Bridgwater Together is dedicated to bringing together the many and varied international communities in and around the town and sharing our cultural diversity in a spirit of unity and peace on earth loveliness. So it’s no surprise that they’re taking the lead in promoting a seasonal festival of internationalism at the Bridgwater Arts Centre on Saturday 1st December with Irish touring band The Eskies, fronting the line up.
The show will start at 8pm and will be hosted by Somerset singer Yvette Staelens, who’s Voice of the People Choir annually tours Europe linking up with other choirs. While presenting each act she will be performing songs from around the globe, backed on guitar by Westover councillor Brian Smedley.
Tickets can be bought from the ART CENTRE or THE ENGINE ROOM for £5. Or online via Midnight Mango (£6)
Polish Pianist Mariusz will open the evening and swiftly followed by Musica de Timor-Leste – who will play a set of folk songs from East Timor. Portuguese accordionist, Natalia Cerqueira, will sing songs from both Portugal and the British isles and then Somerset singer -songwriter Reuben Vowles, will take things up a gear with some of his own material played on electric guitar.
The Eskies are from Dublin and play a unique brand of folk noir/gipsy jazz crossover sea shanty. Their second album ‘Don’t Spare the Horses’ is out on Absolute Records and they are regarded as one of the best emerging bands from Ireland in recent years.
Playing some 40 festivals in 5 countries during 2017, including Glastonbury, Cambridge and Bestival, they have just come back from Australia, so Bridgwater is fortunate that they’ve included a date here for us as part of their national tour.
If you need any more persuading, have a read of the reviews;-
“A Melting Pot of sounds that screams ‘get up and dance!’ “RnR Magazine
“Setting their stall out from the first bar the band rip it up track by track.“Americana UK
“Imagine music that grabs you by the arm and threatens to drag you onto the dance floor visualise all that and you’ll be close, only close though.”FolkWords
“Razor sharp arrangements and commendable restraint, they put most of their rampaging peers to shame” Acoustic Magazine
“rip-roaring party tunes for cowboys, sailors, chain gangers and rag timers ” Whisperin and Hollerin
“Like a wagon storming the citadel, The Eskies’ brand of gothic tinged gypsy folk swaggers out of the speakers with intent.” Hot Press Magazine
“From the sinister sway of ‘Eloise’ through to the jaunty ‘Jesus Don’t Save Me’ and the driving ‘Jailhouse Su n’, The Eskies have delivered a fascinating blend of fun fuelled folk.” The Independent
“The album is a raucous fanfare of folk, swamp blues and unquenchable merriment, paired with brain burrowing melodies and witty lyrics, delivered at breakneck speed.” Goldenplec
“Indeed, the album exudes a vim and visor that bursts from out of the speakers…makes for an incredibly entertaining experience.” The Last Mixed Tape
Tickets
With tickets priced at an affordable £5 in order to make the event accessible to all, it may be wise to book yours early.
You can pick them up or reserve them from the Bridgwater Arts Centre 11-13 Castle street or from the Engine Room 52 High Street, Bridgwater
Or you can get them online here.(this is from the Eskies site and incurs a +£1 ‘service charge’)
or phone the Arts Centre on 01278 422700
To find out more about the Eskies, click here.
To locate the Bridgwater Arts Centre go here.