Chagstock Festival

previous years

The Boomtown Rats

The Saturday night headliner will be recently reformed Irish New Wave legends, The Boomtown Rats. Featuring all four original members; Bob Geldof, Pete Briquette, Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe, The Boomtown Rats’ Chagstock appearance is their only 2013 UK Festival headline performance, and one of only two UK dates this summer.

Formed in 1975 in Dublin, The Boomtown Rats played their first UK shows with the Ramones and Talking Heads and fought the punk wars alongside the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Jam and The Stranglers. They were one of the biggest bands of the late 70’s and 80’s, and their string of top ten hits and platinum albums earned them Brit Awards, Ivor Novellos and Grammy’s. They made history as the first Irish band to have a UK no 1 hit with Rat Trap.

Bob Geldof says, “"The second I heard the name 'Shagstock' I knew that was THE festival for The Boomtown Rats. Only later when we agreed and signed contracts did Simon, the Rats drummer, point out it was in fact 'Chagstock', his local summer Music Fest. Oh well…I will do my best to personally attempt to do everything in my power to have the name revert to my far better original mistake. 

It’s a beautiful part of the world. Billy Bragg is a hero. The Rats are a great band. It will be a pleasure to do the Rat in Devon again." website

 Billy Bragg

The winner of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2013 Roots Award Billy Bragg will be playing the support slot to the main headliners on the main stage Saturday 20 July.

Billy Bragg releases his first new studio album in five years Tooth & Nail on Cooking Vinyl records on March 18 2013. Available formats are CD, LP and a limited special edition CD+DVD Bookpack.

Drawing on personal rather than political themes, Tooth & Nail  was recorded over a whirlwind five-day session with Grammy Award winning producer Joe Henry (whose impeccable production credits include Solomon Burke, Aimee Mann, Elvis Costello and Hugh Laurie) in his South Pasadena basement studio.  With Joe taking Billy out of his comfort zone (all vocals were recorded live without retakes or overdubs) the album features an accomplished crew of musicians, including Greg Leisz (Bon Iver), Patrick Warren (Lana Del Rey), Jay Bellerose (Regina Spektor) and David Piltch (Ramblin’ Jack Eliot). The spontaneous results are, according to Billy, a return to the rootsy sound of 1998’s Mermaid Avenue sessions he recorded with Wilco - drawing on soul, country and folk music influences to explore the ups and downs of relationships that have stood the test of time. 

In his own words: “In 2011, I took a long, hard look at who I am and what I do. This album is the result.” website

Headliners on the main stage for the Friday night. English Indie rock band whose fourth album ‘Radlands’, released on 30^th April via Rough Trade Records. The album was recorded in Austin, Texas and Streatham, London and was co-produced by Mystery Jets and Dan Carey (Hot Chip, Franz Ferdinand, Emiliana Torrini). website

Dizraeli and the Small Gods

Dizraeli and the Small Gods are a 7 piece band from Engurland, playing a melodic, unashamedly heartfelt reinvention of hiphop.
So Far...
Headed by award-winning rapper and multi-instrumentalist Dizraeli and featuring World Female Beatbox Champion Bellatrix, The Small Gods formed in autumn 2009 to tour
Diz's debut solo album Engurland (City Shanties). Within a year the band had been invited to play on prestigious stages around the country, from Glastonbury's West Holts stage to London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, and had collaborated with artists as diverse as Chris Wood (2x BBC Folk Singer of the Year) and Shlomo (beatboxer and World Loop Station Champion). website

Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman

Two of the British folk scenes most accomplished performers, Kathryn and Sean have graced stages the world over in a number of guises, however, the intimacy and strength of passion shown as a duo, combined with an eclectic repertoire ensures a rare treat for any listener.

With a story that includes music making with the likes of Seth Lakeman, Cara Dillon, Levellers, Kate Rusby and Show of Hands, Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman have established themselves as pillars of modern British folk. website

The Aurora Skies

The winners of the 2012 Okehampton Battle Of The Bands.

The Aurora Skies are a four piece hybrid sub rock band who pride themselves on giving energetic and exciting performances each and every single time. With a catalogue of original material that will leave you wanting more, this band are definitely one to look out for. facebook

New Crisis

Of course, they are the Chagstock house band!!

 Ferocious Dog

Here are 'Ferocious Dog' from Warsop, Nottinghamshire. They are here to entertain you with their wild melodies with influences from folk through to ska, rock and back into our bountyful musical past they are here to bring you joy and hope you will join them to dance many a night away. website

 Wille & The Bandits

Wille and the Bandits’ music covers a wide range of genres from Folk and World music to Blues and Rock. With the versatility of Wille’s lap steel and guitar playing, the rhythmic diversity of percussionist Andrew Naumann and the sonic range of Matt’s Upright bass and six string electric bass, they always keep audiences guessing. Often likened to the greats of the 70’s such as Led Zeppelin, Santana and Pink Floyd, this comparison, although bold, only scrapes the surface of the Bands influences and sound. website

Brother & Bones

Brother & Bones have been described as ‘Powerful, uplifting and impeccably performed’.  The live show is a powerhouse of performance with a rarely seen weight coming from a band fronted with an acoustic guitar. The 5 piece set-up also features 2 drummers, giving the ability to deliver a ferocious dynamic at times, as well as providing the subtleties that make for a truly world class performance. website

Marc O'Reilly

Marc’s album ranges from US and UK inspired folk ‘n’ blues to African percussive rhythms. His roots may lie in Ireland and France, but Marc’s sound rests somewhere between old American folk-blues and The Black Keys – Andy McKee and Tom Waits. Marc is gaining a reputation as a spellbinding live performer with his husky vocals complimented by scintillating guitar playing. website

 Crazy Arm

myspace

Flats & Sharps

"We aim to put a smile on your face, get your toes tappin and make you feel good"

website

Crowns

website

 Skinny Dog

Chagford's native sons Skinny Dog bring oak-smoked music from the dusty bar-rooms of Dartmoor dives. Fronted by tv's naturalist-next-door Nick Baker on vocals and harmonicas and with the guitar legend that is Ian Chadwick, they're busy putting together their own powerful take on old school rhythm & blues and low-down dirty funk, influenced by the likes of Rival Sons and The Black Keys. All of the Skinnies have great pedigree in the local live music scene - you may even spot some of them appearing in other guises at Chagstock...!

 Lillian Todd Jones

Introducing Lillian Todd Jones, a 23 year old fire dancer from Dartmoor. Debut clutch of songs written and recorded with Gordon Mills jr (Ed Sheeran, Newton Faulkner) in London.

Yes Sir Boss

Stoned Records’ first signing YES SIR BOSS have cultivated a truly original, distinct and indefinable sound that has elements of everything from a brooding Balkan blues band to a horn injected indie rock outfit. The ecstatic meeting of these diverse sounds makes YSB’s funky, rootsy, uplifting tunes beguilingly unique.

Matthew & Me

"Like an ethereal Prefab Sprout or Wild Beasts mating with Belle & Sebastian round Robin Guthrie’s place”

Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo

UK based but hailing from Western Australia, Emily Barker is a compelling singer-songwriter, who with her band The Red Clay Halo blends classical, rock, country and folk influences to stunning effect.

Lily & Meg

"lily & meg punctuate their vocals with guitar, harmonica and banjo, their voices imbued with that simple, yet crucial, power to hold a room spellbound." Mail Online

Live Lounge Acts

* Cate McHugh (solo singer / guitarist) 

* F.I.S.H. (jazz / funk trio from Bovey way)

* The Globe Singers

* Jodie / Callum / Tom

* Krasa (klezmer trio from Chagford)

* Mozura (Americana trio from Exeter)

* Nosey Crows

* Towma (piano-led trio)

* We Three Kings

* Woodward / Gibbons