Fri 31 Jul – Sun 2 Aug tickets: 01738 621031 www.horsecross.co.uk
welcome A very warm welcome to our second Southern Fried festival – celebrating the very best in American roots music. If you came along to last year’s excellent inaugural event, you shouldn’t need much persuading to come back! If you’re a fan of the many strands of American roots music, then you’ll know this is a fantastic lineup of both established artists and exciting newcomers. And if you’re wondering what it’s all about then rest assured there really is something for everyone in this year’s lineup, whether your taste runs to country, blues, rock, soul, funk, singer-songwriters or bluegrass. We’ve packed in even more events during the weekend, particularly during the daytime, with workshops, talks, a family show and free performances. Take advantage of the fabulous ticket deals we have on offer and see as much of the festival as you can. We also hope you’ll trust us with some of the artists you’re not so familiar with – as well as getting a very pleasant surprise you will be able to boast you saw them long before they were famous! Whether you come for just one event or immerse yourself in the whole weekend, we wish you a wonderful experience and sincerely thank you for your support. Andy Shearer, Creative Director
1
Southern Fried ticket offers Big Festival pass £55; concessions £48 See it all: Los Lobos / Booker T, Lucinda Williams, Hayseed Dixie and their special guests, plus all the 6 wonderful acts who play the Late and Southern Fried club nights – we'll even throw in discounted entry to all other festival events and money off food. Access all vibes with the Big Festival Pass and save over 30%. Concert Hall pass £50; concessions £45 Just want to see the big shows? Catch Los Lobos / Booker T, Lucinda Williams, Hayseed Dixie plus their special guests and save 20%. Make a Night of it See Los Lobos / Booker T on Friday or Lucinda Williams on Saturday and stay with us for the Late and Southern Fried Club on the same night for half price.
Ticket offers available on 01738 621031
Southern Fried Food Throughout the weekend, Glassrooms café at the Concert Hall presents a delicious selection of classic southern and soul food – the perfect complement to the mouth-watering menu of music on offer. Festival Pass holders save 10%.
2
FRIDAY 31 JULY Los Lobos + BOOKER T
7.30pm: Perth Concert Hall £20; concessions £18 FREE with Festival Pass or Concert Hall pass
The word is very much overused in music circles these days, but Southern Fried 2009 kicks off with an extraordinary double bill of two truly legendary American acts. Los Lobos have notched a US number one single with La Bamba, won three Grammys, sold millions of records and shared stages with Dylan, The Clash and U2 while veering from blues, hard rock, soul, Latin, rockabilly, jazz, psychedelia and Mexican traditional music as the fancy takes them. “Los Lobos are one of the best live bands on the planet” The Independent
Soul legend Booker T Jones scored numerous hits with the MGs, including 1962s Green Onions, and introduced millions to the funky possibilities of the Hammond organ. He featured on countless soul classics in the Stax house band and has performed with artists including Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Bobby Darin and John Lee Hooker. With the all-instrumental Potato Hole, his first solo album in 20 years, he brings his love of muscular rock and soulful grooves together to stunning effect.
www.loslobos.org
“extraordinary, delirious… A joy all the more thrilling for being so unlikely, so unexpected, and so long in coming.” Uncut, May 2009
3
www.bookert.com
FRIDAY 31 JULY Late and Southern Fried Diana Jones I The Midnight Ramblers I The Felsons doors 10pm: Perth Theatre £12; concessions £10. FREE with Festival Pass or half price with Los Lobos / Booker T ticket.
Our late night club at Perth Theatre lets you hear some great live music in the intimate auditorium with the chance to rub shoulders with the performers in the bar.
Diana Jones 10.45pm Music of love, loss, and redemption – crystallised perfectly on her most recent album, My Remembrance Of You. “Increasingly compared to the likes of Iris DeMent and Gillian Welch, Jones just might be the best American songwriter most people have never heard of” Chicago Tribune www.dianajonesmusic.com
The Midnight Ramblers 11.45pm One of the most exciting young bands to appear on the US bluegrass scene in recent years, their instrumental virtuosity on bass, mandolin, guitar and banjo, wonderful harmony vocals and stage presence belies their teenage years. www.themidnightramblers.net
THE FELSONS 12.45am We’re delighted that Scotland’s finest country rock band is reforming for this year’s Southern Fried. United by a collective devotion to American roots music – from Hank Williams to Gram Parsons, early Elvis to Wilco – The Felsons have a distinctively widescreen vision of Americana. Add in a songwriter of Dean Owens’ rare gifts, and you have a band with few equals anywhere. “Songs that stand proud next to anything Steve Earle has written” Uncut
4
SATURDAY 1 AUGUST Bluegrass Banjo Workshop with John Sheldon
Bluegrass Big Sing
11am: Earn Room, Perth Concert Hall
with The Midnight Ramblers
£4; concessions / festival pass £3
10am – 1pm: Studio, Perth Theatre
The five-string banjo is the defining instrument of bluegrass; John introduces the key skills required for players of all levels of ability.
£4; concessions / festival pass £3
If you love bluegrass, or just love singing, this is for you! Learn the “high and lonesome” harmonies that make bluegrass music so special and finish with a performance alongside The Midnight Ramblers. No previous experience of singing or ability to read music is necessary. Age 16+ For more info contact Jenn Minchin: 01738 477722 or jminchin@horsecross.co.uk
Bluegrass big sing PERFORMANCE 1pm: Perth Concert Hall foyer
I
free
Songwriting Workshop with The Felsons
Bluegrass FIDDLE WORKSHOP with Alan Mairs 11am: Norie-Miller Studio 2, Perth Concert Hall £4; concessions / festival pass £3
Scotland’s foremost bluegrass fiddler leads this session which will introduce participants to the techniques and styles that create the bluegrass sound. For players of intermediate and advanced ability.
5
12 noon: Norie-Miller Studio1, Perth Concert Hall £4; concessions / festival pass £3
Singer Dean Owens and guitarist Calais Brown talk about how they work together matching lyrics to music, working out harmonies and creating guitar parts, before helping participants to complete a work-in-progress or a song they’re stuck on. A piano will be provided; bring any other instruments.
SATURDAY 1 AUGUST Bleeding Fingers & Broken Guitar Strings The Humble Hobos The Red Pine Timber Co. and Ian Hutchison 2pm: The Twa Tams
I
Free
Join some of Perthshire's finest country rockers in passing the time before Lucinda Williams’ eagerly awaited show. Expect “whisky fuelled country” from The Humble Hobos, gothic tunes of love and loss from Red Pine Timber Co. and some great acoustic southern and country rock from Ian Hutchison. www.myspace.com/thehumblehobos www.myspace.com/RedPineTimberCo www.myspace.com/ianhutchisonacoustic
Songwriting Masterclass
Bluegrass Guitar Workshop
with Mary Gauthier
with Austin Boggs
3pm: Norie-Miller Studio, Perth Concert Hall
3pm: Earn Room, Perth Concert Hall
£4; concessions / festival pass £3
£4; concessions / festival pass £3
This superb songwriter and highly individual voice on the Americana scene will discuss her inspiration and the process of songwriting with examples from her powerful body of work. A must-see for anyone interested in the art of songwriting, the session will also feature an opportunity for questions.
Austin, from The Midnight Ramblers, is one of the finest young exponents of bluegrass guitar on the American scene and will explain the key techniques and licks involved. For players of intermediate and advanced ability.
Farmer Jason 3pm: Studio, Perth Theatre
I
Suitable for age 2 upwards
£5; concessions / festival pass £4
Alt-Country pioneer Jason Ringenberg created “Farmer Jason” for his young daughters. Winner of an Emmy Award for Best Children’s Programme, come along and sing and dance on Farmer Jason’s farm. “It’s catchy, clever, funny, musically interesting, and definitely danceworthy. 10/10” New York Magazine
www.jasonringenberg.com
6
SATURDAY 1 AUGUST
Lucinda Williams
7.30pm: Perth Concert Hall £25; concessions £22.50 FREE with Festival Pass or Concert Hall pass
Named America's Best Songwriter by Time magazine, Lucinda Williams has won three Grammy Awards. Her latest album, Little Honey, is the ultimate expression of her unique voice, painfully honest writing and totally individual blend of country, blues and rock. “How good was Lucinda Williams’ performance Friday night? Crazy good. And sane good, sexy good, playful good, anguished good, angry good, cathartic good, brawny good, rockin’ good, bluesy good – head, heart and soul good.” LA Times, Nov 08 www.lucindawilliams.com
plus special guests
Buick 6 (USA) Buick 6 (USA) came together in 2007 as Lucinda Williams’ new backing band. They’ve now recorded their own debut album and are opening for Lucinda on tour across the world. www.myspace.com/thebuick6
7
SATURDAY 1 AUGUST Late and Southern Fried Mary Gauthier I Jason Ringenberg I Rancho Rebop & the Full Moon Howlers
doors 10pm: Perth Theatre £12; concessions £10. FREE with Festival Pass or half price with Lucinda Williams ticket.
Our late night club at Perth Theatre lets you hear some great live music in the intimate auditorium with the chance to rub shoulders with the performers in the bar.
Mary Gauthier 10.45pm Louisiana native Mary Gauthier has lived a colourful life that is reflected in her gritty, honest and compassionate songs which have earned deserving comparisons with Steve Earle, John Prine and Lucinda Williams. “Live, she is mesmerising. Her songs are a strange mix of half-spoken, halfsung talking blues: clever, often laugh-out-loud tales of addicts, victims and losers, of cheap motels and failed love affairs.” The Times www.marygauthier.com
Jason Ringenberg 11.45pm As frontman of cowpunk pioneers Jason and the Scorchers, Jason Ringenberg helped lay the foundations for today's alt.country and Americana scene. Now an acclaimed solo artist, his shows are high-energy emotional rollercoasters. “one of the most dynamic performers of his generation.” The Times www.jasonringenberg.com
Rancho Rebop and THE Full Moon Howlers 12.45am Some of Perthshire’s finest players perform bluegrass, Americana and western swing material in the vein of artists like Bob Wills, Asleep At The Wheel, Peter Rowan and John Prine. The diverse musical backgrounds of the band impart a unique flavour with touches of blues, soul, country, jazz and Scottish traditional sounds.
8
SUNDAY 2 AUGUST Soul Food Brunch with Peggy Brunache 12 noon: Norie-Miller Studio, Perth Concert Hall
I
£10; festival pass £9
Join us for some good old-fashioned southern cooking and relax over brunch as US food historian and archaeologist Peggy Brunache traces the evolution of soul food from its origins in slave cuisine and explores the deep links between black music and culture and food.
Stanton Moore Drum Clinic featuring The Stanton Moore Trio 3pm: Perth Theatre
I
£8; concessions / festival pass £6
One of the world’s very finest drummers, New Orleans native Stanton Moore’s unique style is firmly rooted in the Crescent City’s second line parade and funk tradition. For Southern Fried he has put together a very special one-off version of his world-famous masterclass that will thrill both drummers and non-drummers alike. Each technique he discusses and introduces will then be illustrated in a piece performed by his brilliant trio featuring Will Bernard on guitar and Robert Walter on Hammond organ. A regular on the covers of specialist drum magazines, Stanton wears his astonishing virtuosity lightly to create completely accessible music for all fans of rock, funk, jazz and rhythm ‘n’ blues. “an awesome ear-opening event!” Professor Dan Moretti, Berklee College of Music www.stantonmoore.com Goldrush Records presents
Southpaw | Buchanan 3pm: Salutation Hotel
I
Free
Perth’s own Southpaw bring you sweet country music to soothe and satisfy your soul. Now a quartet with Donnie McElligott on lead vocals, Southpaw are a potent musical force. www.southpaw-music.com
9
Buchanan was formed by songwriters James Fildes and Mark Wilkinson around a mutual love of artists like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris and Buck Owens. www.buchananband.co.uk
SUNDAY 2 AUGUST
Hayseed Dixie
7.30pm: Perth Concert Hall Standing £16; concession £14 Seated £18; concession £16 FREE with Festival Pass or Concert Hall pass
Hayseed Dixie have shot to prominence in recent years on the strength of a genius idea and a killer live show. These top-class bluegrass pickers started out distilling a potent moonshine of AC/DC songs then broadened their repertoire to include classic tracks from the likes of Queen, Aerosmith, Motorhead, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Their unique “rockgrass” sound has come full circle with some superb original material. “Their sheer velocity and deranged ensemble-playing somehow mirror the thunderous wattage of the originals.” The Guardian www.hayseed-dixie.com
plus special guests
Baskery Baskery are three Swedish sisters performing a highly original mixture of rockabilly, bluegrass, blues, punk rock attitude and sweet harmony vocals. “absurdly wonderful... irresistible.” Mojo www.baskery.com
10
Southern Frie d
at a glance
FRIDAY 31 JULY 7.30pm
Los Lobos / Booker T
Perth Concert Hall
doors 10pm
Late and Southern Fried: Diana Jones, The Midnight Ramblers, The Felsons
Perth Theatre
saturday 1 august 10am
Bluegrass Big Sing workshop
Perth Theatre
11am
Bluegrass Fiddle workshop
Perth Concert Hall
11am
Bluegrass Banjo workshop
Perth Concert Hall
12noon
Songwriting workshop
Perth Concert Hall
1pm
Bluegrass Big Sing performance
Perth Concert Hall
2pm
Bleeding Fingers and Broken Guitar Strings
The Twa Tams
3pm
Songwriting masterclass
Perth Concert Hall
3pm
Bluegrass Guitar workshop
Perth Concert Hall
3pm
Farmer Jason – children’s show
Perth Theatre
7.30pm
Lucinda Williams plus Buick 6 (USA)
Perth Concert Hall
doors 10pm
Late and Southern Fried: Mary Gauthier, Jason Ringenberg, Rancho Rebop and the Full Moon Howlers
Perth Theatre
sunday 2 august 12noon
Soul Food Brunch
Perth Concert Hall
3pm
Stanton Moore Drum Clinic
Perth Theatre
3pm
Southpaw / Buchanan
Salutation Hotel
7.30pm
Hayseed Dixie plus Baskery
Perth Concert Hall
Visiting us All venues are in Perth city centre just a few minutes walk apart. Need help finding somewhere to stay? see www.VisitScotland.com CAR PARKING Kinnoull Street multi-storey is a pay-and-display car park a few minutes walk from both venues. Open Mon – Sat 7am – midnight Sun 10am – midnight Charge from 6pm – midnight is £1
tickets 01738 621031 www.horsecross.co.uk