29 June 2015

Following last year’s pilot event, the second annual London Folk & Roots Festival has been announced with a line-up of diverse acts making it to London for two weeks. The Festival will run from 30 October to 15 November 2015 across various London venues. The 2015 Festival has already signed the following: False Lights – Sebright Arms, 30 October
 CC Smugglers – The Lexington, 1 November
 Ian Siegal (Pictured, image by Sam Hare) Unplugged – Dingwalls, 2 November Eddi Reader – Union Chapel, 3 November
Ward Thomas – Lexington, 3 November The Grahams – The Borderline, 4 November Aoife O’Donovan – Bush Hall, 4 November
 Emerging Talent Night – The Islington, 4 November Andy McKee – Union Chapel, 5 November The Young’uns – Slaughtered Lamb, 6 November
 Emerging Talent Night – The Islington, 11 November Cara Dillon – Union Chapel, 12 November Sam Lee – Oslo London, 12 November One of the organisers, Dave Messer, said: “This year’s festival follows a pilot festival in 2014, which was a huge success. All shows in 2014 saw terrific attendances, plus many sellouts. Even Ed Sheeran graced the Bush Hall stage to play alongside For Vance. “London Folk & Roots Festival is the most exciting folk festival in the Capital this year and brings with it a wonderful array of emerging, new and established talent.”

The annual UK Music Video Awards returns for the eighth year, offering music video makers the chance to gain recognition for their work in areas across the filmmaking board. Now open for entries via the dedicated website at www.ukmva.com, the Awards accepts submissions from across the globe in production, direction and post-production as well as a range of technical skills. This year, there will be two brand new awards – for the Best Music Documentary and the Best Lyric Video, the latter introduced to recognise that the way music and videos are consumed is becoming increasingly important. This year’s Awards, which will take place on November 5, will be held for the first time at London’s Roundhouse. Steeped in history, this classic venue has not only played host to legendary musical performances from the likes of The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and The Clash, but in recent years has been home to some groundbreaking cultural events as well as a creative hub for young people in the capital. Now an event with global reach, last year’s UK Music Video Awards saw winners from the USA, Canada, Australia, France and Israel sitting alongside British talent. American directing duo DANIELS picked up Video of the Year and Best Dance Video – International. The big British winner of the night was Daniel Wolfe for his 8 minute epic for Paolo Nutini’s ‘Iron Sky’, which picked up the Best Pop Video title as well as the coveted Best Cinematography prize for Robbie Ryan. The UK Music Video Awards editorial director, David Knight, says, “At a time when the music video is more important than ever to the music business – as income generator as well as promoter of music – the UK Music Video Awards celebrates the artform. It’s all about the creative collaborations of artists, directors, producers, choreographers and a host of other talented people. Each year we get to marvel at music video’s greatest achievements and this year will be greater than ever.” The UK Music Video Awards 2015 is now open and accepting entries in over 30 separate categories, including genre-led awards, as well as specific technical and craft awards, and awards for individual producers, directors and commissioners. Entries can be made via the MVA website www.ukmva.com and the deadline is August 5.

Rosanne Cash, daughter of legend Johnny Cash, is to perform at an exclusive one night only concert. The performance will take place on 23 July at the Union Chapel, London. Rosanne’s new album, THE RIVER & THE THREAD picked up three GRAMMY’s in February this year for Best Americana Album, Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song. THE RIVER & THE THREAD features appearances by Cory Chisel, Rodney Crowell, Amy Helm, Kris Kristofferson, Allison Moorer, John Prine, Derek Trucks, John Paul White (The Civil Wars), Tony Joe White and Gabe Witcher (The Punch Brothers).