Music line up announced for Barnaby 2016

There’s an edgy and eclectic mix of musical talent in evocative settings at the Barnaby Festival – which runs from Friday 17 to Sunday 26 June in Macclesfield town centre. In its short history the festival has built a reputation for impressive gigs in unconventional spaces and this year is no exception. Talented emerging artists play alongside musical giants in a distinctively Macclesfield programme.

The headline event is an exclusive double bill of John Bramwell (I Am Kloot, aka Manchester’s Johnny Dangerously) and Recreations (Sam Duckworth, formerly known as Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.). The two sets will run back to back on Saturday 18 June in candlelit St Michael’s Church on Macclesfield’s cobbled Market Place. John Bramwell performs as a trio with piano and cello in this collection of great songs and stories. Recreations is the product of two years of investigation by Sam Duckworth. He brings bolder lyrics, a bit more heart on sleeve and some new tunes debut at Barnaby. Tickets £16.

Manchester born Gideon Conn leads the line up of strong singer songwriters at Acoustic Sanctuary an intimate evening of unplugged music on Friday 24 June, in 17th century King Edward Street Chapel tucked away down a gated ginnel. Artists include Kezia, Dave Hudson, Tom Linton and Tim Woodhouse. Tickets £10

A marquee on the lawns of St Michael’s Churchyard becomes Barnaby’s dedicated music venue – named after Macclesfield’s silk ribbon makers – a bar and bolt hole for music lovers which runs all weekend. The Gimp Twister Music Lounge is a place for ambient tunes, breakthrough music, the hottest Macc talent and DJs – all on a ‘Pay What You Can’ basis.

Macclesfield bands dominate the Gimp Twister line up demonstrating that there’s still a thriving musical scene in the town which brought us John Mayall, Joy Division, New Order and the Virginmarys. Taking to the stage will be tropical three-piece Cassia, Florin – recently returned from touring Brazil, dream-pop from Glass Ankle and critically acclaimed genre-straddling Hot Vestry – who despite their young age have played every Barnaby Festival. Alongside established Manchester indie talent including Hugo Kensdale and Louis Barrabas, there’s a post carnival parade ‘Space’ themed samba jam, a DJ set from New Order’s Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert with final shindig from the infectiously exuberant Hope & Social.

These musical highlights makes up just some of more than 100 events over the ten days of Barnaby Festival – almost all in unconventional or disused spaces.

Full details of all events and tickets available at www.barnabyfestival.org.uk.

 The Gimp Twister Music Lounge line up (check website for latest details) 

Friday 17 June: DJ sets – Russell Hope and CS Wallace

Saturday 18 June: Aerynn Brassfield, Maisie Johnson, Samba Jam, Jo Rose, Louis Barrabas, Florin, Glass Ankle, Hot Vestry, DJ Pete (Pedro) Moores

Sunday 19 June: Charli White, Songwriter’s Circle with Helen Walford, George Borowski & Zacc Rogers, Cassia, Hope & Social, Hugo Kensdale, The Robin Pierce Band, DJ set – Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert, Hope & Social.