Alchemy Festival have announced more bands for their 2014 line up including Ferocious Dog. Started as a three piece in the late 80's by Ken Bonsall (Lead Vocals/Guitar) and Dan Booth (Fiddle) and Ian Wagstaff playing Bodran (Irish Drum). Shortly after the band was joined by Dave Drury (Bass), Paul Newbury (Drums), Jimmy Carrol (Guitar/Banjo/Penny Whistle). The band split and reformed a couple of times in the early days, then following the tragic death of Paul Newbury in 2005, they were joined by Brad Drury (Dave Drury's Son) (Drums). Later they were joined by Kyle Peters (Guitar) and finally one of the showmen of the band Ellis Waring (Mandolin/Guitar) joined late 2010

The newer lineup lifted the band to a new level in 2011 with new recordings and some success at festivals giving the band some excellent exposure. With more festivals lined up for 2012 the future is looking very bright.
With their success has come new friends one of which is front man and singer 'Mark Chadwick' from 'The Levellers' who the band have had the honour to play with twice recently. When the band are not out on the road they can be often found out and about in their home of Warsop and the bands true home is 'The Black Market Venue' also of Warsop and part owned by Dave Drury.

Top of the requests for new bands was Culture Shock who have also been booked. “In the late 80s Wiltshire based Culture Shock brought a refreshing blend of reggae-driven bass, rollercoasting drums and punked-up ska guitar to an alternative scene that welcomed their original combination of danceable tunes and socially aware lyrics. Two hundred gigs and three albums later, they called it a day. Twenty-three years on, following the release of their 'Everything' CD box set, and with fans continually asking to hear the songs live again, previous members Dick, Jasper and Bill have got together with Alex on guitar - carrying on the spirit of Nige, who sadly left us in 93 - and are now back gigging again!”

These bands will play alongside the already announced Will Tun and the Wasters.

"Over the last couple of years they’ve bought the party at the likes of Boomtown Fair, Mischief and Rebellion Festival and toured with a bunch of great bands from the Punk/Ska scene who performed at Alchemy 2013. Friends of the band performed last year and couldn't speak highly enough of the Alchemy Festival vibe, their style will go down perfectly at the festival.

The sound is mix of Pogues influenced Folk-Punk, European Gypsy music, political hip-hop and rowdy Ska music to bring the party to! Our latest E.P "Unite & Charge" is a collaboration with French rapper MC Amalgam, this is the first single video released from it. 

Early Birds

After the success of last year’s Alchemy they fully expect to sell out early this year (and live in tickets will go pretty quickly!) – but recognising the current economic climate they are keeping them at £60 for another couple of weeks to give people a chance to get them at this great price - £20 under full price for an adult and a corresponding reduction for family tickets! These are going to have to go up soon and the next batch will be released at £70 per adult - still £10 under full price - but numbers are limited!

Art Grants

They are opening up the options for arts grants earlier this year to give people more time to be creative. They have had some great installations over the last couple of years and want to keep it going. Up to £300 for art that fits with the ethos of the Festival - low carbon, re-cycled wherever possible, tactile or involving people installations will always get preferential treatment.

Alchemy Festival 2014 takes place at Scholey Park, Conningsby, Lincolnshire between Fri 19th to Sun 21st September 2014 More news and ticket links here.