I Hope You Don’t Mind Me Writing charted at number 12 in the Official Top 40 Album Chart on release in January 2017. The album, the second under her own label – CTRL Records – was described as ‘a triumph’ by The Sun.

 More than 12,000 tickets sold for Spraggan’s Dear You tour and the summer season continues with shows confirmed at some of the UK’s biggest festivals. Recognised as one of the leading lights in the LGBT community, Spraggan has managed to build her fanbase to a new high.

Lucy appeared on the X Factor in 2012, since then her audition video has been viewed more than 40 million times. She achieved the unprecedented success of securing a top 20 single (Last Night) and top 40 album (Top Room at the Zoo) while still competing on the TV show. She went on to be the officially most Googled musician of 2012.

Lucy immediately signed to Columbia and her debut album Join the Club was a top-ten success. Her next record We Are was released on her own label, after Spraggan opted to take the independent route. The album just missed out on a top twenty position.

Lucy’s music-writing career began with Don Maclean and Kirsty McColl as her major influences, embellished with the folk riffs of Peter, Paul and Mary, and taking on the punchy riffs of traditional R and B.

Her name is now synonymous a melodic middle ground where pop and acoustic folk meet. The toe-tapping interpretations of classic sounds and the harmony-heavy ballads that she pulls from modern rhythm and blues are hard to forget. Spraggan’s trademark sound is the rattle of rap dropped into sing-along folk-style numbers.

After releasing four albums in five years Lucy is probably due a rest, but the writing process is already underway for album number 5. Her live calendar is looking busier than ever too with another tour planned for the Autumn. Watch this space!

First of two Sets Today

Hailing from Liphook, Hampshire, EMMAY are a sibling trio consisting of Aimée Mackenzie on electro-acoustic guitars, keyboards and lead vocals, Freya Mackenzie on acoustic violin, electro-acoustic ukulele and harmonies and Ross Mackenzie on Cajon.

The trio have supported Nizlopi, Show of Hands, Sean Lakeman/Kathryn Roberts, Blair Dunlop, Luke Jackson, Miranda Sykes/Rex Preston, Sheelanagig, Phillip Henry/Hannah Martin, Josienne Clarke/Ben Walker, Dave McPherson and Rod Picott.

Notable venues that EMMAY have performed at include Isle Of Wight Festival, Show of Hands Summer Festival (Abbotsbury), Cornbury Festival, Victorious Festival, Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, Wychwood Festival, Weyfest, The Bedford (Balham), The Troubadour (Earls Court), Water Rats (Camden), Wedgewood Rooms (Portsmouth)

An outstanding BBC Introducing panel review of "Lesson Learned", one of EMMAY's self-penned songs, resulted in an invitation to record a session for the BBC which was broadcast live right across the South of England.

Quotes

"Songwriting and musicianship of the highest calibre and harmonising together as only siblings can. Just about the best young English acoustic band I?ve heard" - Steve Knightley (Show of Hands)

"EMMAY an impossibly young-looking folk trio of siblings, took to the stage to deliver, an enchanting set full of nagging hooks and charming harmonies, with the likes of We Once Said, Nests and a surprising cover of Ride by 21 Pilots (complete with rapping) all impressing, making a mockery of their tender years." - Wychwood Festival

"EMMAY are undoubtedly hugely talented folk and acoustic musicians. They performed at the Southdowns Folk Festival in Bognor Regis in September 2013 and literally brought the house down. They deservedly won the Sussex Young Folk Performers Competition and then went on later to wow the audience at the Alexandra Theatre, receiving as well fantastic praise from Steve Knightley from Show of Hands who were headlining that night. Their music is fresh, original and performed with great skill and competence - they will go a long way" - Roger Nash - Southdowns Folk Festival

"Hailing from Liphook is the vocal prowess, lyrical genius and sheer musicality of EMMAY" - Haslemere Fringe Festival

The Charcoal Burners are a barnstorming modern folk fusion band playing an intoxicating blend of original songs with a fast and furious mixture of new and traditional tunes. Lead singer David O’Brien has been writing and performing since the early 1980’s touring with Hazel O’Connor, recording with Ray Dorset of Mungo Gerry, even replacing Duran Duran on Hazel’s last gig of the Breaking Glass tour. The Charcoal Burners formed in 2016 with Steve Redshaw and Martin Ruinet, two highly talented folk musicians from Sussex and Art Gelling on bass and cajon.

The Charcoal Burner’s set is fast, foot tapping and infectiously catchy with songs such as ‘Life of Riley’, ‘Free ‘n Easy’, ‘The Devil Rides’ and ‘Working on the Railroad’ to moving ballads such as ‘Don’t Let it Rain’ and ‘Seagull’. With rhythm that will have your legs itching to dance, The Charcoal Burners’ soaring four part harmony will make your spine tingle

Following a busy couple of years which saw UK singer and songwriter SERTARI chart in Europe and win the Akademia “Singer/Songwriter” Award for her Unplugged EP, she has now finished her new EP – “Bright Star” which features Grammy award winner J- Ivy. After returning from a tour of Cyprus, she is now filling up her diary with festival performances and has reached the FINAL of the Soundwaves competition and will be performing at the O2 academy.

Sertari is a singer, songwriter and artist with a passion for both creating music and live performance. Born in the UK to a Cypriot family, she was brought up in a quiet town where the closest thing to the Mediterranean is Costa Coffee. With a range of musical influences from Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin and Kate Bush to Avici, Gwen Stefani, Coldplay, Florence and the Machines she uses the stage as an outlet and has consistently shown the ambition to develop her own unique blend of emotive electro pop-rock with beautiful yet powerful vocals, driving guitars, atmospheric synths and big beats. She started off by setting up her own label, and running her own live music nights on the South Coast to promote independent talent, as well as promote her own music! As a result of her drive, she has already achieved much self-propelled success, with worldwide releases, press, TV and radio exposure behind her – including being played out on BBC Introducing and being selected for playlists on UK and international radio. She has recently been given an endorsement by Vocalzones To coincide with the release of her new EP “Bright Star,” she will soon be embarking on a series of live shows in the UK and Europe. Her live show has earned a reputation among audiences in several countries for it’s high energy levels, and amongst a multitude of past performances include the London Olympic Fan Zones, Hard Rock Cafe Cyprus and London Fashion Week – whilst her personal favourite (and most rock’n’roll story) comes from her headline televised show in the Cyprus Capital, Nicosia, on New Years Eve to thousands of people. She has caught the eye of brands world-wide, becoming and Akai Pro and Abelton Artist, whilst working closely with local music stores to promote music to the younger generations. In the past she has released singles and taken part in events to support charities such as Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital and the Fire Fighters Charity, whilst a charity single in the USA to aid education to under-funded communities was a great success. Sertari has been lucky enough to have worked and performed with a variety of producers and artists, and is currently working with the likes of Adrian Hall from Z- Management (Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys), Grammy Winner J-Ivy (Jay-Z, Kanye West), and Pete Craigie (Take That, Beverley Knight, Stevie Wonder). Further to her Akademia Award for she was also a previous nominee for “Best Live Act” and “Best Song” at the Exposure Music Awards, and Winner of the Extreme Exposure Award in the UK Open Mic Finals.

Mack Hofberg knows neither how to sing, nor to play guitar. Yet does both beautifully. Completely throwing out the rule book on the standard Acoustic Singer/Songwriter, Mack’s music combines folk and pop, whilst his lyrics convey poetry beyond the depth of most ordinary 21 year olds and percussive acoustic guitar style rivals that of his idol Andy McKee.

Mack is just 21 years old. After gigging for just over 5 years, he’s had the honour of performing at many established venues notably Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth, The Joiners in Southampton (voted NME’s best small venue of 2013), The Bedford in Balham, The Railway in Winchester, The Garage in London and even Heathrow Airport for Caffe Nero. Though one his crowning achievements was to have been picked as one of 2000 entries to perform in the Lord Mayors Busking Competition, where he played at The O2 and Westfield Shepherds Bush. Moreover, after submitting one of his tracks to BBC Introducing he was aired on BBC Radio 3 and has been interviewed on local radio at Southampton’s own Voice FM. All this and he’s not even old enough to buy a beer in the States.

Testimonials

If you can’t afford Ben Howard, this will do nicely

— Paul Simms (Mo Films, Head of Music)

To make it in this business you have to be hungry, Mack is voracious

— Tony Moore (Cutting Crew/Iron Maiden/Musical Director at The Bedford)

I’d happily give’em a tour

— Paul ‘Pablo’ Ettinger (Caffe Nero, Development Director)

Personal Bio

Mack was born in New York City, and after only two years he moved to England where we learnt his love for music. Born to a Music Lawyer and a Writer he was destined for a career as a musician.

His American heritage is deeply rooted in his writing having grown up listening to his mother’s favourites, the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel (who was Mack’s favourite before he could speak, let alone sing).  However, like most writers his father was keen to leave his creative stamp, playing him English classics like The Clash, Sex Pistols, Rolling Stones and The Beatles, whom Mack considers, somewhat un-controversially to be the best band of all time.

Growing up Mack admired his older sister, who before him, took up singing and guitar, though retired just as quickly. But her passion as a listener rubbed off on Mack, and ultimately her love of music and her job A&Ring acoustic music would lead Mack to perform the music he does today. He now has his little brother as a qualified audio engineer to ensure sweet sounds when he’s performing live music on the road.

Chilli Con Keeler are a brand new local based band bursting with youthful energy. Their unique brand of new wave influenced funk is guaranteed to put a smile on every face.  They will be playing music from their recent Surrey Uni studio sessions.

Chilli Con Keeler – Soundcloud

Claudia Stark is a 24 year old indie-folk artist currently residing in Surrey, who has been inspiring audiences for over 4 years with her thought provoking songs. Her snappy, socially swayed lyrics bring issues to mind that cut to the heart of the jaded person within all of us.
Becoming increasingly aware of the struggles and injustices faced by those around her, Claudia first picked up a guitar in an attempt to have her opinions heard and after receiving notable support at her early shows, she began to see the reach she could have with her music.
2017 saw Claudia’s second headline launch show with her band at The Boileroom in Guildford where she launched her brand new single ‘Too Soon’. She is now concentrating on writing new songs for her 3rd EP set for a summer 2018 release and, having played over 300 live shows to date, Claudia is working towards her first UK tour.

Claudia has been described as performing “with a ton of guts, passion, and at times brutal intensity” (The Musical Melting Pot) which is entirely in keeping with the fierce subjects of which she writes. She would sit well in a record collection containing the likes of Frank Turner, Suzanne Vega and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

Lindsay plays acoustic covers and original songs in her own unique style. She has a distinctive voice that combines a simple purity with subtle folky tones complimented by her acoustic guitar playing. She cut her teeth musically busking in Canterbury when she was a student, performing at open mike nights and private events.  Last summer, she headlined a night at Farnham Maltings as part of their Grills & Guitars season. She recently played by special invitation at a new London Venue – the Hackney Empire Studios and is planning to do more gigs in the South East in the coming months.

The Ukeaholics have spent the last five years filling festival stages, village halls and pubs with their entertaining brand of ukulele twisted pop covers.  Don’t expect George Formby, do expect the unexpected.  Six people, twenty-four strings, one great time.

Alice is a teenage musician, singer and songwriter from Hampshire, who’s musical style is Jazz/Pop. She plays the Piano, Guitar and Ukulele, and takes her inspiration from artists such as Corinne Bailey Rae, Amy Winehouse, Norah Jones and Duffy. She has been performing locally for the past 4 years at pubs and cafes, as well as summer festivals including Victorious and Wickham. She is currently studying the Vocals Diploma at The Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford.