home

 

the festival

92 to the present

support

making it happen

community arts

getting involved

stalls

sell your wares

performers

take part — lineup

workshops

make some noise

news & events

what's happening

 

Donate through CAFOnline 

12 & 13 July 2008
performers
Burning Bush, 2005

Performers – 2005





20 Dead Camels Local Ska/reggae band who started in 1999, have played with ska giants Bad Manners, The Beat and The Selecter.  Get your dancing shoes on!   www.20deadcamels.co.uk

Aaron ClarkeSinger/songwriter delivering energetically on acoustic guitar and performing his own songs with a range of other music genres and covers.  Well known locally for his powerful gritty hard rock voice and performance, so expect to be taken on a roller coaster of music from Blues to Rock.  
Agent M Ambient Electronica from Agent M and special guest J from the Acid Shiffle Crew.
Al Marzochi The deeper mysterious side of house music.  
Andy Skelton An accomplished and versatile guitarist/vocalist/songwriter who has worked with world-class artists including Dolly Parton and John Wetton (Asia).  As a solo performer he recently supported Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings.  ("Four Troubadours")
Apollo 001 Apollo 001- aka Andy- used to play in agitpop poetry band Kocaine with Chris Ripple.  Now he plays with electronics…  and guitars.
Autofire Homegrown eclectic techno faves will be playing a set of original tracks along with the tunes that have influenced the band and their music over nearly 10 years.   www.zebox.com/autofire

Bad Habit DJ's Bad Habit bringing their own blend of sexy filtered funk to ROTW 2005.   www.ilovebadhabit.co.uk
Barclay School Steel Pan Band Barclay School Steel Pan Band has been running for 5 years, played in Belgium, Paris, Southern Ireland, Holland as well as the Gordon Craig Theatre.
Baron Sound Studios ROTW soldiers playing the finest in Dub and Reggae.  
Barrelass Take thy favoured fluffy toy, shave it, rip out its innards and replace with hatred, joy and the perverse.  The ass you gotta love.   www.barrelass.com
Bass Relief Four years ago Mark asked Chris if he ever fancied performing poetry with a bass backing.  Experimental word jazz…  sort of.  
Ben Smith Acoustic heaven — 'One of Britain's finest guitarists today' — Time Out.  
Bhangra Fever   www.envyroadshow.com
Bill Mac Namara SAT — Reggae tunes.  SUN — Northern Soul the way it should be done, from the Sunrunner's own master.  
Black Eye A 5 member accessible metal band, with influences from all genres of metal, with impressive stage presence and an original approach.   www.myspace.com/blackeye
Bob Green Extended use of delay effects gives an ethereal edge to some fairly earthy songs.  A rare live outing.  Lovely !
Bone Idle BoNeIdLe punkers from London, if u like ur punk in ur face they are well worth a visit! Straight ahead good songs with excellent vocals.   www.boneidleuk.com
Bronson Playing an eclectic mix of covers in a rather chilled way.  Look out for 80s pop or 70s glam among contemporary singer songwriter tunes!
Buddhabuddies Local electronica combo who really are different with their sense of fun and mischievousness that brings a smile to your face as you find yourself dancing.
Buddhist Monks Karaniya Metta Sutta — 2540 year old verses for all sentient beings will be chanted by Venerable Samitha, Sri Lankan Theravadan Buddhist monk resident in Letchworth.   www.letchworthbuddhism.com
Buffalo A five piece band specializing in American bluegrass music.  Katrina Grant; fiddle.  Guy simpson; dobro.  Bob Smithson; guitar.  Dave Nottman; mandolin.  Nick Ross; bass.

Carl Williams Carl is a piano entertainer in every sense of the word, with incredible charisma and an unbelievable playing ability.  Stunning to watch and listen to.   
Chordblind Cathy and James provide the solid rhythmic under-pinning for Lorenzo's ever imaginative guitar playing and Natasha's warm vocal.  Top tunes, hypnotic grooves.
Crop Circles Live performance from Hitchin-based Hip Hop cru founded by Life Intensive and Danny Spice.   www.outerbound.co.uk
Cultura Londres A masterclass in downtempo Latin Hop Hop.   www.culturalondres.com

Danny Cluso Your host for the Portmill Stage.
Danny Spice Hip-Hop and Funk set from Hitchin-based emcee/dj/producer/promoter.   www.outerbound.co.uk

Dark Cell And lo, they rose again to vomit forth a cacophonous deluge upon those, who would stand and listen to the violation of such dulcet tones….  

David Colaiacomo David Colaiacomo is an Italian singer/songwriter from Segni, near Rome.  David has managed to create his unique original melodies with an unmistakeable style.    www.davidcolaiacomo.it

Dead Kid Songs An intense blend of hard hitting soundscapes, synths, guitars and anthemic vocals brings an original sound and a passionate live show to the stage.   www.deadkidsongs.co.uk

Desi Essence — Bhangra Dance 4 young dancers dancing to the sounds of punjab, with the dhol.   www.freewebs.com/punjabi-style-kuriya

Desi Essence — Bollywood Dance 3 dancers dancing to well known bollywood music with the bollywood moves.

Diana Levitas Diana Levitas, who has lived and taught in Hitchin for twenty-eight years plays unaccompanied violin music from the eighteenth and twentieth centuries.

DJ Harry Roberts Hailing from a little known queer-anarchic realm, DJ Harry Roberts spins his retro-disco-queercore.  Don't miss this chance to prance and dance.   www.queeruption.org

DJ Hughes Blunted Dub sounds mixed up by DJ Hughes.

DJ Prolifik Hip Hop styles and breaks from special guest Andy….all the way from Edinburgh.

DJ Tease DJ Tease with an exclusive Sunday funk set.   www.bluntbeats.com

Don Court Don's music is about moving from darkness to light.  A battle with alcoholism and addiction that he is winning, one day at a time.  

Doug SAT — Worldwide sounds from Blunt Beats resident Doug.  SUN — Block party hip hop jams from Doug, in a Blunt Beats style.  

Dr. Oo & The Despotics Dr Oo and the Despotics set out to rework rock and roll in an exciting and jazzy direction using classic and original material.

Dr. Rock Andy voice, Andy bass, Andy drums, guitarists David and Gary and drummer Lloyd set up some mighty grooves.  The Dr.  will see you now.

Eddie's Brother Captivating, original, emotive.  Smoother than the bottom of the iron in Monopoly.  Warmly recommended, melodic, acoustic vocal/guitar music from 21st century England.  

Emily Zisman Emily is Short.  Not short in the "short tempered" sense, but more in the "vertically challenged" sense.  She is also flexible (in the bendy sense) and tends to stick her foot in her mouth.  She has been singing since before she can remember (which doesn't really make sense but sounds pretty) and playing guitar since she was 10.  This is her first time playing in a festival and probably to a crowd this size.  But don't tell her, she may freak out.

Epoc Live drum n bass trio.  They represent a new breed of musical performance, harnessing the raw elements of the genre and delivering them live.   www.epoclive.co.uk

Erbalist SAT — Rocksteady and roots reggae from the veteran Blunt Beats resident.  SUN — Funk session with the Erbalist.   www.bluntbeats.com

Escape 1942 Escape 1942 are a Stevenage-based 5 piece.  They play a passionate form of indie rock that is at once epic, angular and melodic.   www.falltothesky.co.uk

Fabrizia Indian Classical Temple Dance 'Bharatanatyam' performed by Fabrizia and Hitchin Minority Forum students, accompanied by Bansuri flute, Tabla and violin.  

Faded Façade A fresh, original sound influenced by ska and punk fronted by the superb Liz.  Claire and Gareth provide the grooves, with James on guitar.

Fledge Fledge fly in the face of conventional formula or more properly, they're a fly in the ointment of the unoriginal.  They hail from the foreshore.    www.fledge.org.uk

Floodline   www.floodlineonline.co.uk

Fragile Acoustic offshoot of rock school legends Intuition, featuring Fran Meaby's exquisite vocals with the melodic guitars of Jenny Hina and Adam Richardson.   www.intuition.i8.com

Frog Stupid …have gained many a fan locally with their melodic, horn-fuelled punk rock, cheeky ska and emotive breakdowns coupled with an energetic live show.   www.frogstupid.co.uk

Fruition 5 piece alternative groove rock band with captivating songs and melodies that will get you jumping and leave you swinging from the light fittings.   www.fruitionhq.co.uk

Fuzzy Lumpkins Funky folk-grunge with a sixties feel and uplifiting vibe.   www.fuzzylumpkins.co.uk

Hazel Turnock If scientists spliced the genes of Iggy Pop, Nina Simone, Tom Waits and Dolly Parton to make a super being — it probably wouldn't sound or look anything like Hazel!   www.freewebs.com/hazelturnock

Hertfordshire Music Service The Rock Project — Initiative set up by the Hertfordshire Music Service to promote opportunities for young people to learn and perform rock music.

Hitchin Allstar Choir A capella choir with a fresh and inspirational mix of songs including jazz, soul, pop, African and Irish.  Arrive early to get a good seat.

Hurricane Isabel Female Acoustic Duo.  Kat sings.  Isabel plays.  Sometimes, Isabel sings too.  Kat doesn't play.  They play pretty songs.  They hope you like them.  

Indiana Watford-based Indiana have an epic, melodious sound combining quiet/loud dynamics, soaring vocals and a three-guitar line-up firing off intertwined melodies.   www.indiana.org.uk

Infernotorium Infernotorium are the pioneers of the "post-ironic nano-music" movement, combining the obligatory heaviness with the necessary edginess that other bands can't touch.   www.infernotorium.co.uk

Inky Selected ambient workings to start the day.

Intuition Driving riffs from Andy, Jenny and Adam, powerful song writing and vocals from Steph and Fran.  Chris and James lay down mean bass and drums.

J Ambient Electronica from Agent M and special guest J from the Acid Skiffle Crew.  

Jagged Lime   www.jaggedlime.com

James PearsonProfessional Jazz pianist who has played in a duo with Jackie Dankworth, performs at Ronnie Scott's and tours the world.  Heard on Classic FM.  

Jan Smith Jan is a native of Louisville, Kentucky who plays a mix of country, folk and bluegrass performing with her partner Jeff Vogelgesang.   www.honeybirdsmusic.com

Jayne Mason Has studied music, directed music and performed music in various guises all her life.  She hopes you enjoy her music.

Joan Ov Arc All female Rock trio formed by the Walker sisters with Debbie Wildish on drums.  An electrifying energy driven melodic sound with influences from Jimi Hendrix.   www.joanovarc.com

Joerayg How Joerayg manages to gig as a solo, duo, trio, band member and run his own club is beyond comprehension.  Today he'll be solo…  maybe.

Kalibus & Tyrant Exploring the deeper side of the tribal drum.   www.tiger-style.co.uk

Kandida Singer/songwriter of infectious melodic original pop/rock.  If you want to hear killer 'Hooks' look no further — just watch and listen.   www.kandida.org

Katie Brayben Band Influences ranging from Joni Mitchell to Ani DiFranco, now performing with a great band.  Make way for an original soulful sound, with thoughtful, sincere lyrics.   www.katiebrayben.tk

Letchworth Majorettes Voluntary group aiming to teach children from 5 upwards baton twirling, pom poms and mace work for displays in the summer season.

Lindy Hop Swing jive dancers from classes at Steeple Morden Village Hall nr Royston.  Tuesdays with Paul & Debbie Jackson.   www.getintheswing.com

Lionheart Lionheart are a 6 piece band formed in July 2003.  All are experienced musicians from different musical backgrounds, having individually played in such bands as Shiloh, Promise Land, Expression and the Dave Ellis Blues Band.  Between them the band members bring writing, production and technical skills as well as musical influences ranging across reggae, soul, calypso, blues, jazz, funk and classical influences al brought together into a musical fusion that get's your feet tapping and your heart pounding. 

Lionheart have played both ROTW and the Luton Carnival in the past couple of years and are guaranteed to get you smiling.  www.lionheart.uk.com

Los Chicos Muertos Mixing up alternative country, Mexicana, industrial loops and contemporary chanson.  Born from the ashes of alt-acoustic pioneers The Young TrashLovers.   www.9pm-records.de/en/burn_2b.htm  

Lost Luggage London performance poets take an original, humorous look at travel and departure lounges.  With Anjan Saha and guests.  Brought to you by five a.m.  productions.   www.anjansaha.com

Luscious Representing Bancroft Youth Centre Hitchin.  A group of highly motivational young people, ready to take their bootleg vibe to another level of street dance.

Mab Four beautiful Sardinian girls play up their own style that combines heavy rock, goth metal and opera.  These girls can really play and they rawk.   www.mabofficial.com

Madadam "We come out of the smoky hall on to the stage, take off our uniforms and play all day…" Jazz lives !  

Mandeep Lalli And Band After the success of Rangla Punjab, Mandeep has been busy recording and writing new material.  He is back at Rhythms to showcase his new band.

Marcus G Hurley Funk and Soul grooves fron Marcus G Hurley for Blunt Beats.   www.bluntbeats.com

Mask MASK is a collaborative project featuring cult icon/singer Sonja Kristina and acclaimed ambient cellist/violinist/producer Marvin Ayres.  MASK mixes extemporisation with structured songs and beats, recording and performing experimental voice and strings soundscapes, fusing elements of Ambient/Electronica, Trance and Classical music to breathtaking and original effect.

Many of you will know Sonja Kristina as the lead singer for the cult classical rock group Curved Air.  Marvin is a prominent figure on the ambient electronic scene, is a founder member of the cult band The Government, and has played/contributed with many artists of the late 80s/90s — notably Culture Club, Simply Red, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Prefab Sprout.  Marvin co-produced Sonja Kristina's ambient jazz album “Cri De Coeur” and he and Sonja continue to collaborate and record together.

"This is groundbreaking and beautiful."    "An awesome piece of music."   www.mask.uk.net

Maya Original acoustic world folk music and songs from the heart with a haunting female vocal, two acoustic guitars and tasteful percussion.  Supporting debut album, "Revelations".   www.mayarevelations.com

Mazarika Five piece band, flavours of eastern European, Irish folk and jazz.  Performed in an original and contemporary way. 

Members of Saaz A blend of Indian classical/punjabi and western music based on raag and rhythm.  Sponsored by the Sikh Education Council   www.thesikhway.com

Members of the Raj Academy Traditional Punjabi and South East Asian classical music and songs played on taus, taanpura, sarangi and tabla.  Sponsored by the Sikh Education Council   www.rajacademy.com

Men of Unitus Men of Unitus wasted their lives screwed up on cheap puppies, kittens, babies and ice cream.  Wasted? No, they just love the sound of fresh blubbing.   www.menofunitus.co.uk

Mganga Jazz/Funk band fuelled with energy and featuring the talents of the trumpet player from Motimba.  The next generation lay down soul, Afro-Latin and jazz funk classics.

Ministry of BhangraThe Ministry of Bhangra with a tour de force of their own imitable style.

Monkey T New and classic alternative tunes from Blunt Beats first layd, Monkey T   www.bluntbeats.com

Mr Maker & Life Intensive Local Dj bringing the top hiphop joints from the 90's to 2005   www.mistermaker.com

Mr Oyediji Samuel Oyediji is an innovative artist who succeeds in combining the modern and ancient.  His music is steeped in African root music, culture and history, but is influenced throughout by internationalism and technology. 

Using a hand drum and his voice, Oyediji layers his sound with a sampler, creating sounds that build from simple layering to complex juxtaposition of recorded elements over which he sings and drums — filtering "world music" through modern electronics.  Incorporating elements from Nigeria, Latin America and ancient African languages he creates a genuinely international sound with a timeless feel to it. 

The skill and precision of Oyediji's layering, his wonderful rhythms and melodies and his amalgamation of ancient and modern create a wonderful and unique experience — world folk enhanced by technology.   www.oyediji.com

Mr Please A groovin' rhythm section, fiery horn section and soaring vocals.  You won't be able to resist the urge to dance.

Mundo Pequeno Salsa, samba, jazz, world & latino.  Fun, bright sunny music from Mauritius, Brazil, Cuba, Italy.  Horns, percussion, Mauritian and Sri Lankan dancers…   www.mundopequeno.fsworld.co.uk

Munroe's Revenge Traditional American Bluegrass Band led by Dave Plane on Guitar and Vocals — who has been big on the scene since the 60s.  The lineup is completed by Banjo, Double Bass, Fiddle and Mandolin.

My Pet Junkie Booked for keeping the rain away for so many years, MPJ play the most hummable of tunes and disguise them with incredible invention and innovation.   www.mypetjunkie.com

Nik Turner's Galakticos Nik Turner, a founder member of Hawkwind and his (flexible) band play (according to Nik) 'hot funk, for all youse hipsters, flipsters and finger- poppin daddies, and cool latino licks for the ladies, music with a sense of class, like a guy that knows how to treat a dame gotta have, and make ya wanna dance, go wild, rico mambo, get funked up'.
So, there you have it — saxes, flutes, soul band to circus orchestra, space funk to 60s Ska, inner city unit to busking cool groovy music on the streets of Cardiff and Mexico city — all from Nik's Galaktikos.  We think the band will have 6 members, (including Nik, Gordy and Meurig) but Nik may well bring along others and if the press release is anything to go by this should be an act simply not to be missed.  The press release notes "weird, eccentric, enigmatic, esoteric, mumbo jumbo, cool, groovy, latin jazz".   www.nikturner.com

Nookie & MC System A masterclass in how Drum 'n' Bass should be played — tight and funky!   www.strictly-digital.com

Ollie Moore Solo saxophone meditation — I've always loved the freedom and spontaneity of free improvisation.  I also love melody and rhythm.  Much of this music came from the church.

One Step Beyond Cheerleaders Affiliated to the British Cheerleading Association.  Community based training run by the MBA Association for ages 5 — 19.  Call Tina 07870 268630 for classes information.

Ormost Ordinary A technical four-piece Power-Pop-Punk-Rock band from Hertfordshire.  "Better then Sex": Joe Henley (Borderline).   www.ormostordinary.com

Parisian Swing Parisian Swing play in the style of the famous hot club of France.  Lineup consists of two guitars, a violin and a bass.

Parnassus Performance Joy Chance, Chris Ripple and the wordslingers of Stevenage's own premier performance poetry group host the arcadeclectic stage…  where nothing is impossible!

Pathology Local party rock phenomenon with a selection of catchy tunes that you'll be singing for weeks.  They rock out every time.  Every single time.   www.pathology.cjb.net

Paul Scourfield Squeezebox maestro Paul Scourfield will get you jigging and grooving with traditional tunes and songs from England, Ireland and beyond.   www.mad-river.co.uk

Paul Watson Singer/songwriter who has toured the UK and USA extensively — first solo album is due for release in October.  Plays guitar and piano-based songs.   www.c-fieldstudios.co.uk

Pete Barrett 'acoustic blues folk rock n' roll'  

Pete McAllen Singer songwriter from North Hertfordshire, began life as an acoustic soloist in May 2004.  Pure vocals over energetic guitar playing.  

Phat Controller After leaving "Dot Hardcore" Aidan has concentrated on writing full on psychedelic trance, fusing funky rolling basslines, dark chunky riffs and wizzy psychedelic noises.   www.phat-controller.da.ru

Piefinger A quirky mix of upbeat, modern folk tunes with a twist of melancholia, sweet acoustic melodies and sweeping harmonies, with violin and electric bass.    www.piefinger.co.uk

Prayers For Peace Everyone is invited to join a silent prayer for peace.

Project Adorno Electronic beat poetry duo.  lo-fi, hi-tech odes to daleks, libraries and London underground.  Kraftwerk meets the Krankies at a Leonard Cohen gig…

Rachel Pantechnicon Cat fixated children's author and amateur historian.  The best dressed woman on the spoken word circuit.  Glastonbury festival poetry slam champion 2004.

Ratpigeon Ratpigeon are an original musical blend of extreme pop, obscene punk rock, loungecore and 80s rock who write songs on subjects other bands dare not.   www.geocities.com/ratpigeon2003

Redmaxx An intense yet tuneful indie / punk racket is on offer from these ROTW regulars.  Quirky, noisy and great fun   www.redmaxx.net

Rev. Michael Roden & Rev. Charmaine Sabey Your hosts for the festival in St Mary's Church

Rhythms of the City Rhythms of the City is the samba bateria (street percussion band) of the F-ire Collective and of City University music department — a percussion band made up of professionals and students with a real sense of fun.  Thumping out Rio-Style samba with a twist of West-Africa, Cuba, Funk and Samba Reggae.

Rhythms of the City performs with anything from, 5-55 players — singers, dancers, brass section, guitars and, of course drums, and a myriad of percussion instruments.

The bateria are drawn mostly from London music colleges and university music departments (RAM, RCM, Trinity, Guildhall, City, Middlesex), the band is the outdoor expression of today's multicultural London life.

Rhythms of the City has performed all over — Notting Hill Carnival, WOMAD, Respect, Coin Street, Rhythmsticks, Thames and Islington festivals, Cargo, Carnaval del Pueblo, Pride, Shepherd's Bush Empire and the Royal Academy of Music.    www.f-ire.com

Richy Pitch & Tukka Local lad Rich is probably one of the biggest Hip Hop producer/DJ's in the UK.   www.richypitch.com

Rob Lights STS…Free Party…Free People…Free Future

Robert Maseko and Congo Beat Robert Maseko is part of the new wave of Afro world master music creators, researching, re-interpreting, insipiring and enriching the African hip-swinging music at its deepest roots.  With his band the Congo Beat he is going back to the Afro — Rumba roots that so entranced the entire continent and the world by adding touches of reggae flamenco, zouk, salsa and cubano twisting it to a new Afro pop rumba soukous style.  Maseko claims that in this all, the common denominator ingredient is originally in the heart of Africa "The Congo Beat" …

"It's time to let everything go and dance to the CongoBeat."

"The wonderful lilting rhythm of Robert Maseko and The CongoBeat had us all up on our feet.  It's shimmering pop with a very understated beat that gradually ropes you in."  www.robertmaseko.com

Roz & Nick The crowd's favourites from the Silver Moon acoustic stage will defy you not to tap your feet…   

Rufus & Co. On its way, Funky soul band of pro/star musicians, brought together by Rufus Stone, singer-songwriter of original songs encapsulating his personal life experiences with world issues to inspire all.

Sally Clay Accomplished,sensitive singer/pianist with a stunningly broad repertoire of jazz standards, love ballads, soul classics, original material and show tunes.  

Salsa with And123 An excursion into the Latin side of funk.   www.and123.co.uk

Sentinal A new breed in melodic power metal.  Twin lead guitar, keyboard and vocal harmonies, laid on a thundering rhythm section.  Debut 4-Track EP available now.   www.sentinal-metal.com

Shade Of Blues A packed stage and some great dance grooves as Daniel, Luke, James, Verity, Steven, Yusef and Peter create a beat that speaks to the feet.

Shard You wait for ages for glamorous pop stars to come along, and then five come along from Hitchin all at once! Shard are a Hitchin band whose metal disco art pop has captured hearts beyond the town.  Following the release of their first album InPerfection, Shard toured the UK last year and awoke to 2005 to find their music being blessed by the London Emissary of the Dalai Lama — honestly! As band member Laurence said 'Even when life's a bed of roses, thorns, like shards of glass, lie deeper still'.  You have been warned!   www.shardmusic.co.uk

Sir Walter J. Wallis Your host for the Market Place Stage.

Siyaya Siyaya are an African group that combine music, dance and theatre to produce striking and thought-provoking shows.  Coming from the Makokoba Township, (Bulawayo's oldest township) they started in 1989 as the Nostalgic Actors and Singers Alliance but 10 years later rechristened themselves Siyaya — 'Only Move'. 

Siyaya reinterprets and brings to life traditional Zimbabwean tales, music and dance, through musicals and plays.  Their music is about telling people their lives — it's happiness and sadness, and their dance, though contemporary, is based on original Zimbabwean tradition.  Siyaya are a breathtaking dance company not to be missed.   www.siyaya-arts.com

Smokin' Dick Burns A large drunken buffoon with a guitar.  He's suffered for his art and now it's your turn !  

Sons of South Live set from Luton based Hip Hop Cru  

Soul Town

Spandex Ballet If Simon and Garfunkel discussed the state of the world with Richie and Eddie from 'Bottom' they'd probably conclude that Spandex Ballet were its saviours.    www.spandexballet.tk

Splittin Rocks Five piece Celtic rock band featuring electric fiddle and whistle, includes traditional tunes and Irish covers, fast and furious!

St Mary's Church Choir The resident choir of St Mary's Church reclaim the space after the weekend's festivities with a programme of choral and organ music from the Anglican Choral Tradition.

Steve Dean Haunting guitar loops and songs that take you to faraway places (Some good, some not so good).  Sit back, close your eyes and drift away…  

Stig STS tekno needs no introduction in this area.   

Suburban Entertainment DJ's G-One, Digga-d and spyro playing the funkier side of R 'n' B.  Sweetfm 89.4.  

Sukhi Rayat's Tabla Rhythms Sukhi Rayat will perform with 6 young Tabla players.  Sukhi is a well-known name in ROTW and has appeared regularly since 1992.  

Tabeeya 'Raqs Sharqi' Dance Collective Traditional and contemporary Egyptian dance, performed with passion.  The dancers are experienced performers and teachers who have studied extensively in the UK and Egypt.    www.raqssharqi.co.uk

Tez Stunning writing ability, vocal and guitar playing to boot.  Tez produces a truly poetic sound that is sultry, sexy and seductive!  

The Acoustic Project Featuring the vocal talents of Fran, accompanied by Jenny and Adam on guitars.  A relaxed fresh take on acoustic songwriting and deliveingr strong, melodic tunes.

The Addictive Dholis Anil Toora, Ricky Kooner, Dalbir Gill, Daniel Buttar, Gurdeep Jandu and Hardip Jagpal learnt to play Dhol from Anil Bhagwat at the Ravidassia Community Centre and have participated in many programmes across local venues.   www.addictive-dholis.tk

The Burning Bush Exuberance, defiance, celebration and ribald wit all come together on the emotional rollercoaster ride that is a Burning Bush performance.  Combining foot-tapping klezmer, exotic Arab-influenced dance music from the old Ottoman world and haunting, mystical ballads of the ghetto, The Burning Bush cross cultural boundaries with their uninhibited brio in music both timeless and topical.  Featuring the amazing voice and sinuous violin of Lucie Skeaping and the breathtaking, unbridled virtuosity of clarinettist Ben Harlan, this multi-talented sextet presents music that is impossible to resist.    www.theburningbush.co.uk

The Cream Of Young Jazz A group of young musicians progressing to major conservatoires in London to study jazz on a four year degree course.

The Funky Monks The Funky Monks are a six-piece band which specialises in great funky / soul / rock covers amongst some of its own fantastic original material.   www.thefunkymonks.net

The New Town Centres The New Town Centres possess all the angular quirks and catchy hooks of the current crop of Brit bands breaking into the charts.  Bloc Party must be sh*tting themselves.   www.newtowncentres.com

The Otters A musical mixture with a dramatic edge.  Featuring Astronauts, Sell Outs + Dom & Craig.  Be very worried and bring a kazoo.   www.myspace.com/cillablack

The Shivers An acoustic rock n' roll 4 piece from Cambridge, England.  They draw inspiration from everything from 1960's Beat Pop to bad assed Bluegrass.   www.theshivers.co.uk

The Silent Call Andrew (vocals) and Oliver Crocombe (guitar/vocals).  The WGC based acoustic duo write and perform beautifully crafted pop songs.  Today Greg Cochrane accompanies them on percussion.    www.thesilentcall.com

The Sliders A raw authentic rockabilly band that combine Country and Blues to create that explosive sound heard in American towns in the mid fifties.   

The Vicious Cabaret WLTM broad-minded audience to share collection of folk, hip-hop, blues, rock, country and reggae tunes.  Must like singing, superheroes and have GSOH.  Hitchin-based but will travel.  

The Waterfront Like a mainstream refused with influences from emo, metal, hardcore, punk and soul.  Party music for punk kids!  

The Witness Channel Broadcasting boldly to bring you an addictive alternative, mixing a heady blend of live disco beats, spiky guitars and precocious melodies.  Tune in and turn up…

Tigerstyle Records Matt Tigerstyle and friends playing 25th century Soul music.   www.tiger-style.co.uk

Toque Tambor Hitchin's premier exponents of Brazilian street music.  This 45-strong percussion group play seriously fat grooves from the land of the Latino.  Ask about joining!!!   web.onetel.net.uk/~toquetambor

Trevor Hensley Original songwriter with a big acoustic sound.  Ranging from melodic folk to acoustic rock.  Written from the heart, his songs tell their own stories.  

Unwise Monkeys Six turntables, three mixers and a helluvalot of sweat!!!   www.djhansi.com

Virtual Biscuit Original Electro-Acoustic based Folk/Rock and Blues harmony band.  Songs are inspired by life, love, dreams, legends, and social issues.   www.virtualbiscuit.co.uk

Weightloss Six piece brass led Skacore band based in Hertfordshire, combining technical horn parts with impatient ska and heavy melodic punk, offering a stupidly energetic show.   www.myspace.com/weightloss

Zion Train Having just returned from a tour of Poland, Zion Train bring their pioneering dub music — alternative, DIY and fine roots reggae — to ROTW.

Zion Train began with Perch (live dub mixing), Molara (voice), Tench, Cod (melodica), Hake (trumpet) and Forkbeard (trombone).  Later the Dubdadda added extra vocals and Bigga replaced Forkbeard on trombone.  The live line-up is flexible, varying from Perch and a vocalist to the full band and guest vocalists such as Fitta Warri and Kenny Knots. 

Zion Train produce everything from music to magazines, CD-ROMs to Internet sites to sound systems, but specifically quality dub, electronic, and world dance music (eight albums in 12 years) of melodic songs, dancefloor beats and deep dub.   www.wobblyweb.com