Billed as Britain's friendliest music festival, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention attracts up to 20,000 music fans of all ages from all walks of life. The festival takes place at Cropredy near Banbury, Oxfordshire (three miles from Junction 11 of the M40 motorway).
Fairport's Cropredy Convention open-air music festival announces the full line-up for this summer’s event. The festival will take place at Cropredy near Banbury on Thursday 8, Friday 9 and Saturday 10 August 2024. It has been staged in the same rural setting since 1980. The three most recent additions to the line-up (Tony Christie, Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage, and the Zac Schulze Gang) complete the roster.
Host band Fairport Convention will welcome festival-goers with an acoustic set on the Thursday as well as playing a two+ hour closing set on the Saturday night. This will be preceded by a surprise Special Guest. As well as Fairport, other headliners include The Trevor Horn Band and Rick Wakeman with The English Rock Ensemble.
The performances are impressively diverse and chosen to appeal across genres and generations. Highlights include Big Big Train, Focus, DeWolff, Kathryn Tickell and the Darkening, Eddi Reader, Baskery, Black Water County, Elles Bailey, Richard Digance, Feast of Fiddles, Ranagri, Spooky Mens Chorale, SilverBlues. Cropredy offers great value for money and tickets are on sale now. Adult three day tickets start at £165; Youth three day tickets (12-17) are £85 and under-12s are free.
FULL LINE-UP IN RUNNING ORDER
Thursday 8 Aug
Fairport Acoustic: The host band’s acoustic line-up plays the opening slot.
Feast of Fiddles: This energetic folkrock ensemble presents a dazzling display of violin virtuosi.
Kathryn Tickell and the Darkening: The Darkening is the old Northumbrian term for twilight. Kathryn and the band connects threads of music, landscape and people over almost 2000 years
Tony Christie: Cropredy co-organiser Dave Pegg says: “When Fairport saw Tony perform at the Costa Festival we were immensely impressed His classy show earned him a well-deserved standing ovation. At Cropredy, he will perform many of his classic tracks as well as songs from his new album.”
Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble: A welcome return by Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble who will present the finest music in the classic progressive rock genre.
Friday 9 Aug
Black Water County: Folk/punk festival favourites Black Water County mix mayhem, laughs and rollicking good tunes – not to be missed.
SilverBlues: Two from Lindisfarne, one from Fairport and a mysterious other, SilverBlues play Lindisfarne favourites featuring Ray Jackson’s astonishing blues harmonica.
DeWolff: Psychedelic rock warriors from the deep south (of the Netherlands) this fabulous trio has audiences out of their seats.
Baskery: Greta, Stella and Sunniva Bondesson are a trio of sisters from Stockholm. Fabulous songs with perfect sibling harmonies.
Elles Bailey: Multi-award-winning smoky voiced Elles Bailey has powered her way to the forefront of British blues, roots and Americana.
Big Big Train: Winners of numerous progressive music awards, Fairport welcomes Big Big Train to Cropredy for the first time.
Spooky Men’s Chorale: Armed with no more than their voices and a nice line in deadpan, this Australian ensemble has been gleefully disturbing audiences everywhere.
The Trevor Horn Band: One of the most influential producers in popular music Trevor has worked with Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Grace Jones, Pet Shop Boys, Seal and Robbie Williams among many others
Saturday 10 Aug
Richard Digance: A real favourite of the Cropredy crowd, Richard joins us as always for his ever-popular Saturday opening slot.
Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage: Americana/folk duo Hannah and Ben supported Fairport on their 2023 Winter Tour. Their performances feature fine musicianship, exquisite songs and intimate duets.
Zac Schulze Gang: A must-see for fans of electrifying guitar-based rock and blues, the Zac Schulze Gang is fast, fun and a force to be reckoned with.
Ranagri: Energetic festival band Ranagri has forged a new and contemporary sound on the folk scene, winning over audiences at home and internationally.
Focus: Formed in Amsterdam in 1969, Focus is revered in prog rock circles. This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of their seminal album Hamburger Concerto.
Eddi Reader: With ten critically acclaimed albums, three Brit Awards and a chart-topping single Eddi brings joyous life to all forms of traditional and contemporary song.
Note: a special surprise guest will precede Fairport.
Fairport Convention: As ever, Fairport will close the festival with a mammoth set on Saturday night.
Fairport’s Cropredy Convention headliner update:
Richard Thompson joins Friday line-up as
Trevor Horn pulls out due to health issue.
The organisers announce a change of headliner on the Friday night. The Trevor Horn Band had been booked to take the stage at 10.30pm but has had to pull out for health reasons.
In Trevor’s place, Fairport Convention co-founder Richard Thompson will fill the Friday headline slot. He will play a solo acoustic set accompanied by guest Zara Phillips.
No stranger to the Cropredy stage, Richard has performed at the event numerous times down the years, most recently in 2022.
Richard Thompson says: “I can’t tell you what a joy it is to be back at Cropredy. This always feels like home – a chance to catch up with old Fairport bandmates, and to play in front of the best folk-rock audience in the world. Roll on August!”
Trevor Horn says: “Of all the festivals we play, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention is my favourite for many reasons. So it’s with great sadness that I must cancel our appearance this year. This is due to a health issue from which I have not made the recovery I was expecting.”
“I hope Fairport will invite us to play next year,” adds Trevor. “Meanwhile, my sincere apologies and my best wishes for this year’s event.”
Photo Credits:
(1) Fisherman’s Friends,
(1)-(3) Fairport Convention / Fairport’s Cropredy Convention,
(4) Kathryn Tickell
(unknown/website);
(5) Richard Thompson
(by Walkin' Tom).
