With all the hype and mystery that surrounds the music industry, sometimes it’s good to get back to basics. At its heart, music is a creative expression that’s best when shared between friends. When a group of friends who make music come together to share their work with an audience and each other, there’s a recipe for something life-affirming to happen. Just such a thing is happening this August in London at the Omnibus Theatre, a converted Victorian Library, situated in the heart of Clapham Old Town.
The creative force behind the event is one of our favourite UK music men, Albert Man. Bringing together sixteen talented musicians, who he’s had the pleasure of getting to know during his time in the business, is a labour of love that doesn’t just showcase his mates. It also proves that he’s one of the nice guys, so head along and be part of this friend-fest of great music.
Still not got your ticket? Click here now – there’s every chance Music Makers will be a sell-out!
Keep in touch with all the Music Makers Festival news at:
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Before you read on, Albert Man – the creative force behind the Music Makers Festival – is giving a FREE download of “Cheap Suit”, from his album of the same name, to Angry Baby readers. If you’re not already subscribed to Angry Baby, just pop the email address that you’d like it delivered to here and it will be on its way to you straight away, together with a bumper collection of music that has been shared by Angry Baby. The music comes from outstanding artists that you may not have heard before. With a mix of rock, pop, folk…you name it…there’s bound to be something new that floats your musical boat, and all for free! What’s not to like about that?!
Saturday 5th August
Steve Young – 16.45 – 17.15
What better way to open a festival than with the folk-country troubadour himself. Steve Young has been gathering fans on both sides of the pond and beyond for a while now, with his warm, country-infused tunes. It’s only a matter of time before he’ll be playing much, much bigger stages so this may be one of those ‘I saw him back in the day…’ occasions.
Follow Steve at: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Matt Perriment – 17.30 – 18.00
If you’ve been listening out for a voice to fall in love with, look no further. With effortless emotion in every note, Matt Perriment has been enthralling audiences across the festival circuit. Prepare to be carried away.
Find Matt at: Facebook | Twitter
Adam Masterson – 18.15 – 18.45
Bringing the energy to the stage, Adam Masterson’s live performance credentials are impressive. He’s been packing ’em in from New York to Berlin to London this year already, so catch him while you can.
Keep up with Adam at: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Ilona – 19.00 – 19.30
With a voice to die for, award-winning singer-songwriter Ilona brings her powerful, storytelling style to Music Makers. It’ll be pin-drop intense.
Get all of Ilona’s news at: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Belle Roscoe – 19.45 – 20.15
How well do you get on with your brothers and sisters? You may be close, but close enough to form a band and cross the planet to play together? Australian duo Matty & Julia Gurry have done just that, bringing addictive indie-rock band Belle Roscoe to Europe and landing perfectly on the Music Makers mid-evening stage.
Follow Belle Roscoe at: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Dani Sylvia – 20.30 – 21.00
Is she electro? Is she acoustic? Is she urban? Is she disco? However Dani Sylvia shows up, her genre-defying style will have the crowd in the palm of her hand. If she’s taking requests, “Free” from her EP Monologues would do it for us.
Give Dani a like and a follow at: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Up Down Go Machine – 21.15 – 21.45
Filling the room with their raging folk-rock is Up Down Go Machine, or UDGM to their friends. Hailing from the home of song, Welsh siblings Stephen and Ria Hallwood and their band promise to bring the house down. The audience may not ever want to go home.
Follow UGDM at: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Prose – 22.00 – 22.30
Bringing Day 1 to a close, Manchester-based trio Mike Murray, Lee Royle & Dave Stone’s anthemic rap-led electro-folk is relentlessly contemporary yet timeless in its message. Get ready to storm the stage!
Find Prose at: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Sunday 6th August
Mark Sullivan – 16.45 – 17.15
Mark Sullivan has a voice to fill arenas. Which is just as well, since he’s played a few. Combine that with his astonishingly accomplished guitar-work (this guy must practice in his sleep – he’s so dang good!) and you’ve got every reason to arrive early. You won’t want to miss a note.
Follow Mark at: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Tara Lee 17.30 – 18.00
There must be a rule that no festival is complete without an Irish contingent. Tara Lee brings her Dublin roots to London for Music Makers, but she’s no Celtic-carbon-copy. Slick, artfully controlled vocals overlay delicate acoustic accompaniments. Or she rocks out. You choose.
Keep up with Tara Lee’s latest at: Facebook | Twitter
Brian McGovern – 18.15 – 18.45
Also from Dublin, and describing himself as ‘a guy who writes songs and likes tangfastics*’, Brian’s soulful folk speaks to the heart. There may be hands in the air and tears in the eyes for this set.
*Tangfastics are a sour candy, from the Haribo brand. Don’t forget to take a pack to share with him.
Find Brian, with or without Tangfastics, at: Facebook | Twitter
Anna Pancaldi – 19.00 – 19.30
Full of hauntingly authentic raw emotion, Anna Pancaldi’s music has been wowing the crowds at her headline gigs, and receiving acclaim from those in the know. Take a listen to hear why she’s mentioned in the same breath and Joni Mitchell and Jeff Buckley. You won’t want to miss her.
Follow Anna at: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
The City and Us – 19.45 – 20.15
Isn’t it always the way, you wait forever for an Irish act then three turn up at (almost) the same time. Here’s the third. Still fresh out of the cling film, The City And Us came together in a magical moment of serendipity last Christmas. From those first beginnings in a small cafe in Portarlington to the Music Makers stage is just one small step in what promises to be a long and fruitful journey.
Follow The City and Us all the way at: Facebook | Twitter
Albert Man – 20.30 – 21.00
Ever the crowd pleaser, the piano man himself, Mr Albert Man, hasn’t just made this festival happen. He’ll be there with his songs to ensure the party goes with a swing. Let’s hope the schedule allows for encores!
Catch up with Albert, and give him a ‘like’ at: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Tom Speight – 21.15 – 21.45
Prepare to tap those toes, Tom Speight is in the house! Bringing the mix of folk-pop that every festival needs to keep the crowds on their feet, we guarantee they’ll be singing along in five, even if they’ve never heard the songs before. It’s just that sort of music.
Follow Tom at: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Michele Stodart – 22.00 – 22.30
Thank heavens for the night tube on the Northern Line. Michelle Stodart’s signature Americana will keep ’em packing out the floor until the final notes are little more than a memory, and still wanting more. Fans of The Magic Numbers will be delighted with her transformation into a solo showstopper. New listeners will be fans very soon.
Find out all you need to know at: Website | Facebook | Twitter
And get your free download of music from Angry Baby now, including Albert Man’s “Cheap Suit” – just pop your email down below.
