Once again, we teamed up once again with What’s On to bring you some of the best up and coming performers at The Launchpad on The Purity Village Stage.
The Ashen Keys
The Ashen Keys is a multi-instrumental, multi voiced celebration of heartfelt story telling heralding from East Kent. The group brings together three musicians – Rachel Lowrie (voice, guitar, ukulele and clarinet), Hannah Ellerby (voice, violin, oboe and ukulele) and Vicky Price (voice, French horn, accordion) – and their sound tells of influences from folk, blues, pop, classical and even early music. Expect to be taken on a journey through dark folk tales, bittersweet love stories and reveries on nature, all with lashings of vocal harmonies and unique instrumentation.
Facebook: TheAshenKeys | Instagram: theashenkeys | YouTube: TheAshenKeys
Alex Lord
Alex is a fiddle player and guitarist based in Lancashire. Music is deeply rooted in his family, with his uncle Phil Beer being a stimulus for picking up the fiddle. He honed his skills as a three-year National Youth Folk Ensemble member led by Sam Sweeney and has since been nominated for the BBC Young Folk Awards with his band ‘Don’t Feed the Peacocks’. Alex plays tunes and songs from around the British Isles with his own unique interpretation and arrangements.
Facebook: alexlordmusic
Susy Wall
Welsh born but West Midlands based Susy strives to write honest songs that tell the ordinary story, often inspired by the everyday moments that often go unnoticed. Heavily influenced by songwriters such as Laura Marling, Norah Jones, Simon & Garfunkel, Boo Hewerdine and First Aid Kit, she’s currently working on material for her first album.
Facebook: SusyWallMusic | Instagram: susywallmusic | Website: susywallmusic.co.uk
Festival director Sandra Surtees: “Every year we are astounded at the wealth of talent that we uncover for The Launchpad. Previous performers have gone on to release albums, secure an agent, get UK and international gigs and much more.
“For many of the performers, appearing on The Launchpad will be the first time they’ve had the opportunity to take part in a major festival like ours. It’s good experience and the chance to reach a new audience.”
Davina Evans, Managing Director of What’s On, said: “We were inundated this year with applications from incredible musicians which made it very hard selecting just three. But we feel that the three we’ve selected reflect the festival very well with some Americana, folk and a singer songwriter. We’re delighted to be supporting The Launchpad again and giving a platform to these artists.”