From Glastonbury to Lapstock

Tankus the Henge to headline at Mid Devon music festival

Fresh from playing the Avalon sage at Glastonbury last week, London based band Tankus the Henge and Holsworthy based Lionstar will soon be heading for the mid-Devon village of Lapford to play as the headline acts at the 11th annual Lapstock Music Festival.

The highly popular Tankus' music is influenced by rock 'n roll, Gypsy jazz and Romani music, Balkan music, ragtime, New Orleans music, and ska and they proved an immense hit with festival goers at Glastonbury. Lionstar are renowned for their unique reggae/rock/world fusion music

Lapstock attracts bands from all over the country and is highly regarded amongst musicians for its professional staging and equipment. It 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.

It is a not-for-profit enterprise which supports Devon Air Ambulance as its chosen charity with any surplus going to fund next year’s event. The festival, which was originally established by ‘The Bill’ actor Peter Ellis (Superintendent Brownlow) and his wife Anita while they were living at the Mill in Lapford, has the sole aim of promoting live music and helping musicians on their way up in the music industry and to provide entertainment that is accessible and affordable.

Festival Director, Steve Keable said “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.

Other featured 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.

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.

Photo. Lionstar live