Acoustically yours - Exeter's Phoenix announces Acoustica Festival 2010 line-up

Every so often, a little-known festival comes sneaking out of the woodwork and Acoustica Festival 2010 is no exception. The inaugural event took place last year, proving to be an enticing addition to Exeter's musical calendar - I reckon the 2010 line-up may just ensure we get to hear about a little bit sooner in future.

Spread out over three days, the festival takes place at the Phoenix Arts Centre from 17th-19th September with tickets costing a reasonable £8 admission for Friday and Sunday, with Saturday's 12-hour shindig costing £12 for the whole day (that's um, £1 per hour, thrift-heads) - check below for ticket availability. There is also a weekend ticket available for £22. Each day brings a long-list of performers across a handful of stages - we've picked a few highlights for you.

Friday

 

Image: www.catelebon.com

Cate Le Bon

Friday's exquisite line-up includes Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon (no relation to the Duran heart-throb), a lady who has proffered her dulcet tones on the acclaimed retro album by Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, Neon Neon a couple of years back.

 

Image: www.facebook.com/SmokeFairies

Smoke Fairies

She will be joined by the Sussex sophomore duo Smoke Fairies who have recently formed a coalition of sorts with Sheffield's steely songwriter, Richard Hawley. They appeared on tour with him, as well as appearing on the 10" EP "False Lights From The Land" earlier this year. The other big guest on Friday is psych-folk DJ and promoter and Twisted Nerve's boss and founder, Andy Votel.

Saturday

 

Image: www.ruarrijoseph.co.uk

Ruarri Joseph

Saturday brings two much-fancied troubadours of the six-string, Ruarri Joseph (album review soon cometh, folks) and Scott Matthews, a man who has previously collaborated with Robert Plant - how cool is that?

 

Scott Matthews

Joseph is due to release his eagerly-anticipated set, "Shoulder To The Wheel", a rather engagingly-crafted foray into the world between strum 'n' surf and folk-roots. Matthews is probably still reeling with joy after having Robert Plant sing on his "Elsewhere" album, released last year. The small matter of winning an Ivor Novello Award doesn't seem to have phased him either. Canadian strum-writer Jon Janes aka The Mountains And The Trees is another highlight on Saturday.

Sunday

 

Alasdair Roberts

The final day gathers together Scottish cult-hero Alasdair Roberts and Brighton-based collective The Miserable Rich, an ensemble that melds classical, jazz and trusty folkisms rather successfully. Roberts has just released another in a longish line of acclaimed albums with "Too Long In This Condition".

You have just over a week to get tickets for this intriguing weekend of quality nu-folk and roots!

Paul Pledger