Fairport's Cropredy Convention 2023

Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2023

Festival announces full line up;
Nile Rodgers and CHIC to headline

Fairport's Cropredy Convention three-day open-air music festival today announces the complete line-up of acts booked for this summer’s event which takes place at Cropredy on Thursday 10, Friday 11 and Saturday 12 August 2023. 

The festival will feature its usual eclectic mix of acts - everything from acoustic folk to rock and prog and all things in between. 

The Cropredy team is delighted to announce that the fabulous Nile Rodgers & CHIC will headline on Thursday 10 August. The Cropredy audience can expect an unforgettable show from this multi-award winning songwriter, composer, producer and guitarist. 

Other highlights include 10CC headlining on the Friday, Toyah & Robert Fripp, Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri, Gilbert O’Sullivan, the UK farewell performance by Strawbs and a three-hour headline set from host band Fairport Convention.

Full ticket and booking information is on the Fairport Convention website -www.fairportconvention.com/faqs

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EDITORS’ NOTES FOLLOW

NOTES: NILE RODGERS & CHIC

Nile Rodgers is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and a multiple Grammy Award winning songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist. As the co-founder of CHIC, Rodgers pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping hits like ‘Le Freak’, the biggest selling single in the history of Atlantic Records, and sparked the advent of hip-hop with ‘Good Times.’ 

His work in the CHIC Organization including ‘We Are Family’ with Sister Sledge and ‘I’m Coming Out’ with Diana Ross and his productions for artists like David Bowie (‘Let’s Dance’), Madonna (‘Like A Virgin’) and Duran Duran (‘The Reflex’) have sold over 500 million albums and 100 million singles worldwide while his innovative, trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk, Daddy Yankee and Beyonce reflect the vanguard of contemporary hits.
http://www.nilerodgers.com 

NOTES: FULL LINE-UP IN RUNNING ORDER

Thursday 10 August 2023 (4pm – 11pm)

Fairport Convention
Host band Fairport Convention will open the festival with a short acoustic performance then take the stage again on Saturday to play the headline closing set.
https://fairportconvention.com/

Merry Hell
Springing from punk-folk roots, Merry Hell is making its Cropredy debut. In just five years this eight-piece folkrock band has become a firm favourite on the festival scene.
http://www.merryhell.co.uk

Wilson & Wakeman
Adam Wakeman is best known as the keyboard player with Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath and Damian Wilson is a songwriter and vocalist who has appeared on over seventy albums.
http://www.wilsonwakeman.com

Toyah Willcox & Robert Fripp
After a surprise appearance at Cropredy last year, Toyah and Robert are back with a full band featuring Robert on guitar. Upbeat songs and much-loved rock classics in a highly-anticipated performance.
https://toyahandrobert.com/

Nile Rodgers & CHIC
Thursday’s headline set is from Nile Rodgers, multiple Grammy Award winning songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist.
http://www.nilerodgers.com/

Friday 11 August 2023 (12 noon – 12 midnight)

Joshua Burnell & Band
Joshua’s debut at Cropredy. Joshua and his band present dynamic retro pop-infused folk while keeping a sharp focus on traditional themes.
www.joshuaburnell.co.uk

Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri
Kiki Dee, one of Britain’s greatest singers, and guitar legend Carmelo Luggeri are one of the UK’s great musical pairings. Kiki's stunning vocals are backed by Carmelo’s beautiful acoustic arrangements.
https://www.kikiandcarmelo.com/

Peat & Diesel
This rocking Stornaway trio takes audiences to the heart of the Western Isles. After selling out Glasgow’s Barrowlands in one day this band is going from strength to strength.
https://www.peatanddiesel.band/

Easy Star All-Stars
American reggae band Easy Star All-Stars last appeared at Cropredy in 2010. This year sees them back to re-imagine Bowie’s classic album as ‘Ziggy Stardub,' a mix of reggae, dub, and indie rock.
https://easystar.com/

Richie Owens and The Farm Bureau
A cousin of Dolly Parton (he plays in her touring band ) Richie Owens is a fifth generation Smoky Mountains musician with musical roots stretching back to the American civil war.
https://richieowensandthefarmbureau.com/

Strawbs (UK farewell performance)
Strawbs is one of folkrock’s most enduring acts. Although founder member Dave Cousins is retiring from live performance due to health issues he will re-unite at Cropredy with Strawbs members past and present for his last major UK show.
https://www.strawbsweb.co.uk

Fisherman’s Friends
The shanty tradition and wonderful harmony singing are stock in trade for this renowned Cornish vocal group which enjoys international acclaim.
https://thefishermansfriends.com/

10cc
To headline Friday night Cropredy sees a welcomes return by 10cc, one of the most inventive and influential groups in British popular music. The band’s longevity is a testament to their superb musicianship and repertoire of timeless chart hits.
https://www.10cc.world

Saturday 12 August 2023 (12 noon – 12 midnight)

Richard Digance
After a year off, BAFTA nominee Richard returns to his traditional and very popular Cropredy lunchtime slot
https://www.richarddigance.com

Morganway
Six-part harmonies and instrumental prowess from this leading UK Americana band whose repertoire blends 70s West Coast, classic rock, and rootsy country into a formidable mix.
https://www.morganway.co.uk/

Beans on Toast
A real festival favourite, Beans on Toast brings a DIY approach to folksong and contemporary concerns. Self-described as a hippy, a punk, a poet, and a romantic, he writes simple songs that tackle big issues.
www.beansontoastmusic.com

Solstice
Mixing folkrock and neo-prog, eight-piece Solstice features passionate female vocals, soaring violin, weaving guitar, and driving complex rhythms.
http://www.solsticehome.uk 

The Young 'uns
With three BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards to their name, this exciting Teesside trio combines acapella song, memorable melody, and strong storytelling in folk song for today.
https://www.theyounguns.co.uk/

Gilbert O’Sullivan
UK and US chart-topper, Irish singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan mixes a huge back catalogue of tuneful and thought-provoking songs with new material from his latest album ‘Driven’.
www.gilbertosullivan.co.uk/

Fairport Convention and guests
Saturday headliners Fairport Convention take the stage for their traditional three-hour- show.
http://www.fairportconvention.com/

QUOTES:

"Cropredy is as much a British summer institution as Wimbledon"

The Guardian

"A great way to while away an August weekend"

The Sunday Times

"Chilled-out vibe and great music"

The Sun

"The perfect festival ... lovely people of all ages and all types with terrific music"

Daily Mail

"Probably the most reliably blissful summer entertainment Britain can offer"

Financial Times

"Multi-generational outing marinated in late sixties good vibes"

Daily Telegraph