Workshops

Those of you that have been to Alchemy before will know that they have a range of workshops both for adults and children that are educative, skills, community or practically based and all are ethical and environmentally friendly. They are determined to keep them free for children and hope to be able to keep them that way for adults as well.

They will be keeping with many of our old friends like the Earthbound Misfits and others but would be interested in any suggestions you may have for new skills, crafts or other types of workshops. Please let them have your suggestions!

Stewards they are going to need more stewards again this year. There is an application on the website here along with details of what is required of stewards.

Mobility Area Some changes this year in this area. They desperately want to maintain their responsibility to people who are less able than others and may need a carer, and will continue to allow a free carer provided that the required forms are completed and approved, but, due to the pressure of numbers, they will be restricting the mobility area to those who have difficulty in getting around the site. If that will cause you particular problems then please contact us and them and they will see what we can do.

More bands!

The Indecision creates their uniquely flavoured music with ideals (and love) firmly rooted in 1960s ska and rocksteady ideology. The British seven-piece combine elastic up-tempo rhythms along with a few narratives of life; the happiness and heartaches and the triumphs and troubles it brings, to create an energetic, purposeful sound to pick up your feet to. 'New Faces', released in September 2013 with Do The Dog Records, showcases a rich and refreshing blend of ska and rocksteady, recorded and produced entirely by the band themselves. Through three singers and a three-piece horn section, 'New Faces' gives a definition to their sweet and soulful sound, from the bouncy ska of 'Sweet Girl', to the spacious, solid rocksteady groove of 'Who Are You Dancing For?'. The Indecision's music creates an atmosphere that comes across in no better place than its natural live environment. 

Grand Old Ukes After battling it out in the final of the World Snakes and Ladders Championships™ in 2008, Chris and Duncan set aside their competitive differences to infuse the two greatestest of musical genres; Gangster-Euro-Pop-Metal and Grindcore-Electro-Folk, to form The Grand Old Ukes of Yorkshire. By the mid 1980s they had paved a whole new music scene in their home town of Sheffield, United States of Yorkshire, leaving many a crowd in a state of delirium and often shock. Superlative comments were often overheard after gigs such as; "that was ok," and "that wasn't as bad as i expected."The 2021 Eurovision song contest came and went, as did their endorsement deals with Um-Bongo, Goldman Sachs and Woolworths, so they decided the time was right to take their musical journey in a different direction

Spanner - you asked for 'em - they got them!

Spanner has been mixing politics and pleasure since around 2000, and we aim to still be at it when it’s time for dancing on the ruins of the empire. They are taking bookings for the after party now! Our sound is a small contribution to the soundtrack to revolution and we hope to inspire both much dancing and more direct action. We play militant, ska’d up punk that’s not just for entertaining “alternative” consumers or being part of the illusion of rebellion. Punk for us has to be more than noise and more than a hairdo. We want punk and punks to be part of a community in opposition and resistance to this murderous system which leaves everything it touches damaged or dead. We know that with our creativity and determination we can make a new world, and punk is about doing it now! We’d also very much like our music to strike fear into the hearts of capitalists, cops, bosses and politicians everywhere… if only they could hear the words! We love meeting DIY bands, gig collectives, subverters, squatters, rebels, resisters, renegades, revolutionaries and fellow trouble makers from all over. It reminds us that we are everywhere!!! We are always looking for gigs and festivals to play, so get in touch if you think you could do with a Spanner in the mix.

New York Brass Band New Orleans inspired music from the mean streets of York, North Yorkshire, UK. “A must-see, stomping genre-splicing brass outfit” The Guardian

The Soul Circle Gang, a fresh and innovative Leeds based band, brings together eight experienced musicians who weave elements of funk, soul, reggae, world and jazz into unique new sounds. Led by Lara Rose (who has previously sung with The James Taylor Quartet, The New Mastersounds, The Haggis Horns and Corinne Bailey Rae) The Gang are in their element live, delivering sparkling performances featuring energetic grooves, dexterous improvisation, soaring vocals and sweet harmonies. (Imagine Parliament fronted by Chaka Khan.) The 'Live In Session' EP, released in 2012, gives a taste of their dynamic live sound.

China Shop Bull play a lively 6 piece mix of ska rave and drum and bass, They have been on the festival, punk and party scene since 2006, releasing one album 'Rave To The Grave' and a new 12" vinyl on Tantrum Records. Playing shows in the UK and Europe with acts as diverse as Dreadzone, The Dub Pistols, Sonic Boom Six, The Skints, Pama International, Random Hand, Goldie Lookin Chain, Sicknote, Voodoo Glowskulls and Subsource. Building a fast growing following with their infectious sound and lively shows, China Shop Bull have previously been invited to festivals such as Rebellion, Boomtown, Solfest, Beats Not Bombs, Alchemy, Brisfest and Kendal Calling to name but a few.

Another from the list of bands suggested by you and were really well received last year! Now booked Ferocious Dog!  We are 'Ferocious Dog' from Warsop, Nottinghamshire. 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 You told us and we listened!

Top of the requests for new bands was Culture Shock “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 are alongside another new band – 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. 

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!) There are a  limited number of £70 available on the website along with family tickets (2 adults and 3 under 16s) at £185. They expect these to go quickly so gett'em soon!

Art Grants They will be 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. For more information and ticket links click here.