DIFFERENT THREAD / JONATHAN BYRD / DANNY AND THE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD / DAN WEBSTER /  THE MOUNTAIN FIREWORK COMPANY / THE GOAT ROPER RODEO BAND / ARKANSAS DAVE / LUCAS & KING / LUKE TUCHSCHERER / JEFFREY MARTIN / ANNA TIVEL / THE MOST UGLY CHILD /  DYLAN EARL / THE BAYHORSE BOYS / SOUTHERN AVENUE / BONNIE BISHOP / IMOGEN CLARK / RYAN FARMER / AMELIA WHITE / LACHLAN BRYAN AND THE WILDES / BJ COLE / KEHAU KAHANANUI / THE VAGABAND / CORDOVAS / HANS CHEW & more …

See https://maverickfestival.co.uk/line-up/ for full line up info.

**Plus latest additions**

AMA-UK Songwriters In The Round

+ Johnny Cash Tribute

Maverick Festival is delighted to announce a special feature in this years programme, songwriters in the round sessions presented by the AMA UK. Each session will be led by a US artist; including BONNIE BISHOP with AGS CONNOLLY and ROBBIE CAVANAGH, ANNA TIVEL with KATE ELLIS and JAMES RILEY and JEFFREY MARTIN with ROSANNE REID and STEVE GROZIER.

  

Another exciting addition to the festival programme is a tribute to legendary American singer JOHNNY CASH, celebrating 50 years since Folsom Prison Blues album and led by fellow Arkansas musician ARKANSAS DAVE; with contributions from AMY MCCARLEY, PEPE BELMONTE, DAN WEBSTER, AMELIA WHITE and many more.

Past Maverick Festival Reviews:

2017  2016  2015  2014  2013  2012