News / bristol musicians
‘Hidden music festival’ promises intimate shows and warm connection
Seeker festival is returning for the second year to a secret location in Dorset, and its organisers have plucked a handful of Bristol acts to complete their lineup which they say will deliver a weekend of high quality live performances to complement the “positive, communal experience” with “just the right amount of everything”.
Spearheaded by John Blakeley, the brain behind specialist folk promoters Ear Trumpet Music as well as the drummer for local festival favourites Sheelanagig for many years, the lineup offers some traditional music but leans more heavily towards global sounds and jazz, with the Bass Therapy sound system adding in late night afro, roots and tropical beats.
Alt-pop artist Holysseus Fly joins a dynamic lineup that includes This is the Kit, Dele Sosimi, the Madalitso Band and Daraa Tribes – phoot: Holysseus Fly
“Last year I started a festival in my village with a couple of people I met down the pub,” Blakeley said of Seeker’s humble origins.
“Having worked in festivals for the last 25 years as I wanted to create an event that went against the grain of the ever more costly large scale overstimulated model.
“Thinking of it more of a party with camping, our favourite bands and friends we somehow made it happen. Back again this year and we have some of the most amazing artists and performers I never even dreamed of booking on a big stage let alone on a farm in my tiny village.”
View this post on Instagram
From Bristol, Holysseus Fly‘s hyper-pop show will no doubt go big on costumes, and Waldo’s Gift bring their heavy, mashed-up experimental jazz-rock that they honed during live improv sessions at Gloucester Road’s Gallimaufry.
Solo artist Pete Josef is known for his heartfelt soulful jazz with pop and electronic elements, while Kai & Hollis will serve up some psychedelic indie-flecked old time and Kit Hawes is bound to captivate with his enchanting take on trad English folk accompanied by breathtakingly accomplished guitar work.
The Claybottom Jug Busters will open the festival on Thursday night after a communal supper and before a campfire singaround, and elsewhere over the weekend there are morning yoga and daytime craft workshops, a forest-side sauna, and a ‘Planet Purbeck’ programme led by the National Trust with glow worm walks, woodland games, wildlife tours and more.
“Total escapism awaits,” said Blakeley of the 500 capacity event. “Dancing, wellness, and good vibes included. We’ve ramped up the music this year with Dele Sosimi’s monstrous slabs of deep Afrogroove, the raw soul of the Breath and a soaring folk-rock headline slot from This is the Kit.
“If this is gonna happen every year, colour us blessed.”
Seeker runs from July 9-12 in a hidden location in the Isle of Purbeck. Find all information at www.seekerfestival.co.uk
Main image: This is the Kit
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
