2009 Festival

Then sun was hot and the music was even hotter – the 17th Rhythms of the World (ROTW) festival at Hitchin Priory was a sizzling success. More than 25,000 people filled the Priory grounds on July 4th and 5th for music, community art, children’s entertainment, a market, a church service complete with pews from St Mary’s Church and craft displays.

As always, the musical mix was wonderfully eclectic, ranging from opera and jazz to rock, punk and bhangra.

Once again, world music came to Hitchin, with Niger desert blues from Etran Finatawa, the Cajun band Magnolia Sisters, Hjaltalin from Iceland and Welsh language folk band Allan Yn Y Fan.
 
Highlights of the 150 acts at this year’s festival included Jazz Jamaica, the Jive Aces and singer John Otway.

Steve Smither, the festival’s Performance Director: “I am totally elated. I am so pleased we managed to get Hjaltalin this year. Everyone loved them and they are going to be big stars."
 
"It was very special to have Tatyana Lar from Siberia with us, this very nearly didn't happen. Originally she wasn't granted a Visa but ROTW kicked off a chain of events which led to Tatyana receiving her visa & we had the immense pleasure of having her play for us"
 
"The BBC Introducing stage was fantastic year, so many great local bands. Headliners Exit Avenue and Flamboyant Bella especially drew huge audiences. It's going to be really hard to top this next year. The Arena again hosted local groups and societies & gave a different group of performers the chance to be part of the festival."

ROTW Chairman Matt Wyle: "There really was something for just about everyone. One of the great things about Rhythms is that you get all sorts of people of all ages, and they all find something to enjoy."

"The fact that the festival is organised and run by volunteers makes it all the more special. I would like to say a huge thank you to the hundreds of volunteers that gave their time over the weekend and for the months of preparation and planning that went before it."

“We’re also very grateful to all our sponsors and of course we thank the Cartridge Conference Group for letting us use their lovely grounds."