The Ropewalk’s Guitar Festival
Two up and coming stars and one with years of live performance behind him are part of next week’s first ever Ropewalk Guitar Festival.
Played out at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall from Thursday, June 2, to Saturday, June 4, the Festival promises something for everyone – from the dizzying heights of Martin Taylor on the first evening to folk legend Dave Swarbrick on Friday and Chantel McGregor on the final evening.
“I think that for the first Guitar Festival staged at The Ropewalk we have been very lucky to attract such a diversity of guitar talent,” said promoter Mark Keable of mtm promotions.
“One band I am particularly looking forward to is the Marcus Bonfanti Trio who spent last year playing his own brand of blues up and down the country,” Mark went on. “He is fast building a reputation as one of the most exciting acts on the live circuit.”
Bradford born Chantel McGregor is making a rare solo appearance at the Maltkiln Road venue. Chantel has been playing guitar – a half-size acoustic – since the ripe old age of three and in her early teens developed rapidly into an incredible rock and blues musician.
Realising at an early age that if you picked up a guitar you got attention, especially from her dad whose guitar it usually was, it was inevitable that she would get one of her own. So at the ripe old age of three, she got her first guitar, a half size acoustic.
After studying at the Leeds College of Music where she achieved a First Class Honours degree in Popular Music in July 2009 she has quickly built up a following playing both solo and with her band throughout the UK and in Europe.
He may not be a guitar player but Dave Swarbrick can certainly play those strings. Described as “the most influential [British] fiddle player bar none” his style has been copied or developed by almost every British and many world folk violin players.
One of the most highly regarded musicians produced by the second British folk revival, his work for the group Fairport Convention from 1969 is usually credited with leading them to produce their seminal album Liege and Lief (1969) which initiated the electric folk movement.
He guided the band through a series of important albums until its disbandment in 1979 and since then he has played in a series of smaller, acoustic units and engaged in solo projects.
“Dave was last at Ropery Hall nearly two years ago with his band Lazarus so we are delighted to welcome him back,” Mark continued.
Tickets for Dave’s appearance on Friday evening alongside the Steve Tilston and Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley cost £20; to listen to Marcus Bonfanti alongside the Steve Skaith Band and Paul Lidell on the Saturday afternoon costs £18 while Chantel McGregor will be appearing in the final session alongside Walter Strauss and Ezio with tickets costing £20.
The Ropery Coffee shop will be open until 7.30pm on the Saturday evening and will be serving food until 7pm for those who will be at both afternoon and evening sessions or arriving early for the evening session.
