Here are a few words on the wonderful artists performing at the Moonbeams March FOLK Weekend!

Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston
Miranda and Rex have emerged to become one of the most sought-after duos on the English folk and roots scene. The striking combination of the flame-headed double bass player and virtuoso mandolin player have been described as 'Scintillating, sensitive and brilliant!' (Folk Roots).
Well known for the last eight years as a central component of Show of Hands, Miranda has an exquisite and spine-tingling voice, whilst Rex, with his exuberant and flamboyant playing style, has built a reputation as one of the finest mandolin players in the UK. With Show of Hands off the road for a year, the duo are embarking on an extensive tour of the British Isles in support of their new CD 'Sing A Full Song'.

Edwina Hayes
Edwina Hayes numbers Mike Harding, Chris While and Julie Matthews among her fans. Her beautifully written songs, charming stage presence and voice of an angel have won her a reputation as a true natural talent of gentle folk music. The 2014 Wintour support act for Fairport Convention, the title track of her album Pour Me A Drink was covered by Nanci Griffith who calls her 'the sweetest voice in England' and her cover of the Randy Newman song Feels Like Home was featured in the Cameron Diaz film My Sister's Keeper which has since had over six million plays on You Tube.
As well as touring all over the UK and beyond playing her own gigs, Edwina has in the past twelve months supported Martin Simpson, Vin Garbutt, Barbara Dickson, Phil Beer and Ralph McTell and will be touring Europe in 2015 with Kenny Spiers and Realtime.

Steve Tilston
Steve Tilston is one of our most celebrated song-smiths; widely recognised within the world of folk and contemporary music: the words, arrangements and subtle, quite superb guitar playing could be no one else.
The writer of the classic songs The Slipjigs and Reels, Here's to Tom Paine and The Naked Highwayman, has turned author. Steve has recently published his first novel – full of colourful characters All for Poor Jack is an historical tale set in Bristol and the New World and it's a mighty good read and has been enjoyed by the likes of Bob Dylan no less!

Ewan McLennan
Winner of several awards including the 2011 BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award. Ewan McLennan is an emerging folk artist that has been making headlines. His music combines traditional folk, with an inevitable focus on the music of Scotland, as well as his own self-penned songs that are receiving critical acclaim in their own right. BBC Radio 2's Mike Harding has said of Ewan, 'he sings beautifully, with great sincerity and great empathy, he's terrific!'. His guitar playing, described as 'stunning' , is influenced by the rigour and technique from his years of studying classical guitar, while retaining a unique and compelling sound in which his immersion in folk music is evident.

The Young Uns
With bags of charm, talent, and an abiding enthusiasm for traditional song, The Young Uns are making a big impact on the UK folk scene. Sean Cooney, David Eagle and Michael Hughes bring freshness and dynamism to their arrangements of close harmony songs, both with and without accompaniment. Everything from traditional sea and working songs to more recent compositions is present in their repertoire, and is delivered with originality and flair.

Dan Wilde
Dan Wilde is an emerging singer songwriter whose lyrics have been described as "deeply personal, introspective but also engrossing and charismatic" (Folkwords). For over 5 years Cambridge-based Dan has been performing his own brand of richly observed folk all over the UK while also developing his reputation abroad.
His second album 'Fire In Mind' was released in 2013.

NE3Folk
NE3Folk are a band on a mission. Chris, Cathy and Victoria have been playing together for the past 3 years and in this time have toured Norway twice, made a big impression on the festival scene and have been working hard this winter to produce their debut album "Show us Your Reds". The music they produce is an intriguing mix of self penned music and modern interpretations of traditional tunes. The complex and intertwining arrangements have been described as intelligent and beautiful; a band guaranteed to give a dynamic performance.

Hissyfit
Linda Kelly and Hazel Richings are a close harmony duo who met in Beverley at the beginning of the century! Linda, from the Midlands and Hazel from Central Scotland, enjoy every opportunity to sing. Linda has written many songs, some inspired by the demise of the East Coast fishing industry and related tales and Hazel has added her deep harmony. After singing a capella at the White Horse Folk Club in Beverley and visiting Warwick Folk Festival they've been invited all across England to Festivals.. and to Folk clubs in Chichester, London, Birmingham, Teeside and Devon, up to Edinburgh, as well as the Shanty UK Easter festival at Ellesmere Port. With 3 CDs and a variety of traditional, original and contemporary songs their ever-growing repertoire is delivered with their uniquely blending voices.

Wendy Arrowsmith
Wendy was born in Glasgow, Scotland and has been singing all her life.
She has been performing on the folk music scene in North Yorkshire since 2007, but is now recognised across the UK as a talented songwriter and interpreter of traditional folk song. She plays guitar, mandolin, accordion, whistles and bodhran (tho' not simultaneously!) She has won songwriting competitions at Saltburn 2007, Scarborough Seafest 2008, Ryedale Folk Festival 2009. She released her 3rd CD "Life, Love & Chocolate" in May 2011 to great reviews. Wendy also does singing workshops with children in schools and at festivals using the Kodaly concept of promoting musicality in children using familiar folksongs and playground chants.

Kirsty Bromley
Kirsty Bromley is a singer, dancer, teacher and performer of folk music within the English tradition.
She has been in choirs & musical ensembles from a very early age and much of her formative years involved immersion in the Brass Band tradition. This enabled her to make the transition to the 'other' English tradition, a journey which has been rich, eventful and which continues to challenge her. In 2010, drawing on her considerable musical experience, Kirsty recorded trumpet & backing vocals on Pete Coe's album 'Back Bone' performing along side Chris Coe, Jon Loomes, Michael Beeke and John Adams. She also played with Eliza Carthy, Doug Oates, Matt Quinn, Tom Wright, Dogan Mehmet and Nigel Holmes in the Eliza Carthy Motown Ceilidh Band at Whitby Folk Week in 2010 and Sidmouth Folk Week 2011.

Nick Rooke Band
Nick's musical roots are in the Irish and American folk traditions, and these influences are clearly apparent in his original songs. He and his band seamlessly blend these elements with a 'rock' feel and vigour, resulting in a high energy, infectious performance that always leaves the crowd wanting more.
"Nick is clearly a musician with talent to spare"   PLAYMUSIC MAGAZINE
"Nick's greatest gift as a songwriter is his ability to create the unexpected"   AMERICANA UK

Andy Stones
Andy Stones is a singer songwriter originally from York, but now living in the East Riding. Best known for his intricate yet melodic guitar playing, and soulful lyrics, Andy has made numerous appearances at various Folk Festivals around the region. He takes his influences from the likes of Paul Simon, Clive Gregson, John Martyn and Suzanne Vega and has just finished recording a new three track EP which will go on sale at Moonbeams on Friday 7th March.