10th: Grace LBT
Wiltshire-based alternative / indie singer-songwriter Grace LBT composes relatable and melancholic songs for anyone and everyone, mainly using soft acoustic guitar mixes and vocals in her songs in contrast to her lyrics. She views music as a form of therapy, and wants to show how meaningful and helpful music can be for supporting mental health.
17th: M3G
M3G is a indie folk singer songwriter from Chippenham. Her music mixes authentic lyrics with soaring vocals. Recently supporting the likes of Frank Turner, Jools Holland, and Gaz Brookfield. Described as 'Beautiful and Captivating' by a local music magazine, she brings a unique perspective and humour to the stage.
24th: HUSHWING
Hushwing is a band rooted in a shared love for travel, the outdoors, and each other. With lyrical echoes of Bon Iver and Hozier, the cozy, intimate production style of Flyte, and the melodic warmth reminiscent of Eva Cassidy, HUSHWING crafts a delicate blend of folk, alternative-indie, and pop. Their sound is an open invitation—like a road trip through love, self-discovery, and the quiet beauty of everyday life.
31st: Tawanda Mapanda
Tawanda is a dynamic musician and performer born and raised in Zimbabwe, whose artistry seamlessly bridges traditional African music with contemporary sounds. His musical versatility extends to Western instruments as well, including the saxophone , allowing him to create a unique fusion of sounds that resonate with diverse audiences globally.
JUNE
7th: Bluebeard
For Bluebeard, AKA, Dave Turner, it's all about the song. As a piano singer-songwriter, he crafts timeless melodic tunes; sometimes intimate, sometimes raucous but always lyrically interesting and engaging.
14th: The Ivy Green
The Ivy Green is a creative project from Swindon-based folk singers and musicians Chantelle Smith and Jessie Thompson, where they have been arranging, recording and performing the songs collected by Swindon's own folk song collector, Alfred Williams. As well as performing the songs live, they have also made video field recordings (available on their YouTube channel) of them performing the songs in locations associated with the source singers Alfred Williams collected from. Jessie and Chantelle hope that performing these songs again, and telling a little about the source singers as well as Alfred Williams, they can bring the songs back to the communities in the Upper Thames Valley they originally came from.
21st: Canute’s Plastic Army
Canute’s Plastic Army is a four-piece band from Swindon. Featured twice on BBC Introducing in the West, we have performed across local venues and stages for approximately 10 years. Our musical style is rooted in folk but has influences from ambient soundscapes and the blues. Our live performances have been described by Divizine as “unmissable”. We incorporate vocals, guitar, cello and percussion and occasionally use a looper to build immersive environments that hold audiences’ attention and evoke strong emotional connections. Canute’s production is a unique twist on folk, not to be missed.
28th: Deadlight Dance
Fusing six decades of influence, the music of Deadlight Dance serves up empathy, poetic rage and a celebration of otherness - a recipe that has so far enticed listeners in more than 75 countries. In these dark times, in the uneven terrain of popular culture, Deadlight Dance walk with proud purpose towards the setting sun, proffering refuge in the long shadows that they cast. And when the sky fades to black, they’ll burn a torch to guide your lost soul home.
JULY
5th: Shedric
Shedric is a distinctive voice on the local music scene — an artist who doesn’t fit neatly into any one genre. Blending elements of folk, blues, and acoustic music, his intricate guitar work and strong songwriting give him a sound that’s entirely his own. Known for his detailed fingerstyle playing and thoughtful, often unpredictable songs, Shedric has built a reputation as someone you won’t come across twice. His music shifts naturally between quieter, reflective moments and more driving, rhythmic sections, keeping audiences hooked from start to finish.
11th: Steam & Cream Teas, Day 1 - Mr Love and Justice
Our annual event over two days with steam engines and other vintage agricultural equipment, plus stalls and live music.
Mr Love & Justice is a Swindon-based acoustic folk/pop and rock collective led by singer-songwriter Steve Cox, with a distinctly English contemporary take on the west coast crossover sounds of the late 60s.
12th: Steam & Cream Teas, Day 2 - Unearthed (2pm) & The Blind Tomorrow (3.30pm)
Unearthed are an instrumental folk duo based in Gloucestershire, the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean. They perform a mixture of traditional, contemporary and original folk music on recorder and guitar. John has been playing music all of his life, and folk music for much of that time. He is known for playing either quickly or too quickly, depending on who you ask. Nathan is a familiar figure in the Cheltenham music scene. Multi-instrumentalist, music teacher at The Music Junction, and co-owner of Cotswold Strings.
The Blind Tomorrow is a Swindon-based four-piece rock band, who enjoy playing covers and original music, influenced by Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Oasis, and the Foo Fighters.
19th: Bob Bowles
Bob is known throughout the South West and beyond for his bluesy guitar playing and soulful voice. Bob writes and performs his own songs and classic covers of genres like blues, soul, gospel, rhythm and blues, rock and funk.
26th: Student showcase with Nat Adams
Nat Adams has been coaching for 10 years this year (and performing for 38!) - this is her fourth student showcase at the Richard Jefferies Museum. The event gives students the opportunity to sing live for friends and family and show what they are working on in lessons, be it audition prep, exams or just for fun! It is a confidence-building event and we have had some wonderful feedback in past years. There will also be a performance given by a newly-formed quartet, Voci dei amici, who have recently won their first class at a music festival! As Nat says: \"We are so excited to have the opportunity to sing in the beautiful gardens of the Richard Jefferies Museum again this year, and hope to see as many people as possible!\"
AUGUST
2nd: Strungout Ukuleles
Strungout Ukuleles are a fun local band playing upbeat hits from the 60s and 70s - songs we all know and love. The band have entertained at fairs and festivals, promotional events, pubs and parties. Their tunes are sure to put a smile on your face and get your toes tapping... we hope you'll join in the singing, we're sure you'll know the words!
9th: JP Oldfield
JP Oldfield is a rising figure on the UK indie-blues circuit who channels the atmosphere of old juke joints and Victorian oddities into compact, theatrical roots songs. Based in Wiltshire, he walks a line between melancholic blues and dark vaudeville using unconventional stage flourishes and instrumentation to give familiar forms an unsettling, modern spin. Reviewers note his quick wit, deep baritone voice and inventive approach to the guitar.
16th: Rachael Birkin & friends
Rachel invites you to an afternoon of solos, duos and trios performed by herself and two friends, Wren Foster and Jason Hull, who regularly play in folk sessions together. There will be an eclectic mix of music, from traditional to modern folk tunes, and even possibly some classical melodies. Their music includes a mandolin, bouzouki, guitar, flutes, violin and last but not least, a viola!
23rd: Richard Wileman and Amy Fry
Swindon composer & songwriter Richard is joined by long time collaborator Amy Fry on vocals, clarinet & saxophone. Richard releases gothic, cosmic, prog, folk, lounge songs, and instrumentals with his Karda Estra project and more recently, his solo albums plus collaborations with Matt Baber (Sanguine Hum) and Kavus Torabi (Gong).
30th: Two Monkeydolls
Two Monkeydolls is a new incarnation of the three-piece Monkeydolls that has been going for over 20 years. Since going as a duo, Paul and Sean are entertaining with all the classic covers from pop and rock across the years blending that acoustic and electric sound to produce a duo that’ll have you singing and dancing along to all the classics.
6th: Jasmine Grace