Hi there XXXX!
Well, here we are. Just about at the high-tide mark of summer 
.
And while it isn't all that summery at the moment, you might be glad — unless you are reading this in the frozen wastes of the north — that the early summer heat has been turned down a notch or two. (I am. Glad, that is. Not living in the frozen Arctic.)
Music-wise, it's also been hot work for FiddleBop so far this spring and summer. So here's a quick recap of what we've been up to since the last FiddleBop Newsletter, back in March.
OK, it's April. FiddleBop have just been scoffing early-season chips on Aberystwyth's short pier, enjoying (?) the bracing wind off the sea. Suitably stuffed, we wander back the way we came and enter a bank, then strike up the "Gypsy jazz re-imagined"! OK, actually, a former bank. Busking in a currently-operational financial establishment, maybe to beg for an overdraft, would be low behaviour. Even by FiddleBop's low standards.
The Bank Vault, Aberystwyth is a popular cafe-bar not far from Aberystwyth seafront. Very popular with students, it seemed to us. So there we are on the lofty heights of the Bank Vault's stage, Gypsy-jazzing it with our usual enthusiasm. A very good time was had by all. Not least, by us. Of course!
Next: the merry month of May. And not long after it began, there was FiddleBop cooking up some "Gypsy jazz re-imagined" in a kitchen. Again, actually a kind-of kitchen. This was an Oxford Jazz Kitchen gig. Thanks, Trish! And so FiddleBop triumphantly returned to the wonderfully friendly Rose and Crown, Oxford. Thanks Andrew and family!
This was a really fun gig for all of us, but for Jo and Dave in particular. We met up with lots of old friends — "old" in the sense of "known for a long time", of course. And all of us in FiddleBop made some new friends. And Andrew the landlord was as hospitable as ever.
As for the exuberant dancing by the exuberant audience... well! Words fail me! Maybe a photo will help... We also got a video of our performance, which is a nice bonus. Dave is currently editing this. Which means, probably, that it will never be finished.
Later in May, the weather began to seriously warm up. We all began to feel a bit more summery and happy. At first, anyway. And it was time for FiddleBop to make some hot Gypsy-tinged jazz music in a hotbed of philosophical erudition: at the HowTheLightGetsIn festival at Hay-on-Wye. No other festival is quite like this, folks.
HowTheLightGetsIn aims to "bring together philosophers, writers, academics, comedians and musicians for a festival of debate, talks, music, workshops, and late night parties". All that, a delightful spot beside the Wye, and hot-hot-hot weather too! Cool pints of Rosie-the-Pig rhubard-flavoured cider went down a rare treat. Medicinally, of course.
FiddleBop played twice during HTLGI (as the festival is catchily known by the in-crowd). We enjoyed every minute of both sets. The second one was videoed by our friend Baze: look forward to more FiddleBop on the small screen soon, folks! And we even learned a thing or two from the talks which we attended.
So we come to June. A flaming June it was, too. At the start of the month, FiddleBop made our sweaty way towards a former electrical goods retail outlet. Why? Well, the "Old Electric" in Hay-on-Wye is usually a cafe and shop, but "during Hay Festival, it turns into a music venue and cocktail bar". We had great support here, from Harvey and Nike of The Brakes.
Then FiddleBop's second June gig! This was one that we had been looking forward to for months. The 36th International Upton Jazz Festival, held on the banks of the placid River Severn.
When FiddleBop arrived, Upton-upon-Severn was alive with visitors and jazz! (And very hot, too.) After a riverside stroll and a listen to the bands playing there, Dave of course had to go to catch part of jazz violinist Ben Holder's set. Great stuff! But then, all too soon, it was time for FiddleBop to get ready, to follow the excellent Hotsy Totsy — a "Swinging All Ladies Jazz Band" — at the Bar 7 venue.
FiddleBop had a great time! Not just because of the appreciative audience when we kicked off with our "Gypsy jazz re-imagined", nor just from the pleasure we got hearing other wonderful bands, but also because former FiddleBop emeritus bass player Roger Davis appeared during our final set. He came along from out of nowhere. To give his regards, from Broadway. (If you don't get the humour here, don't worry. It isn't really that funny.) It was great to see you, Roger!
So that's the past. What about FiddleBop's near future? Well, we've got some smashing gigs coming up!
First — and this one is happening "real soon now" — is a FiddleBop gig on Thursday of this week! This is at Babar Cafe-Bar (31 Union Street, Hereford HR1 2BT. 01432 342334, babarcafehereford@gmail.com), from 7.30 pm on Thursday 6 July.
Babar is "the best and most colourful bar and music venue in Hereford". It's free entry, so if you are anywhere near Hereford, no excuses. Why not come along?
Next, FiddleBop is back in festival mode! We're on at Landed Festival (A470, Llandrindod Wells, Powys LD1 6HH. Tickets from https://www.fatsoma.com/e/3jmfgpen/landed-festival-2023).
Landed Festival 2023 runs from 28-30 July. It was the winner of the "Best Welsh Festival" award in 2019, is in a great location next to the River Wye, and boasts of "pub prices, affordable food, bonkers visual art, and old school party vibe".
There are three dance stages and four live stages (two of them in a circus marquee); also free workshops, a large variety of local caterers, kids activities in the Landed Kidz area, and a "Pimp My Duck Race" (really!). With, as the sun sets, fireside stories, songs and drumming, and fire shows. As the organisers say, "Landed Festival has something to suit all tastes." We have to agree. Landed certainly sounds like fun to us!
FiddleBop will be on the Kaos Stage from 4-5 pm on Friday 28 July 2023. See you there?
Then in August FiddleBop will be playing at Brecon Jazz Festival, twice. Yaaaaay! We're really looking forward to this!
Brecon Jazz Festival began in 1984, and has hosted world-class jazz musicians from across the world. And a young Dave busked there — in a car park — along with whizzo Brighton guitarist Chris Wolferstan, in the late 1980s! Nostalgia aside: according to the logo, this year is the festival's 40th anniversary. (However you might wish to check this using the clue in the first sentence of this paragraph, and a calculator: I did!)
Fortieth anniversary or not, Brecon Jazz is one of the fixtures of the UK jazz world, and attracts hordes of people to Brecon. This year the multi-venue festival runs from 11-13 August. Some events (including both FiddleBop spots) are free. But others — too many to list here — require tickets, which are available from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/breconjazz-jazzlivecymru. There is also a thriving Brecon Fringe Festival which runs alongside Brecon Jazz.
So what is FiddleBop doing in Brecon Jazz? Our first spot will be playing at a workshop for the Frazz Parade (jointly organised by The Muse venue, Brecon, this), from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday 12 August. This will be in the cool interior of St Mary's Church (Brecon, Powys LD3 7AA), and is free entry.
Then we play outside, on the Bulwark Stage, from 4 - 5 pm on the same day. Yaaaaay! Again, it's free.
So... we can't wait! And do you dare miss this, and all the other amazing music at Brecon Jazz? Thought not... See you there, we hope!
The final FiddleBop gig that I'm going to tell you about here is a definite newbie for us. It is at Cwmaman Music Festival (Cwmfest), near Aberdare. Cwmfest runs from 22-24 September, and "was formed for the benefit of people of all ages who enjoy live music, and to promote Cwmaman and the surrounding areas. The festival is back for its fourteenth year". I don't have details of the 2023 programme yet, but the lineups for 2022 and previous years look to be great, with music of all kinds.
FiddleBop will be playing from 5 - 6 pm on Sunday 24 September, on The Globe Stage. So if you fancy a trip to the Valleys, and some "Gypsy jazz re-imagined" from FiddleBop, then we'll see you there!
Finally... as always, I need to check that you wish to continue to receive FiddleBop newsletters. If you don't, then click here to unsubscribe, or send an unsubscribe-request email to info@fiddlebop.org. If you don’t do either of these things then I’ll assume that you are happy to receive future FiddleBop newsletters.
Thank you! All the best
Dave (and Jo and Paul and Graeme... the FiddleBoppers)
info@fiddlebop.org
01982 560726
07968 950870
FiddleBop
@FiddleBop
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This list of gigs is correct at the time of writing, but the list on our website is always up to date.
| The gig! | When/where is FiddleBop playing? | Venue, occasion, whatever... | Contact details |
Free entry! |
7.30 pm |
Babar Cafe-Bar, Hereford |
Babar Cafe-Bar |
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4 - 5 pm |
Landed Festival 2023 |
Landed Festival |
and
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Free entry! |
Brecon Jazz Festival |
Brecon Jazz Festival |
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Free entry! |
Brecon Jazz Festival |
Brecon Jazz Festival |
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5 - 6 pm |
Cwmaman Music Festival (CwmFest) |
Cwmaman Music Festival |
|
Admission TBA |
Early 2024 |
The Rose and Crown |
|
info@fiddlebop.org
01982 560726
07968 950870
FiddleBop
@FiddleBop
@fiddlebopGet our email newsletter
babar
@Landed
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