Friday
Beacon Stage
Kioko
KIOKO are a Birmingham based band on the rise, known for their infectious grooves and electric live performances. The band’s quality pop sound is heavily influenced by their love of reggae, Jamaican and Caribbean music.
Their use of close harmonies and hard riddim captivates every audience they perform too. BBC Introducing and legend David Rodigan have been championing KIOKO across the radio waves regionally and nationally.
Be sure to attend a KIOKO show, on end you see them you will want to be part of the tribe.
Belladonna Lilies
Born as a punk covers band to exercise the calcified fingers and vocal cords of a group of gentlemen has-beens, Belladonna Lilies have evolved away from performing other peoples material into creative song writing. Having played only a handful of live shows before the pandemic BL have spent the last 2 years recording and songwriting. Influences include post punk artists such as PIL, Bauhaus and Nick Cave with roots in punk icons the Sex Pistols and Dead Kennedy’s. Belladonna Lilies are a 5 piece band from High Wycombe, Watlington and Wallingford.
Jody & The Jerms
Warm fuzzy guitar pop laced with bittersweet promises of new romance and new beginnings around the corner. Formed in Oxford in the Summer of 2019, Jody and the Jerms have been writing, recording and playing their blend of melodic and uplifting indie/alt rock ever since - with support from the likes of Mark Radcliffe on 6 Music and a Janice Long session in December 2021.
Boxset
Red-hot rock dance tunes with harmony drenched vocals - BoxSet have played festivals all over Britain, mainland Europe and America.
They will be joined on stage by Drumclub. A group of young, talented drummers who have played Madejski Stadium and appeared on ITV news and the EE mobile phone advert.
Saturday
Magic Queen Tribute- ‘headline act’
Magic Queen re-enacts the glorious days of legendary rock band Queen, including the craziness of the 70’s and the magic of the 80’s, proving themselves to be one the most dynamic and exciting Queen tribute band currently touring and concentrating in sounding like the original artists, delivering a 200% of entertainment in every single show, interacting with the audience to make them live a magical experience.
Magic Queen succeeds in blending the vocal layering and studio precision, one of the trademarks of Queen, with the energy of a live stage production. Elaborate performances, effects and costumes aptly frame the seasoned musicians who step into these very large shoes to effectively render an authentic "Queen experience".
Ska Souls UK
"Skasouls UK are a 7-piece Ska band from Bucks that formed in 2010. Since originating they have built a very strong following and reputation, featuring in The Top 40 Reggae Charts and BBC Radio 2, alongside other major radio stations. They hold an impressive 5 out of 5-star rating from over 300 performances.
Skasouls UK play an eclectic genre of music from Ska, Reggae, Trojan and Two-tone, performing global music covers from the likes of Madness, The Specials, Bad Manners and The Selector, which have helped to inspire their own singles which can be heard and downloaded from Spotify & Apple Music.
The Fontanas
The Fontanas are fast becoming the rising stars of the Tropical Latin sound.
The Fontanas release their new album this summer. The band have been cementing their London status, with sell out gigs at Rich Mix and Bush Hall + a series of high energy barn-storming festival appearances at Glastonbury, Bestival, Lovebox and beyond. Their sound has that high energy feel good factor ‘like carnival has come early’.
Their unique brand of funky Latin soul has won them fans with airtime on:
BBC Radio 1, BBC 1 Xtra & BBC 6Music.
‘Seriously funky' Craig Charles – BBC6 Music.
John Otway
On Saturday 2 April 2022 the irrepressible and eccentric John Otway will reach the truly momentous milestone of 5,000 one-nighters when he appears at Shepherd’s Bush Empire with his band. Despite revelling in the self-given title of Rock n’ Roll’s greatest failure, Otway truly deserves national treasure status. Alongside this frankly ridiculous number of live shows Otway has managed 2 top 20 hit singles, collaborated with The Who’s Pete Townsend and been featured in an internationally released feature film about his life. He has sold out The Royal Albert Hall, written two published autobiographies and acted in TV series and adverts.
He has been performing since his schooldays and really came to national attention with a memorable (and very painful) 1977 appearance on the Old Grey Whistle Test. He has now been touring his legendary live shows which display a wanton disregard for his own safety, solo, with his band and sometimes with on/off/on again collaborator Wild Willy Barrett for half a century and is showing no signs of letting up!
ProgFloyd
ProgFloyd are a fourpiece made up from devoted fans of progressive rock and bring you music from the legendary Pink Floyd covering songs from the Dark Side of the Moon. Wish you were Here and the Wall albums. Paying close attention to recreating the distinctive sounds and feel of the music they deliver a big sound. ProgFloyd are based in Thame, and perform at local festivals and venues.
Basscraft
"Take an extra-Galactic journey through Funk’s past, present and future with Oxford’s Basscraft. The band combines tight grooves, jazz-honed musicality, and soulful vocals, while remaining deeply inspired by the pioneers of Funk. Blending addictive
hooks with curated beats, Basscraft serves up authentic contemporary Funk – piping
hot. Expect to sweat!"
Banshi
Formed in 2018, Cardiff’s answer to the likes of Blondie and Fleetwood Mac. Playing to vast audiences at venues such as Cardiff Castle and Tramshed, the band fuses 70s rock with a modern edge; allowing their audience to capture the energy from upbeat songs like Lovers and experience the emotional ambience of Sunflower. With a strong focus on hefty grooves from drummer Ellie Strong, the rhythm section provides a mighty foundation for guitarist Jac Kelshaw to express dominant guitar riffs and chords. Meanwhile, Yasmine Davies on vocals takes inspiration from Joni Mitchell and Stevie Nicks to display a powerful range and tone to her voice, which captures the attention of the room. With 2022 in full swing, soon to begin releasing their long-awaited singles and are ecstatic to see what the future holds.
2am Blue
2am Blue are a local Acoustic Rock band who play a heady mix of their own songs and covers that they love playing, everything from The Counting Crows to Bruce Springsteen.
Formed by Johnnie Littler and Jim Greenhough and now including Nick Dutton on lead guitar, Pete Sherman on Bass and drummer Phil Heard, 2am Blue have become one of the areas most popular live bands. Don’t miss this set.
Bitterroot
The band first got together about ten years ago as a country blues outfit and is now a well-known name on the home counties gig circuit. The four piece line-up includes mandola and lap steel guitars as well as bass and drums, creating a very wide range of sounds. It’s dynamic Americana- inspired music for the heart and feet.
Thanx
Band members Richard, Caroline and Thea initially played together as a social pastime which soon led to a number of live performances. Since 2017 Thanx have been the house band at the regular DAFT events at Wycombe Arts Centre and have played a number of festivals over recent years. Their blend of folk inspired acoustic music seeks to re-imagine classic songs both recent and from the past.