Fairport’s Cropredy Convention takes place, as ever, on the second weekend of August. Here is a little Q&A with Bob Fox who takes to the stage on Saturday night with Billy Mitchell in the slot just before headliners Fairport Convention play their set.
BOB FOX & BILLY MITCHELL
Two Geordie musicians who form part of the very fabric of Cropredy Festival. Bob Fox made his first Cropredy appearance way back in 1982, along with erstwhile partner Stu Luckley. He’s since appeared on the Cropredy stage in numerous guises – as a solo artist, band member, even as compere for a few years during the early noughties. Currently, he’s working with the mighty Home Service, having earned his stripes by pulling off the almost impossible task of replacing John Tams as that band’s frontman. Bob’s repertoire is packed with fantastic songs – Sally Wheatley, Big River, The Rambling Rover, The Galway Shawl for starters – and we’re sure that several of those old favourites will make a welcome appearance during this duo’s Cropredy spot.
Ahead of his pre-Fairport set, Bob takes on our Crop ’25 Q&A:
Cropredy is a festival with a long history and iconic status. What sets it apart from other festivals and what does it mean to you to play there?
I first played at Cropredy in 1978 and 1982 with Stu Luckley, in 1994 with The Vin Garbutt Band, then solo in 2000 after I was Special Guest on the Wood And The Wire Tour. It had grown substantially but still felt like a family affair with a great atmosphere, I played again in 2002 solo , 2003 with The Hush, 2005 solo and then 2007 with Billy Mitchell.
Billy has also been an artist many times at Cropredy as Maxie and Mitch, Lindisfarne and in a duo
with me. We are both looking forward to the friendly and appreciative crowd as well as meeting up with lots
of friends and fans.
Tell us about your plans post-Cropredy. What does the short and long term future hold?
Post Cropredy, we – Billy Mitchell and Bob Fox – are touring in October/November 2025, I’m touring solo after that in Nov/Dec then in 2026 I’m touring mainly solo and there are a handful of Bob Fox and Stu Luckley re-union gigs in the diary as well as a possible Pitmen Poets Tour and more gigs with Home Service.
And finally, tent or caravan – or hotel? Or arrive/play/go home?!
Finally, arrive mid-afternoon/play/go on holiday!
Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2025 has officially sold out. There are no official resale channels. You can keep a last minute eye on the Fairport Facebook group here or Twickets, here.
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