True English originals* Spiro headline at Once Upon a Hill, Kelston Records’ first ever day through to night musical event at The Old Barn, Kelston Roundhill on Saturday 5th August.
Spiro
“Spiro are like Detroit techno played by a travelling band out of a Hardy novel – or Steve Reich playing the cider-scented backroom of a village pub. Intense and minimal, they roll out complex arrangements with such ease that you feel your heart lift a few inches above its normal resting place” **** The Word
Dakhla Brass
Dakhla Brass weave glittering brass threads of saxophone, trumpet and trombone into intricate musical tapestries like no other band. Propelled by restless percussion, theirs is ‘not exactly’ music – not exactly jazz, not exactly brass band or second-line Mardi Gras…yet it draws on all of that and more.
As Jamie Cullum says: “A very modern sound of jazz coming from the UK that makes it stand out from everywhere else. A band doing great things right now.”
The Nightjar
Drawing influence from the lo-fi wooze of Grouper, the stark and poignant balladry of Diane Cluck and the deft compositions of Colleen, The Nightjar use close-harmonies, tight-interlocking guitars, deep bass and an intense lead vocal to paint fragile, haunting landscapes.
“Mesmerising in live performance” – fRoots Magazine
“A difficult group of a rare, unique beauty… toweringly intellectual yet blessed with a haunting fragility” – Louder Than War
Doors open at 2 pm.
Apart from the main stage performances, there will be fringe musical interludes, non-musical diversions, all day food, a cash bar and uninterrupted views across the Avon valley to the last folds of the Cotswolds. Anyone wishing to camp overnight for free may do so by prior arrangement.