Wychwood Festival announces Comedy lineup and more

As a regular face on '8 Out Of 10 Cats', 'Would I Lie To You?' and many more the BAFTA nominated Michael Legge will perform alongside 'Gloucestershire's number 1 diabetic comedian' Jon Wagstaffe and hotly-tipped student funnyman Jamali Maddix on day one. Making his name on both sides of the Atlantic Irish-born Keith Farnan and Edinburgh fringe regular Mitch Benn keeps the laughter rolling alongside musical comedian George Rigden, Russel Howard's Good News regular Jarred Christmas and the interactive comedy of Howard Read. New up-and-coming talent Jenny CollierJack HealSam Chaplin,Becky Brunning and many more will also keep the Wychwood audience in stitches throughout the weekend. 

Further musical additions to this year's Wychwood have also been announced. With a performance on Later With Jools Holland and a release on the esteemed Africa Express label, Songhoy Blues will perform their debut show on the main stage while Josephine & The Artizans will showcase their unique 'Hip-Hopera' over at the Ecroticity Big Top alongside 3-piece Pocket Club. Citing inspirations ranging from The Horrors to Fleetwood Mac, Object Object take residency on the main stage while Coventry four-pieceQuarry and Leader will perform at the Big Top and the Hobgoblin Stage. 

Wychwood's Pomme Stage has been revealed, featuring some of the finest local talent in association with the University of Gloucestershire. Heading up the stage across the weekend will be the likes of alt-rockers All Ears Avow, Cheltenham's own Spice & The Readies, experimental hip-hop trio SPOILS and former busker and rising singer-songwriter Ben Cipolla. Also appearing will be brooding songstress Gigi St. FallowBobby ScaifeKatie CollinsMegan TimmsJoe BuckinghamDan Walton and Maxine Stacey from Cheltenham and from the Black country comes Neil Morris and David Young.

Adding to the exciting literature programme on display at Wychwood comes yet more esteemed writers set to educate and influence on the Children's Literature Stage. Author of 'Twelve Minutes to Midnight' and 'Shadows of the Silver Screen', Christopher Edge will share his tales alongside Roald Dahl Funny Prize winning author Philip Ardagh and the writer of the 'Compton Valance' series Matt Brown. The feline friendly Anna Wilson, Waterstones Children's Book Prize winner Steve Anthony and 'The Grunt' and 'The Grouch' author Tracey Corderoy will also be on hand to inspire the children and adults of Wychwood. 

Created in 1996 to provide clean, green and renewable energy for all, Ecotricity's founder Dale Vince will debate the importance of sustainable green energy with organic food supplier Guy Watson of Riverford. Chaired by the BBC One Show and Observer journalist Lucy Siegle the topics up for discussion include the sustainability of Energy, Transport and Food, three very important topics that will undoubtedly make for an informative and inspiring debate. 

Riverford founder Guy Watson said: “I’m happy to be taking part in the ‘Green Britain Chat’ this year at Wychwood. We’ll be talking about a whole bunch of things we can do towards helping Britain be great and greener. I’ll be focusing on the Food side of things, with organically grown food being an important part of this; I can talk for ever about vegetables until someone tells me to shut up; fortunately my fellow panellists talk can about our Energy and Transport if they can get a word in; plus the importance of making space for Nature!”

New for 2015 Wychwood Festival will this year be taking festival-goers back to a time that was both glamorous and gritty. On one side there were the dive bar dwelling anti-establishment anger of Sex Pistols, on the other the decadent sounds of Donna Summer and thew exclusivity of Studio 54. When it comes to Punk vs Disco, which side will Wychwood festival-goers choose? Wychwood is inviting revellers to release their inner-anarchist or dancing queen to create a sense of Saturday Night Fever on Cheltenham Racecourse.

FESTIVAL LINE-UP

MUSIC
Ladysmith Black Mambazo / UB40 – Ali Campbell, Astro, Mickey Virtue reunited / Boney M
The Undertones / Justin Fletcher / The Proclaimers / Craig Charles / Andy Kershaw / Dreadzone / Basseskou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba / Mad Dog Mcrea / Dr & The Medics / Songhoy Blues / The Outcast Band / The Going Goods / Talk In Code / A Way With Words /  The Edwin Starr Band ft. Angelo Starr / Electric Swing Circus / Rusty Shackle / Pocket Club / Ghostpoet / Lucy Rose / Mt. Wolf / Plastic Mermaids / Fickle Friends / Monsieur Doumani / The Wonder Stuff Acoustic / Darlia / Demob Happy / TED ZED / Black Honey / Palace / Zak Abel / Lanshapes / Syd Arthur / Henry Green / Hunter & The Bear / Loud Mountains / Cooper Black / Object Object / Josephine and the Artizans / Sophronie / George Montague / Danni Nicholls / The Black Feathers / John Adams / Grace Palmer / James Michael / All Ears Avow / Spice & The Readies / SPOILS / Ben Cipolla / Gigi St. Fallow / Bobby Scaife / Katie Collins/ Megan Timms / Joe Buckingham / Dan Walton / Maxine Stacey / Neil Morris / David Young

BBC Introducing Coventry & Warwickshire: Grassroutes, Rosetta Fire / Yes Sunshine / Reece Bahia /Quarry / Speak Brother / James TW / Emily Burns / The Commonjets / Joe Doloman

BBC Introducing Hereford and Worcester: Cantaloop / Ronin / Clark Carmody / Tom Forbes / Interior Castle / Crowsaw / 7shades / The Dale Von Minaker / Fictonian / Chase The Deer

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE FESTIVAL
Ali Sparkes / Petr Horacek / Giancarlo Gremin / Steve Anthony / Steve Cole / Chris Edge / Paul Strickland / John Dougherty / Anna Wilson / Karen Langtree / Tracey Corderoy / Philip Ardagh / Cathy Cassidy / Philip Adagh / Tracey Corderoy / Matt Brown / Tony de Saulles / First Draft

WYCHWOOD COMEDY IN ASSOCIATION WITH EFESTIVALS
Michael Legge / Jenny Collier / Jack Heal / Chris Turner / Jay Cowle / Jamali Maddix / Jarred Christmas / Becky Brunning / Sam Chaplin / David Jordan

Comedy in the Woods returns to End of the Road Festival

Set in a secluded glade in the woods around Larmer Tree Gardens, End of the Road's comedy stage is a big favourite, and this year's promises to be the funniest and most lovable lineup yet. Here's the full bill, with notes by the festival's comedy creator Sarah Bennetto.

Phil Nichol

Multi-multi award winning Canadian livewire stand-up and brilliant actor. Nominated for the Perrier, and then went on to win it a few years later! His first ever appearance at EotR.

Michael Legge and Robin Ince: 'Pointless Anger, Righteous Ire'

Their infamous grumpy men show will be a late show at EotR 2013. Both will also be doing an afternoon stand-up set during the weekend. Passionate, hilarious tirades, delivered with a warm heart and a wink.

Nick Doody

An EotR first for this incisive political comedian and writer. A critic’s favourite, once he gets on a roll, it’s a thing to behold.

Joey Page

Described by his friend, Noel Fielding as "A stylish comedian with a sonic imagination and a twinkle in his eye", time spent in Joey’s wonderful world will lighten your soul. As seen on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, this will be Joey’s first appearance at EotR. We are chuffed to have him!

Colin Hoult

A cavalcade of comedy characters that are some kind of warped genius. It’s no surprise he’s on every TV show going at the moment (from Being Human to Russell Howard’s Good News and Harry Hill’s TV Burp, and more!). Colin’s first ever appearance at EotR.

Tom Allen

Tom Allen is charm embodied. But don’t be fooled, there’s sharp wit behind the glint in his eye. Tom’s now famous spontaneous rant at No Direction Home Festival about his somewhat modest tent, the Vango Banshee 200, had people crying tears of hilarity. Not to be missed.

Sarah Bennetto

Stand-up comic and host of radio show, Mix-Tape, Sarah also hosts Storytellers’ Club. Sarah has been touring a new show since her last EotR, and comes prepared with a swathe of new jokes and wild stories in her satchel.

Stuart Black

Bleak, brilliant tirades about modern life. A whip-sharp wit, and comedian’s favourite. In many ways, Black, is a Dylan Moran for the anti-folk generation. First time at EotR.

Chris Coltrane

Chris’ ascent has been rapid for a reason: he’s very good at jokes and it’s obvious he cares about his fellow man. Irreverent, political musings, remarkable stories, coupled with sharp writing mean this EotR debut will be sure to impress.

John Robins

Compering one afternoon’s stand-up show. A terrific stand-up, who – as it happens – names all his shows with song references (including songs by Bon Iver and Godspeed You! Black Emperor). When he’s onstage, fun is sure to follow.

Robin and Partridge

Compering an afternoon show. This comedy duo bring to EotR their free-wheeling whimsy, with killer punchlines. Both clever minds, their sense of wonder and magic means there’ll be loads of clowning around from these two criminally pretty boys.

Felicity Ward
A hotly-tipped Australian stand-up and actor, in demand all over the world. With great and gruesome characters and heart-wrenchingly hilarious tales, she'll make you love her. This is Felicity's first time at EotR.

Storytellers’ Club

A selection of the best comedians (and sometime EotR musicians!) join Sarah Bennetto to tell their amazing tales. Always popular.

The music lineup at this year's End of the Road Festival is topped by Belle and SebastianSigur RósDavid Byrne & St Vincent and Eels.