This year’s line-up is jam-packed with talent covering a miscellany of musical styles and more!

Music:

Bear and the Woods – Take folk-rock and tinker with it until it is somehow better. Powerful vocals and strong playing are just part of the mix.
13D – This three-piece mixes rock, punk, rap and Americana to create a sound both old and new, through which they weave dark modern tales.
Caribbean Serenaders – Traditional Caribbean folk songs, sung in a way that will make you want to visit those sunny shores!
The Curious Sounds – One part vaudeville, one part Bavarian oompah band, this quirky act will leave you grinning from ear to ear.
Darn Tootin' – Fingers moving at the speed of light... two virtuoso classical clarinettists huffing, puffing and squeaking their way to wild abandon. Plus the odd jazz riff here and there. 
Horse Rock – Imagine a world where Hank Marvin  and the Shadows came from Berkshire, wore wrestling masks... and had a perceptible sense of humour. Imagine no longer.
The Hush A Bye Babes – This female vocal trio will wow you with sweet songs of yesteryear, complete with three-part harmonies that will take you back to the Golden Age.
I-Jay The Acoustic Messenger – Wonderful acoustic reggae and blues from Julian I-Jay Johnson, he’s been must-see fixture at Caribbean nights and local festivals so we are honoured to have him play at ours!
Jimmy the Dog – Jim Ferrie and his bandmates perform intricate and skilful blues/Americana with flavours of Tom Waits and a pinch of Springsteen… tasty.
Jo Quail – Cellist Jo uses classical and folk styles as a jumping off point for a dramatic musical journey. Sometimes tranquil, sometimes tempestuous, but always holding your attention.
Khamsina – Piano driven and emotional, Khamsina’s songs are like soundtracks from films you may have seen… or simply dreamt of.
Kicking Television – If high energy indie is your thing then KT’s live show should blow your tubes and bust your valves.
Left 11 – Have a total age of (quite a lot) less than 50, but they’re already loud, proud and totally rocking when they hit their stride.
Maija Tuomi-Nikula (Classical for Charity) – Our in-house classical pianist, Maija will showcase the skills and sounds of her Classical for Charity series.
Pat Fish – Musical eccentric, troubadour and philosopher and the only constant in the revolving door membership of Oxford-based band/collective The Jazz Butcher. 
Silque and Ezra – a rap/R&B combo: Silque, one of Reading hiphop collective OSP, delivers free-flowing rhythmical lyrics reminiscent of west coast US hiphop, and Ezra retro-styled soul vocal licks.
Static in Motion – They describe themselves as ‘playing songs with three chords since 2013’ but in fact are purveyors of the finest bouncy pop-punk in Berkshire... with tunes, singing and everything.
Talulah Kills – are both big and clever. They play their very own version of indie rock for a more discerning audience.
Tango Select (Milonga Simpatica) – Sensual, sophisticated and passionate music. Whisk your partner on to the dance-floor or just sit back and immerse yourself in the atmosphere.

More than music:

AF Harrold – Poet, writer, children’s author, raconteur, genius, extravagantly bearded. All of these describe AF Harrold. He writes for grown-ups but is perhaps at his best when writing and performing for children. Which is lucky, because that’s what we’ve asked him to do here.
Gog – Recently crowned Alternative Queen of Reading by AltReading, Gog drops a unique style of comedy-stand-up-folk. Who doesn't like a bit of self-deprecation about our fair town of Reading? A must see.
Gordon Buss – Gordon writes funny poems that are actually very serious and serious poems that make you laugh.
Angela E-Olano – Angela hails from the distant land of Peru and performs an energetic and vibrant form of dancing to Afro-Peruvian Music (Música negra), which is largely influenced by West African music and Spanish music. Her performance of the Festejo (from the Spanish ‘fiesta’) is not to be missed!
The Red Van Man – Nick Garnett is an artist, educator and experienceologist, and will be creating something new and special for the day.
Children's Sound Workshop – A unique sonic experience for children to enjoy, curated by The Creative People.
Tales From The Trails– Stories and songs from the old west are brought to life in this interactive workshop for children - and adults can join in too!

Interactive arts:

Outdoor evening cinema – The outdoor cinema will once again be rolling at this year's festival, and we want to show YOUR short films. Whether it's drama, comedy, documentary or something far less definable, as long as it's under 15 minutes, it'll be considered. Get in touch with our cinema curator Ross via rossjhale@hotmail.com

Open Poetry Challenge –  Amateur and accomplished poets will perform works based on the theme of ‘Rising Sun’. Entry for the poetry challenge has now closed.

Unfortunately, Bentcousin and Kat Sinclair are no longer able to play this year