The Bath International Music Festival returns to the Somer Valley area this weekend with gigs in Midsomer Norton, Paulton and Radstock as the festival again expands to local venues.
The music begins at Midsomer Norton Town Hall on Saturday, 21st May with the soulful Nuala Honan. Originally from rural Australia, Nuala followed her family’s musical heritage to England, after winning Most Outstanding Female Vocalist at the South Australian Music Industry Awards and has performed at major festivals including Glastonbury, Bestival and WOMAD. Supporting Nuala on the night are Emi McDade and Simon Allen.
Emi is an 18-year-old bursting with talent. In 2014, she was named Gloucestershire Solo Artist of the Year and has since been supported by BBC Introducing through her single ‘Faith’, as well as becoming a finalist in the 2015 Song Academy Young Songwriter of the Year.
Simon writes songs about love, loss and everything in between. Born in Northern Ireland and now living in Radstock, Simon has a beautifully-crafted guitar style and a voice to match, combined with his skillful song writing. Simon was the winner of the Bath Folk Festival ‘New Shoots’ competition in 2014.
At Paulton Library on Thursday, 26th May, the most intimate show of the festival takes place as Sam Eason headlines an evening of blissful folk music. Sam has had a busy few years since honing his craft at open mic nights and has headlined The Fleece in Bristol as well as supporting David McAlmont, Sandi Thom, Scott Matthews,
Winter Mountain and James Vincent McMorrow, among others. Sam has released six EPs, including 2014’s ‘Leave The Dark Low’ and ‘Live at the Fleece’ which captures him at his very best.
Supporting Sam in Paulton is Lauren Castle. Lauren is one of the most exciting up-and-coming singer-songwriters in the West Country and has already released a successful EP in 2014 (‘Vintage Dress’), as well as performing across the county and beyond for the last two years, including a spot on the Bath Music Festival’s bandstand at Parade Gardens in 2015!
Finally, on Saturday, 28th May, the festival heads to Radstock to partner with DNA arts for an exciting day of arts and music that will see Gaz Brookfield headline the finale of ‘Round About Radstock’ at Victoria Hall. The daytime event will see local arts and music in full flow across Radstock and if you can collect five stamps on the special Round About Radstock Passport you will receive money off a ticket to see Gaz in action.
Gaz remains the only unsigned solo artist to sell out The Fleece, Bristol – a feat he has now achieved four times, the last two selling out over six months in advance. For
details, visit: bathfestivals.org.uk/music or call: 01225 463362.
Danny Brothers