More than 30 acts announced for Lapstock

Music at the Mill will showcase local young talent

Organisers of the 11th annual Lapstock Music Festival in Mid-Devon have announced the line-up of bands and performers for this year’s Music at the Mill which will feature more 30 acts over two days in July.

The event which attracts bands from all over the country and is highly regarded amongst musicians for its professional staging and equipment, features a free Friday night programme showcasing young South West based talent and a day-long Saturday session with 15 acts on the main stage and a further 11 acts on a separate acoustic stage.

Lapstock will be headlined by two bands, both who have previously performed at Glastonbury. Tankus the Henge, a London based band playing music that draws influence from rock 'n roll, Gypsy jazz and Romani music, Balkan music, ragtime, New Orleans music, and ska with South West based reggae/rock band Lionstar, who played Glastonbury last year are once again returning to Lapstock.

Other bands include Hip Route from Swindon (blues with a groove), Bache (Cornish based pop/folk), One Man Boycott from Devon (pop/punk), Be Water (North Devon based alt rock duo), Bicycle Repair Man Devon based acoustic duo), Jack Damage (local rock cover band), Landspeeder (indie rock), Jess McAllister (Devon-based singer songwriter) and Mothers Ruin (local Heavy Metal), Bonnie Bolt, Half a Baboon plus many more over 3 stages from 12 noon until midnight.

Young local talent who will play the Friday night session include Ella Crossland, a teenage singer/songwriter from North Devon, alternative rock from Plymouth/Tavistock State of Contradiction and Bude singer songwriter, Alyssa Wint. In all seven emerging talent acts will feature at Lapstock.

The music programme has been put together by Jennie Tomlinson of Devon based Red Shoes Music

Festival Director, Steve Keable said: “We hope people will support us as Lapstock is a not-for-profit enterprise where any surplus goes to fund next year’s festival. Our sole aim is to promote live music and help musicians on their way up in the music industry and to provide entertainment that is accessible and affordable.

“To keep costs low, musicians and bands play for expenses not profit but they do benefit from the attention the event attracts from bookers and agents.

“However, the event has evolved into quite a festival with a range of activities and attractions to supplement the music including ukulele and didgeridoo sessions, a children’s drum workshop, storytelling, yoga, belly dancing, a jewellery stall and Japanese pottery demonstrations.

“We have a minor army of 100 volunteers which makes Lapstock very much a community event and everything from beer to bread and hay bales is sourced very locally.

“Lapstock has also adopted Devon Air Ambulance as its official charity and we’ll be supporting events to raise money for them in their 25th years of operation.”

Lapstock. Music at the Mill, takes place over the weekend of July 28/29 at the Mill in Lapford near Crediton. The Friday night young talent showcase is free. Tickets for the main festival day cost £20 on the door and £15 in advance and are available by visiting www.lapstock.org.uk. There is also limited camping facilities available which is only bookable online.

Pictured is Missy Edwards performing at Lapstock 2016