Calexico - Summer Festival Guide

Larmer Tree Festival returns this summer, presenting the adventurous, the absorbing and the unforgettable, with an all-new programme of music, comedy, theatre, poetry and more across five days (13th-17th July 2016).

Set in Victorian gardens in the stunning landscape of the Cranborne Chase, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty spread across Dorset and Wiltshire, Larmer Tree is the quintessential party; an intimate and eccentric festival perfect for first-timers and experienced festival-goers alike.

Each of the stages are carefully curated by the Larmer Tree team, combining established favourites with newcomers destined for success. The final line-up will appeal to festival-goers of all generations.

Music headliners

Tom Odell replaces the previously announced Clean Bandit.

Tom Odell is returning to Larmer Tree Festival after a stunning debut performance in 2014. With hit tracks from his platinum album ‘Long Way Down’ and plenty of new material to share with the Larmer Tree audience, the Brit Awards winner will bring the festival to a close with true style.

With a Grammy, two Golden Globes, two GQ Man of the Years, three Brits, three Sony Radios and numerous other nominations and awards under his belt, we are over the moon to welcome Jamie Cullum to Larmer Tree 2016. The festival will once again present its attendees with a customarily diverse offering where electronic meets traditional, jazz meets folk.

Having wowed across the world Caro Emerald, with her infectious mix of jazz, pop and electro-swing, is coming to charm the Main Stage. The record-breaking Dutch singer is known for her style, and we expect her performance to be as timeless as she is.

Crossing global barriers as well as musical, Calexico’s international mix of artists is the reason for their eclectic releases. With a sound which adapts and evolves as the band visit new places, we’re excited to see the result of Larmer Tree’s infectious vibrancy!

Some significant new additions have been added to the line-up, promising a huge variety of sounds in the intimate and unique landscape of the festival’s Gardens setting. DJ and Producer Quantic combines the use of multiple instruments with elements of salsa, soul, funk, jazz and bossa nova, all performed by Worcestershire-born Will Holland. Top international reggae collective Easy Star All-Stars have also confirmed an exciting set at Larmer Tree. Renowned for their unique, dub-inspired interpretations of classic albums (including ‘Dub Side of the Moon’ and ‘Easy Star’s Thrillah’) this is a band not to be missed.

Mercury Prize album of the year nominee, Zimbabwean born singer-songwriter Eska also joins the bill, along with Columbian band Sidestepper, Sheffield duo Slow Club and the much anticipated Hot 8 Brass Band. Plus Stevie Parker, based in Bath and performing under the ambient electro pop genre, who has enraptured audiences across the South West with her powerful voice.

Johnny Lynch as The Pictish Trail and East-End folk group Stick in the Wheel, who are famed for using the sounds and culture of London life, from birdsong to sirens, in their music.

Also added, Larmer Tree are pleased to confirm returning festival favourite Steve Knightley, Louisiana guitarist Gill Landry and up-and-coming band The Little Unsaid, who will be performing tracks from

their hugely successful crowdfunded album ‘Fisher King’.

Poetry, Literature & Talks Headliner

Larmer Tree’s poetry and spoken word headliner is Dr John Cooper Clarke, who will be taking to the ARC stage. An original, performance ‘punk poet’, Clarke has toured with punk and reggae legends including the Sex Pistols, Elvis Costello and Joy Division, with his characteristic set of lively, rapid-fire, a cappella poetry.

Family Festivaling

Larmer Tree has an exciting special guest for the littlest festival-goers of 2016. Pop along and say ‘Ello!’ to Mr Bloom from CBeebies. There’ll be a bundle of veggie stories, gardening games and catchy Nursery songs for Tiddlers and Parents alike.

Even More Music

Gabrielle Aplin, with her melodious vocals and girl-next-door charm will be returning to grace the Main Stage as will Lau, the free-thinking visionaries regarded as the epicentre of the new folk boom. Between them, these two acts boast shelves groaning with awards, countless ecstatic reviews and breathless plaudits from excited audiences world-wide.

Four years ago, Jack Savoretti had had enough of scratching a living as an independent artist, of business bust-ups, of being touted as a soon-to-be star. Now, he shines as one of the brightest stars in 2016, recently completing a sold-out headline UK and Ireland tour which finished at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire and was rated four stars by The Independent. Afro Celt Sound System return to Larmer Tree this year to captivate the crowd, fusing electronic dance music with traditional Irish and West African music.

Launching in 2016 is The Chase, a stage championing the best in new music, showcasing artists such as Rozi Plain who will be singing individually as well as alongside the hushed horns and electronic textures of This is the Kit. Artists performing in The Chase are part of an eclectic programme of skronk jazz, space folk and twisted pop; from the acoustic sounds of The Wave Pictures to Cristobal and the Sea’s Southern Mediterranean tropicalia pop, with further acts including Melt Yourself Down and Hillbenders, the Missouri band who tribute The Who in rock opera Tommy.

The Chase stage has been hand-curated by the festival’s newest team members Todd Wills and Matt Aitken, music programmers behind Bristol’s home of music, Colston Hall. With an emphasis on discovering both emerging talent and musicians who deserve to be on your radar, The Chase promises to be a firm festival favourite.

Away from The Chase, Treacherous Orchestra’s musical gaelic ferocity and the lively foot-stomping blues from Dana Immanuel & The Stolen Band cater to the high-energy. Yet as always, songwriters and folk will also take a leading role in proceedings and Martin Simpson & Dom Flemons, Ethan Johns & Black Eyed Dogs, Sound of the Sirens and Fenne Lily are all expected to shower you with smooth rhythms, acoustic guitar and hair-raising vocals.

Larmer Tree always attracts performers from across the world like Rev Peyton’s Big Damn Band who come bearing Country Blues from Indiana, but this year the representation of eclectic British acts is astounding. From the hillbilly swing of Urban Pioneers and the dark jazz texture of The Chris Woods Groove Orchestra to Lady Maisery’s revival of the dying art of tune singing and the lively Caribbean roots music of Edward II, this year’s festival truly has it all.