The last of our multi-part previews of Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2024 sees us zoom in on the final three acts on the bill (save for one notable exception….)

We are huge supporters of Fairport’s Cropredy Convention. The annual event is one of the great British festivals. There are many reasons why this is so. To get a flavour of the festival, check out our reasons why it is one of the best, here.

The festival has been taking place for the best part of 50 years and we hope that there are many years of life left in the old feller yet. One thing’s for certain, as long as there is a Cropredy Festival, At The Barrier will be there to absorb, report and – most importantly, enjoy the event. It’s a musical highlight of the year.

However, with the constraints of the world being felt, the UK festival industry is finding life tough. The expenses involved in organising and running a festival are vast and many festivals have sadly folded. Fairport Convention haven’t had to do this, and they won’t – provided that they continue to attract lovers of great music in sufficient numbers.

Fairport co-founder, Simon Nicol, recently shared a message about the potential plight of Fairport’s Cropredy Convention in the future. You can read the full message here. Please take the time to read his vital message.

Here, we will take a look at some of the artists who will be treading the boards at ‘The Friendliest Music Festival in the Country’. In the meantime, look out for more previews from us in the build up to the festival. To secure your ticket, you can click here.

Next up, we put three more acts in the spotlight. You can read part one of our preview here and part two is here. To read part three, click here, and for part four click here. If you missed part five, click here.

RICK WAKEMAN & THE ENGLISH ROCK ENSEMBLE

The Thursday night highlight spot has been enjoyed by many a top class act. The Waterboys, Madness, The Divine Comedy, Trevor Horn and even Brian Wilson have been enthused by the joyful spirit that the long awaited  first night at Cropredy brings. Last year everyone boogied to Nile Rogers & Chic. This year the atmosphere couldn’t be a greater contrast – that’s the beauty of Cropredy.

The ambience might be different but the spectacular will still be there. Rick Wakeman’s keyboard mastery will waft over the gathered throng. Lovers of  classic prog rock will be in raptures.

Even those  who might be tempted to ‘take an early bath’ ought to give the live experience of seeing Rick Wakeman a chance. He has certainly not lost his touch with the release of several highly listenable and enchanting new albums in recent years. These add to his all time greats in Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, The Myths & Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table and Six Wives Of Henry VIII classics. 

From the early Yes days, he has always been as much the entertainer as the impresario. Whatever he chooses to focus on that first night, it’s guaranteed to be special. 

Word is that we’ll be getting Journey and some Yes, but for a collection of wonderfully played classic Wakeman material played by his current band, check out the Live At The London Palladium album.

Cropredy, for me, is the most stressful three days of the year, but for all the right reasons! We can’t let down our wonderful audience who have stuck with us all these years, through thick and thin. Our relationship with them is very special, and we don’t take it for granted. I wish the whole world could be like Cropredy – inclusive rather than exclusive, whatever race, colour, religion, or sexuality – all are welcome and loved.

Ric Sanders, Fairport Convention. June 2024.

ELLES BAILEY

A regular on our pages (check out Shining In The Half Light while we await the new album…) and an energetic and thrilling live performer – last seen by the ATB team at the 2023 Underneath The Stars festival – Elles Bailey is a smart addition to the Blues rockers who have their own little sub-genre at Cropredy this year. With the excellent Demi Mariner (check out her own The Things We Didn’t Say album – our review), as part of a crack band and hopefully decked out in the same sequinned jumpsuit from UTSf, just hope the sun doesn’t shine too brightly or those at the barrier might needs sunglasses to deflect the dazzle from the costumes as well as the music!

Preceded by a handful of singles, her new album Beneath The Neon Glow is out on 9th August. Pretty good timing to coincide with her Friday (9th August…) set! A tour follows. There are dates around the UK from September to December. Elles’ appearance at Cropredy will no doubt have new fans dashing to the box offices to catch another shot of Bailey blues.

It is the culmination of the Fairport year, and also of many decades of coming together at Cropredy to celebrate the joy and healing power of music the Fairport way. There is a great line up over three days. You will have such a good  time in a beautiful part of North Oxfordshire, and be part of a unique celebration of really good music…

Chris Leslie. Fairport Convention. June 2024.

THE ZAC SCHULZE GANG

The Zac Schulze Gang have built their reputation fast. Formed in Gillingham, Kent, in 2020; their hard hitting blues rock has seen them wow audiences up and down the land. Cropredy is the perfect stage for this three piece to win over yet more fans. There is plenty to keep the prog fans happy at this years festival. Fans of blues rock, fear not.

The trio, currently on tour with Samantha Fish in the US, will be a well oiled machine as they hit Cropredy. If you like your blues licks in the style of Rory Gallagher and Stevie Ray Vaughan, there will be no disappointed here. If you check out Hole In My Pocket, you will see what we mean. There is also the bands’ salute to the great Rory Gallagher in Ballyshannon Blues. The playing from Zac Shulze is fiery. Their backbone consists of bassist/vocalist Ant Greenwell and Zac’s brother & drummer/vocalist Ben Schulze. This three piece are sure to sort the Cropredy crowd out.

So, three more acts we can’t wait to see at Fairport’s Cropredy Convention. For a great weekend of music, fun, revelry, community and guaranteed good times, you can get your ticket here. If you are a first timer and wondering what it is like at the festival, check out our First Timer’s Guide written by Fairport Convention themselves! You can find that here.

Check out our Spotify playlist of artists appearing at Fairport’s Cropredy Convention below.

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